HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Leaders are there to serve us

British pension practice is clearly unjust, dishonest and illogical

Re: Paul Osborne death

Hotel experience

Labour or Labor Day

Construction on new road in Jomtien

Leaders are there to serve us

Editor;

In the Apr. 2 to 8 issue letters section, “Another Intolerant Thicko” joked about government regulating the amount of calories in food in the same manner as they have attempted to regulate smoking. It was all in good fun, but a few days ago I read in CNN where the U.S. government is planning on regulating the amount of sugar and salt in foods because of obesity and high cholesterol counts.

This is how it all begins and this is why I so resent attempts to control my smoking by punishing me with unfair taxes and insurance premiums.

It is no government’s business what its citizens eat unless the consumption of a given substance causes them to commit a crime. E.G. PCP, alcohol and driving, etc. etc. Someone needs to remind our fearless leaders that they are there to serve us, not to regulate us.

What happens with government is easy to understand. A given person becomes a government official and immediately thinks of his position as one of power, not service. He also desires his position to improve and if possible, to create a “Department”, so he can have as many employees as possible. How does he do this? He waits for some citizen to come to him complaining of a bad habit that one of his friends or neighbors has. He seeks out other supporters of the same issue and now he has a movement going. This affords him publicity and public support and soon he has pushed through another law and created the department that he wanted so dearly.

This procedure is repeated continually throughout government and the result is governments that are ten times the size they need to be in order to properly “regulate” their citizens. And the best part of this scenario is that taxes must be increased in order to support the growing bureaucracy. Taxes that are paid by the very people that are being regulated. And people play into this foolishness because they are seeking attention.

You tell me. Who does it hurt if a half dozen guys are sitting in a private residence playing poker other than some of the players?

Who does it hurt if someone sits in a park and smokes a cigarette, other than the smoker? Who does it hurt if someone eats too much salt or sugar other than the eater? Who does it hurt if a couple of guys place a bet on a game of pool?

And yet, all of these activities are now illegal thanks to the would be do-gooders of the world who are seeking attention.

Our personal rights are being infringed on with an increasing frequency and yet there is always a group of people available to support the infringement in the name of “tough love”.

People had better learn soon that the best thing we can do for each other is leave each other alone to live our lives the way we choose. If one were to trace the origin of the ills of the world, one would find that just about all of them begin when one person decides that he knows what is best for everyone.

Do we need movements for change or betterment? Of course we do, but we also need to use a little common sense, logic and the ability to extrapolate exactly where any such movement will take us. If we don’t use that common sense, I assure you that there is a government hack waiting somewhere for us to help him build his sphere of influence. The result of which will be more laws, larger government and more loss of freedoms. Unless I miss my guess, most of us who chose to move to Thailand did so because we saw a minimum amount of regulation, and yet, it is from the ranks of these expats that more and more “movements” are being devised that will supposedly improve things.

Jog your memories a little. Do you remember back when we were kids and we would go to a nearby vacant lot or field to play football. Those games are some of our best memories, but look what has happened to them now. Organized leagues with costly uniforms, paid officials and parents having fist fights in the stands. This is what happens when people begin to believe that they have the answer, but don’t have the ability to project where their solution might end up. Wise up Expats. Enjoy your life in Thailand and stop trying to “improve” it.

John Arnone
Yasothon

British pension practice is clearly unjust, dishonest and illogical

Editor;

It was most encouraging to read Mr. Gillet’s letter (23rd) giving publicity to the disgraceful policy regarding UK state pensions. The practice is clearly unjust, dishonest and illogical.

It is unjust because we all paid the same contributions and were never told that if we went to live abroad we would be unlikely to draw a full pension. It’s dishonest because every year more of our money is being ‘stolen’ from us. It’s illogical because increments are frozen in Australia where our Queen is still Head of State, in New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and Malaysia, whilst pensions are paid in full in the Philippines and Israel. No Minister or MP has yet been able to explain to me what the so-called reciprocal arrangements are. Perhaps Mr Kenyon could find out for us?

Des Gillet is correct when he intimates that a similar injustice affecting working age people would not be tolerated. What is needed is a National newspaper to investigate this matter and publicise it. Once the electorate becomes aware of what is going on the government may have to sit up and listen.

Michael

Re: Paul Osborne death

Editor;

My wife and I are very sorry to learn of Paul Osborne’s death, but we are very disappointed about the letters relating to his Thai wife. We have known Paul Osborne and Noi since 2004, and friends have known them for a couple of years before that. Noi has always been devoted to Paul (here I can hear the sceptics). We knew that Paul was very sick, having had heart problems and cancer to treat with the last few years. It was only a matter of time, Noi had only to wait to inherit. By the way, I believe Paul’s ex-wife in California has power-of-attorney once Paul is dead.

I believe that love can be found in Thailand. Not all the girls are there for the money. I have other Canadian friends in Pattaya who are extremely happy with their Thai wife.

Roger Currier,
Candiac, Quebec, Canada

Hotel experience

Dear Editor;

I refer to this week’s letter sent in by Brian Barwick, UK, who quite rightly feels upset with the expat owner of the premises in question situated on Soi 6, Pattaya, he has a legitimate complaint.

I have lived in this wonderful city for 15 years and I am pleased to say that most hotels, guest houses or pubs are run by professionals and the guests are treated politely. However; on this occasion it is apparently clear that we still have abusive and rude behavior from real life Basil Fawltys only on this occasion far from humorous.

I am pleased to hear that it will not put you off visiting Pattaya in the future but perhaps a letter or complaint to the Tourist Board of Thailand may help others to rid this city of the unscrupulous expats that think Thailand owes them a living. They should be named and shamed so other people don’t have the misfortune to experience this type of behavior of which is unacceptable especially in front of his own staff and other paying guests.

If I may add my own observations on the parting comments made by this English owner: “What do you expect this is Thailand” strikes me that it is time for him to revaluate his position here and perhaps relocate back in the UK, or at the very least take some lessons in hospitality management not to mention old fashion manners. Shame on you.

Kind regards,
Jason Hardwick

Labour or Labor Day

Editor;

Labour or Labor? Who cares? The official day is on Monday, so it’s a long weekend holiday. And, wouldn’t you just know it? There’s a stage at the end of my soi yet again, and the usual deafening din is blasting up from Beach Road.

Long experience of these events has formed what some may think a bizarre theory in what passes for the analytical part of my mind, and the theory was reinforced today when an American friend gave an account of a wander through the happening. He opined that the vendors in tented stalls clustered along Beach Rd were asking high prices. So who but well-heeled young people - the progeny of the privileged, ruling elite - would make up the bulk of attendance? And there is the essence of my theory which is that these cacophonous celebrations are designed to appeal to leisured under 25s whose taste in music is measured by volume over quality, and whose desire for material possessions is swayed by price before elegant discrimination.

There is one certainty. Foreign tourists or residents, of middle age or more, who make up the greater part of Pattaya’s spending visitors are repelled rather than attracted by the noxious noise of these events which so appeals to the indigenous disco-din dependent devotees who flock to attend them.

These mega-decibel abominations flaunt a complete lack of consideration for the serenity and convenience of residents and businesses in the audible area which is always extensive.

All people should have the right to fun, enjoyment and celebration but, Thailand, could you turn down the volume...by about 50%?

Mike

Construction on new road in Jomtien

Editor;

The construction on the new 2nd Road in Jomtien at the junction of Soi Wat Boon has again been ongoing for years. This is one very busy junction, yet the road surface has been left in a horrendous state, doing god knows what to vehicles, both private and commercial.

Do the powers at be not understand that it’s their duty to provide us with a decent road surface?

There is obviously a problem with funds for this road, (which is) understandable, but a little thought in making it easier for the public to cross the junction would be appreciated.

Matt Jomtien

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