Some good news for a change

Editor;

On Saturday, June 11, around 8 a.m., Pollution Solution was doing his daily Jomtien Beach cleaning and dog feeding and we never know who we will see that early; today was a priceless day.

We find that with all the bad news in the papers on TV it is nice to see some good news like children old and wise enough to realize that we “all” need to do our part even if it means picking up after others.

We start with 5 year old (Nin). He helps his parents on no school days. They operate their beach chair business on Jomtien Beach near Soi Wat Boon. Nin also takes time to help the Pollution Solution Group remove dangers from the beach. He is a very smart young man and like his parents understands the importance of keeping their area safe and clean for beach-goers, sea-life and our ocean.

The next area we were cleaning there were two boys digging for clams, named It, 15, and Nut, 10. We told them that they would have better luck if they removed all the litter first, the plastic, toxic cigarette butts, bottle-caps, styrofoam, bar-b-que sticks, cigarette lighters and other litter and that they would also be making it cleaner and safer for the clams and all sea life plus the beach-goers and it would look much better. We explained to them that by doing good, they would have better luck digging for clams. They both put their clam-jars and shovels aside and began to remove the dangers. It wasn’t long before two girls, Om, 14, and Pan, 10, friends of theirs, came along and also started to remove dangers. They all lived across Jomtien Beach Rd. at the Villa Navin place. We are very proud of all these children reaching out and showing elders what we all need to do.

Doing our part regardless where we live or visit, if you see a danger to a child, wildlife or our waterways take a minute or three and remove it.

All the wonderful children received literature to take to school.

The pollution Solution Group has things like this happen most days, when there are children on the beach, we always get helping hands just for the asking. If only adults Thai and farangs felt the same way. Some do, but very few.

If there were more adults willing to take a little time out of their ever so busy life schedule and take “just” 10 to 20 minutes, 3 times a week in their neighborhood, at the beach, park, lake, wherever, and set some examples, explaining why, to the children and asking them to help, the rewards are priceless. One is getting exercise, making a difference for the better and educating our youth at the same time.

KOTO Keeper Of The Ocean

Demon crazy

Editor;

Democracy is not a spectator sport. Honest fair-play and even-handedness are ensured by involved citizens who are full participants in the electoral process rather than casual sidelines observers. The real safeguards of a free and fair election are education, information technology and knowledge to choose wisely and promote sustainable human development. We can have anything we want and end up getting exactly what we deserve. Those who do not vote have no legitimate right to complain.

Democracy, socialism, capitalism, communism, totalitarianism - labels are for clothing not people who, like countries, come in all colors, shapes and sizes. S, M, L, XL: one size definitely does not fit all. The best fit means choosing or adapting the form and style of government that most nearly meets your individual desires and needs. Abstract ideas that may seem beautiful in theory too often prove to be corrupted notions which fall far short when actually put into practice. Better to simply cherish civil liberties within an openly flexible society that respects constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and just multiversity rather than perverse demoncrazy - or whatever you choose to call it.

Dr. Chanchai Prasertson

Thanks for help from Good Samaritans

Dear Editor;

On Friday night (June 10th) I discovered a flat tire on my motorbike after shopping at Big C South. I pushed my bike to the auto service center on site and asked for air. The shop was closed but the remaining man put air in and refused money. As I rode around the back of the Auto center the tire went flat again. There were two men from the auto center who came to help me. The men took the bike to a motorcycle taxi stand on Sukhumvit behind their store and a taxi man replaced the tube, put air in the tire and only took enough money for the tube. I was then able to get home. I am 66 years old and disabled. So many people complain about these people but I had an experience that I will not forget. Thais, indeed, have big hearts and show respect to older people.

Gerardus Schlotter, ret.

Pattaya crosswalk lights

Editor;

I really, really do not believe the city government, police, mayor’s office, etc., realize how much more life/limb threatening Pattaya’s streets have become since the (crosswalk) lights were installed. Twice, in the past two days, I narrowly escaped injury, or worse, by believing cars/bikes would actually stop for the red signal. It is very difficult to cross, swiftly, and watch 6 lanes of oncoming traffic. After the number 2 “miss”, I remained at the site, on 2nd Rd., just South of Central Plaza to observe.

Several times pedestrians duplicated my crossing efforts and suffered the same fate. Soon, if not already, someone will die and then meetings, too late as usual, will be held to work out solutions. Something must be done now and it is time for the Pattaya mayor, whose “pet project” the lights were, to step in and fix it or take the lights down. The obvious solution is the same for all violators of any law: increase, with proper notification, the punishment to levels that, financially/criminally, will force compliance. Raise violation #1 to 500B and the 2nd to 1000. The 3rd should include license suspension, vehicle impounding and, potentially, jail time.

How is this done - often we see notices of police raids involving, literally, hundreds of officers so the manpower is available. I saw a figure of 42 traffic controls with some 17 out of the city proper leaving 25 on Beach, 2nd, and 3rd roads. Assign an officer to each, full time, at least until the problem eases. There was a police blockade only 50 meters north of the light I observed but the officers paid no attention to light violators, just helmets. Police must focus on this potentially deadly violation.

Yes, I am aware that the mayor’s office and the police dept. are separate but someone in authority should be sent a translated copy of this message to take immediate action. If they can, and do, get together for “bed races”, hotel openings, plaza fashion shows, they sure as hell can do so for a problem that won’t “go away” by itself!

Don Aleman

Some good news for a change

Demon crazy

Thanks for help from Good Samaritans

Pattaya crosswalk lights