Amnesty’s success is because of do-gooders

Dear Editor:

After my Mailbag letter of Nov 11 about how Amnesty International is fighting against worldwide child abuse was published, someone posted a comment on your website calling me a vegetarian “do-gooder” and Amnesty International “a toothless tiger”. This despite the fact that in that letter I noted that an innocent rape victim in Saudi Arabia was spared a prison sentence and being lashed because of Amnesty International’s protest.

Numerous ex-political prisoners have said they would be dead or still in jail if not for Amnesty. And Amnesty will tell you their success is because of “do-gooders” such as myself who write letters and sign petitions in order to bring attention to human rights abuses. “One single postcard means a lot,” says Aung San Suu Kyi.

As for my vegetarianism, I read an article in an animal rights magazine which noted that if every vegan could convince just one person to become a vegan and then those new converted vegans could do the same, we would reduce the demand for animal products to the point where millions of fewer animals would be killed.

There is a tremendous difference between saying we can’t solve all the problems of the world or saying we can’t improve anything so let’s do nothing. I have more hatred for “nice” people who ignore injustice than I do for the people who commit evil acts. The prison guard who tortures prisoners or the slaughterhouse worker who tortures animals may not know any better. But people who know better and still do nothing about cruelty are the most contemptible people on earth.

Apathy, not cruelty, is what makes this world so evil.
Eric Bahrt

In memory of Rony Fest

I am very saddened by the shocking news of the untimely passing of my dear friend Rony Fest.

Rony was one of the pioneers in the Pattaya Real Estate market and loved life and lived it to the full.

My friend Rony you will be missed very much by all of us and your smiley face will be with me forever.

Rest in peace my friend.

All my love

Rony Fineman

President Nova Group

Rommel letter makes the blood boil

Sir;

The letter from PR (Nov 4-11 issue) makes the blood boil in anger and is an absolute outrage. He obviously knows nothing about the history of the SAS or Nazism and if he thinks General Rommel was not an infamous Nazi, he should go quietly into the next world. Yes, Rommel was a clever general who in the end was put firmly in his place by Monty.

To call the original SAS a hotchpotch of ex-cons defies logic and I suggest to PR he shouts that out in any pub in Hereford. Rest assured he would risk being garroted on the spot.

The SAS was formed by patriotic Scotsman Col David Stirling (DSO) who originally got together a brave bunch of guys around 1941 who fought the Nazis mostly behind enemy lines. They were not desperate people as PR suggests but devoted to defeating Germany on behalf of King and country.

PR, you check your history books - and in future get your facts right. Unfair to Rommel? I suggest you stop watching fictitious movies like The Dirty Dozen who are not remotely connected to the SAS.
John Dee (England)

Missing Miss International Queen Pageant coverage

Editor:

I looked forward again with anticipation to this year’s pageant but, alas, again was disappointed at the lack of available information leading up to, and during the event.

I was informed (including your newspaper) that the finals event would be televised on Channel 9 at 9 p.m. The Tiffany front office said it would be delayed and start at 10 p.m. I tuned in to Channel 9 but never saw one minute of the event! How did I go wrong?

Your newspaper and other sources said there would be “preliminary rounds in Bangkok”. To my knowledge, that was untrue!

A list of contestants was not available online until days before the event!

Although contestants come from usually 17 or more countries, Thailand has won three of the seven years! Which means a Filipina ladyboy has about as much a chance of winning as a Filipino in a boxing match in Thailand!

The talent show portion of the event was held at Central Festival. I was disappointed that they would charge for an event held in a public shopping mall! 800baht! Give me a break!

I hope next year maybe there will be better information available.

Note: Even the program was in error, stating that Miss International Queen 2011 was Mini Han. Korea! Wasn’t she 2010 winner?
Regards,
JB

V for Volunteers

Editor;

The overwhelming heartfelt supportive action response to unnatural disaster flooding was facilitated by the fervid determination of a compassionate army of passionate, tireless volunteers who sought to somehow make a positive energy difference in the beleaguered lives of unfortunate victims.

Mohandas Gandhi suggested: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service to others.” With no grand illusions about doing everything, but having an ardent desire to do something, others-oriented service can help reinvigorate the spirit, rekindle the soul and revitalize one’s anima.

Destiny depends less about what we get out of life and more about what we selflessly give. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Our moral responsibility involves envisioning how to keep making one small difference after another. Perhaps, once again, Gandhi provides the answer: “If you want to change the world, be that change.”
Dr. Charles Frederickson
Bangkok

Bad experience

Dear Sir,

My name is Richard Hayler and I am sending you this email to share with you the worst experience in my life that has actually destroyed it as well. I hope you can pass it on to your readers hoping they will not be as naive and trustful as I was. I am shortening the full story as it would take up to much time.

I am an Australian and have been here for about 8 months. When in Australia I was recovering from a serious shoulder operation, I had met a man approx 18 months ago when I bought an investment property in Koh Samui. He was the boss so I was led to believe.

Anyway, he suggested I should come over here and recuperate and he would help me out as such. As I was alone in Australia I decided to sell everything up and make the move (what a mistake it has turned out to be).

When I arrived he got me a place to stay and arranged for my retirement visa. Several weeks past and I thought how good this is, but I realised that I couldn’t survive on my money without working of some kind. It was then he put forward a proposition to me, totally legal but with a loophole in which I could make a substantial profit. Needless to say I am now bankrupt. I have lost approx 1.5 million baht - not a lot you might think but it was all I had.

He was supposed to meet me in Australia 3 weeks ago with my money but didn’t show. All I got was a stack of sms from different phone numbers stating he was on the run; apparently this deal was not as legal as I was led to believe.

With what money I had left ($2000) I have come back as a friend called to say she spotted him still in Pattaya. I will never get my money back as I cannot prove he is involved as everything was done the way he suggested as I trusted him whole heartedly, what a fool am I. I fell in love with this country a long time before this happened and now must leave the people I have made good friends with because I have no avenue to stay here. I stress to all people to be fully aware of who they associate with before any trust is shown. I have made a deadly mistake, one which will change my life forever.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Hayler

Pattaya is 15 meters above sea level?

Editor;

There is an interesting claim in last week’s Pattaya Mail (“AustCham flies to Hard Rock” PM 18 Nov.), saying that “Pattaya is 15 meters above sea level” and “which is why the Eastern Seaboard does not suffer from catastrophic flooding.” Interesting claim for a beach resort, especially one that is prone to catastrophic flooding every time it rains hard for more than 15-20 minutes. I wonder where the measurements were taken, up on Buddha Hill? Granted, the floods are usually gone within a day after the rain stops. But 15 meters? I think my roof might be 15 meters above sea level, but I doubt it.
Jay Sprinkle

Amnesty’s success is because of do-gooders

In memory of Rony Fest

Rommel letter makes the blood boil

Missing Miss International Queen Pageant coverage

V for Volunteers

Bad experience

Pattaya is 15 meters above sea level?