HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Kudos to MLG and BT Insurance Companies

New entertainment center

Pattaya is changing

Chakri Dynasty commemorated

Frustrating police fines

Sad news at the Orphanage

Kudos to MLG and BT Insurance Companies

Editor;

After having my car smashed into by a maniac driving a tour bus full of passengers at extremely high speeds through a red-lighted intersection, I felt lucky just to have survived it all. I figured my car was a write-off and that full remuneration from the bus company would be forthcoming. Yeah, right. What was I thinking!?

The bus driver claimed brake failure, even though he was able to deftly stop his vehicle a mere 50 meters beyond the accident so he could try to flee the scene. And the real kicker was that the tour bus company had only the bare minimum coverage.

As a result, the paltry sum they offered to ‘fix’ my car, which included mostly used parts, meant that they were going to try to stick me with a heap of junk, most likely unsafe to drive and impossible to sell.

Fortunately, I had first class coverage on my car with BT Insurance, and my agent, Jack Levy, and his capable staff at MLG Insurance stepped up and took charge to right this injustice. Not only did they do their own appraisal of my car with all new parts, which was significantly higher than the original quote, but also said that they would allow the Honda dealer to make the final inspection. Appreciative as I was, I still sought a cash settlement instead, which they brokered to my satisfaction.

I would like to thank both MLG and BT for their invaluable service from start to finish, including their rapid response minutes after the accident and following through to give me closure to this fiasco.

Moral of the story: Be sure you have first class insurance to protect you from being victimized from those with only minimal or no coverage.

A Grateful Customer

New entertainment center

Editor;

If you are all tanked up after the bars close at 1 p.m. and feel the need for more excitement, a step in the right direction will put you on South Pattaya Road, the new entertainment center for Pattaya. If you drive Wat Chaimongkol will take care of your parking needs. (If you bring your dog or cat along do not drop them off to pee or poop.) After reaching the area head for the all night market where you can buy your grapes and prunes and be entertained by the “Music man”. He will take care of your listening pleasure until 7 a.m. There are sidewalk cafes across the street from the market that will feed you and supply you with needed caffeine.

Let us not forget that this loud and busy nocturnal scene was added to the already existing one occurring during the day. During the day megawatt machines take the place of DVDs. You might want to take this scene in also. Residents of the area are literally put out by all this racket.

Pattaya Ray

Pattaya is changing

Editor;

We have just spent a full 3 months in Pattaya. We enjoyed the many golf courses, the good restaurants and the beaches. City Hall seems to be on the right way. Overall Pattaya has been changing for the better. During the last few years we see many more couples from Scandinavian coming to Pattaya, which is less expensive than Phuket. If just the beach-walk would finally be improved and cleaned up! We also want to thank Meow and her staff at Diana-Oasis, who have made our stay very pleasant and were always friendly and helpful. We loved to stay with you. We will be back next season. See you soon, Pattaya.

Anders L.

Chakri Dynasty commemorated

Editor;

The article on the nine kings of the Chakri Dynasty is desirable, well done. Such features should be a once a month, say on the Thai history, Buddhism, influences of temple styles, at times even the dark side of political events and their background and how they were resolved. These are subjects which deserve the attention and education of foreigners living here on Thailand.

As this week, the deeds and services rendered by the various “Chakri Kings” is eminently important to understand how far and what change of times the country had to address through their royal leaders.

Thank you Pattaya Mail for your weekly efforts to keep the information rolling in.

FF - Nongprue

Frustrating police fines

Editor;

I am a New Zealand business man and spend a lot of time in Asian countries. I hold an APEC Business Travel Card.

I am married to a Thai lady from Khon Kaen. On Saturday 27th March we were driving to Pattaya. After passing through Nakhon Ratchasima on the road to Kabin Buri we started the climb over the range on the long decent I think we were around Wang Nam Khiao on a very straight good road. I was behind another car on the dual carriage one way road we were overtaking a truck and ahead we see 2 highway police flagging us down.

The officer came over and I showed him my car papers and international driving licence. He said I was driving on the right side lane and in Thailand you have to keep left. My wife spoke in Thai to him after I said to say we were overtaking. He said this is a 400baht fine. I thought this is a joke, but he insisted so I gave him 1000 baht note and he gave me 600 baht change. He had his ticket book in his hand and I asked him for a ticket receipt. He looked very surprised and with a little funny smile, but I insisted on the receipt. I produced my APEC Card he studied it, put his hand in his pocket and gave me 200 baht with a smile and walked off.

It would be a waste of time reporting this as it would be brushed under the carpet. I cannot imagine what the office would have charged me with if I had refused to pay this money. This will be interesting reading when published in the New Zealand papers.

Ken Devey
New Zealand

Sad news at the Orphanage

Orphanage children gather to say their final goodbyes.

Dear Friends,

The children’s dearest nurse, Gai, passed away suddenly on April 2, 2010 of heart failure at Chonburi Hospital.

The same evening, Pattaya Orphanage and HHN Foundation organized her funeral at Wat Nong Yai. Her body was cremated on Monday, April 5th at 1 p.m.

The reason for her sudden death is difficult to explain. She was very tired and went to Banglamung Hospital on Monday March 29th. That same evening, she was moved to Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. Her heart was not functioning well, she could hardly breathe and was put in the critical care unit. Being there for 3 days, the family moved her to Chonburi Hospital and she passed away on Friday at 4:50 a.m.

Please remember her in your prayers.

As always, thank you so much for your kind support towards the orphanage.

With warmest regards,
Toy
(Radchada Chomjinda)

The children’s dearest nurse, Gai, passed away suddenly on April 2.

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