|
A Dogs Life (15/08/2008 04:32:11)
|
|
Author: M.C.
|
|
The endless sight of stray dogs on the roads is getting way too much. I am a very big dog lover and can’t stand them being on the roads – especially when some drunken Thai man walks by to kick it just because it looks dirty and stands in his way. There is one dog in front of the apartment that I am staying in temporarily while I am in Pattaya that is abandoned by his family. Even though his skin is not nice anymore you can still see that he used to be a Golden Retriever. I feed him everyday but that is all I can do because at the apartment pets are not allowed. Late at night, you can sometimes hear him being attacked by some drunken person. This is awful and hard to take in because I can’t go out to help since I don’t want to get into any trouble with them myself. All I can do is pray that one-day this dog would be loved by someone and give him a good home, and show him the true meaning of the word “family” again. I just wish that there were some kind of community coming in to take care of something like this for these poor loving animals. When I rented a house, I have been trying to find a dog for my children. I went through some of the places that call themselves “dog homes” and wanted to adopt a dog but what I saw was “dog jails”. They didn’t care for the dogs and leave them starving and biting each other. There is no separation of the puppies and the older dogs so the puppies were starving because the big dogs ate all the food. Those dogs are also not cured. Actually, in my opinion, these places should cure the animals when they take them into shelter – like their skin and wounds for example. I was very disappointed with what I found. At that time I was told to go to the temples because that’s another place where cruel hearted people abandon their dogs. The monks could only give them food, an area to walk, play, and sleep in because there’s no budget to do more. There were so many stray dogs and cats at the temple than I imagined. And luckily, there I found two puppies, which I adopted and until now have grown into lovely adult dogs that have grown up with my children. I just think that if there is a good dog’s home here, that truly love and care for dogs in the right way, it would be so helpful to these dogs and nice for all dog lovers like me.
|
|
|
What Events (15/08/2008 04:31:30)
|
|
Author: Niels Colov, CEO
|
|
Hi there, sorry to rain on your parade but on your English TV slot you have ‘Events’ which scrolls down forthcoming events. You have obviously not noticed that unless one is a highly skilled speed reader there is no way that the events can be read. Good luck with your Media Group, I think you publicize too much crime and violence which does Pattaya’s image no good whatsoever, but that’s just a personal opinion, Pattaya IS sleazy regardless of whether you publish and televise the fact or not! Regards Richard Walton. Dear Richard, Thank you for your email. I have already noticed the scrolling was a bit too fast and asked the TV team to reduce the speed of the scrolling. I agree that we have many crime stories, but I also believe that if we are a responsible media we must expose some of the crimes here to push the authorities to do something about it. We are in fact only covering a very small percentage of the crimes in Pattaya. On the other hand I have a strong believe that Pattaya can develop to be a fantastic place to live, but everyone must do their part to make that happen. I spend most of my time to promote foreigner involvement in community matters. As examples I can mention: FPV Foreign Police Volunteers, Rotary and other service clubs, all the charitable events and support involving foreigners, volunteer teachers, Pattaya Think Tank, Sports activities organized by Pattaya City or other organizations and last but by no means least the foreign involvement in the PATTAYA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, a project that will change the profile of Pattaya totally. Kind regards Niels Colov, CEO Pattaya People Media Group
|
|
|
OUT OF CONTROL (02/08/2008 07:49:50)
|
|
Author: George
|
|
In the late 80s and early 90s I was a frequent visitor to Pattaya and got to really know the place well and like the place a lot. It was a place that had so much on offer on all fronts. Friends, those of you who plan to be in Pattaya today must be made aware of the dangers of Pattaya today. Pattaya unfortunately now has become a war zone of criminal activity. It is not the Pattaya of long ago where the only thing you worried about was the occasional overcharging for farangs at entertainment or food establishments. Today there are many criminal gangs who operate in Pattaya with the sole purpose of robbing farangs/tourists of money or anything of value such as rented motorbikes and especially jewelry. These criminals come from far and wide from many parts all over Thailand for these purposes alone, it’s a magnet. In the process of the many robberies that have been committed against tourists, many have been killed, seriously injured, and left with serious injury and trauma. In fact, there are many robberies reported on tourists daily more than ever before. Tourists often get approached with knives or guns so that they hand over their valuables and the perpetrators have no qualms about using them with deadly force. If you must go to Pattaya do not wear any Gold or Jewelry that is of or looks of any value because most likely you may well be targeted by thieves. They will rip the gold chain or bracelet from your person without a thought. Resistance to the thieves in many cases has ended in tragedy. The situation is not getting better, but worse and worse daily. Crime is getting into epidemic proportions especially in the low season and less than brilliant economic outlook for the city. One thing is wrong, foreign embassies do not offer a travel warning about Pattaya, which is wrong considering the very high amount of crime in the city. The newspaper publications published in Pattaya are available to be read online without cost and offer a sample of the many crimes committed in Pattaya today. They are a warning to anyone who may think that Pattaya is one big entertainment venue without serious dangers for the unwary. Despite the billions in foreign currency being poured into Pattaya by tourists, the issue of crime against tourists has not been treated seriously enough by the authorities just by going by the plague proportions of crime in Pattaya. Let us hope it can change before it is too late. George.
|
|
|
3D Indeed (02/08/2008 07:49:17)
|
|
Author: W. Hammond.
|
|
Having not seen a 3D movie in ages, I was looking forward to the latest action movie “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, thinking would they show it here in Pattaya in 3D. Apparently not! Fellow viewers, who have probably never seen 3D before, said yes it is in 3D, great effects without the special glasses – no way! The only thing that jumped out in that cinema was people getting up to go to the loo or the dulcet tones of mobile phones going off around one all the time. Pattaya must be very low on the list of film distributors in Thailand for showing special features. It did say on the poster ‘3D in selected theaters’. Well, I guess that probably boils down to just one cinema – being in Bangkok, no doubt! Probably everywhere else the members of the cinema staff were meant to give everyone black eyes to produce double vision. Ah well, the movie, which would have been great in 3D, being a rollercoaster of a ride with the special effect scenes albeit shown ‘flat’ was quite fun nonetheless. One other gripe, the cinema where I saw it didn’t even bother to put it on in full widescreen, thus diminishing the effects even further. What spoil sports! I hear that a new Imax cinema is planned for Pattaya, now that will be something to look forward to. We dream in hope! W. Hammond.
|
|
|
Somethings Wrong (02/08/2008 07:48:30)
|
|
Author: Koto Keeper
|
|
Aloha, Today Sunday July 27th 10am, I Koto, Keeper of the Ocean was doing my thing, cleaning the beach and checking my posters in Jomtien. As I approach the Volley Ball area, I saw 3 mao (drunk) Thais beating the hell out of another mao (drunk) Thai man, with feet, rocks, sticks. When one raised a cement block, I intervened and made them stop. As this mao Thai man looked close to death, by yelling and getting in their face. (Me Ding Dong!) And then they started to look at me at which time I looked at me and I realized I'm 70 years young and standing alone. After trading words, I walked on, asking a few Thais to call police, I went to a Security Guard across the street and asked him to call Police, and all they had is a two way radio to another Guard; no way of contacting Police if there is a real Emergency. I continued doing my thing and 45 minutes later as I'm walking back, I see them again beating the blood and brains out of this moving piece of meat and I see about 10,(looked like sober Thai men) watching. As I get closer the Thai men are walking away, because the 3 men stopped killing this man. I catch up to the 10 men and asked them to call police or help. One said, looks like they want to kill him and they did nothing. There is something wrong with this picture. I don't know about the rest of you humans, but I just can't stand by when anything is being killed unless you’re going to eat it. I pray to Buddha and God that I don't walk alone on this issue. I will be surprised if this dead man, not walking doesn't make the papers as having died. Health and Happiness to all walks of life! "The Life of the People is in the Heart and Land" Mahalo Nui Loa (Thank You Very Much) Koto Keeper of the Ocean, A Voice for the Voiceless.
|
|
|
Thai Del Boys (25/07/2008 08:12:57)
|
|
Author: W. Hammond
|
|
It is good to see in your newspaper the continuous clampdown on counterfeit goods in Pattaya, a big business that has been thriving and been rife in the town for many, many years, ever since I have been visiting anyhow. After all these lovable looking Thai Del Boys are only trying to make a living selling the latest movie or whatever. Who can blame tourists for wanting to get what looks at first glance to be an excellent copy of their dream designer watch, sunglasses or handbag or whatever for a fraction of the price of what they would pay for the ‘real thing’. It is a big temptation! Apparently, not illegal in this country as long as it is for personal use only and not for sale elsewhere, but don’t quote me on that, but it certainly is illegal in many countries around the world, with hefty fines and even imprisonment in some cases. I know many people who take the risk and purchased a number of these fake rip-offs and take them back to their home countries to sell at a good profit hoping that Customs do not discover them. Why it has even caught on with E-Bay on the Internet, where sites openly offer fake goods. You can buy a replica of the latest Patek Philippe ladies watch for the equivalent of 22,378 baht. You say that is not cheap! Well if you bought the genuine watch it would knock you back 300,600 baht. A lot of people do not think that buying the odd fake goods does anyone any harm, except maybe for the fancy upmarket brand name makers; but then who feels sorry for them? They get their cut from selling to the people with money to burn. But it does damage their reputations besides its profits. What many do not know is that it is a very big business worldwide, worth billions of dollars. There are the potential risks to be had with fake goods. Many are made of poor quality products and you will be very lucky indeed to see it last more than 6 months; and of course you won’t get a refund if it goes wrong. Fakes do not have to pass any safety checks. So be careful with perfume and quality brand drinks. There have been cases where urine was found in a famous brand fake perfume and industrial meths put into a famous brand of Russian Vodka. One could go on and on, but one thing to think about especially here in Pattaya, is that fake sunglasses may not have the UV protection that you need from the sun. So think twice when you see that excellent copy of Ray Bans for 199 baht. And one final thought, who actually makes these goods? Most likely they are made in sweatshops, especially in China, Russia, India and Philippines and usually done by child labour for peanut wages. One could go down the road and mention that the profits from the counterfeit trade goes towards making money for organized crime lords and all that implies such as drugs, weapons and terrorism. So next time you are offered what seems to be a bargain, think twice, is this really a bargain in the long run. W. Hammond.
|
|
|
New Immigration Rule (25/07/2008 08:12:16)
|
|
Author: C. Max
|
|
Just saw this story in the papers. You are probably aware of it already about these new rules that obviously encourage foreigners to want to live and stay in Pattaya! But for those of you who do not know it has just been announced apparently that Pattaya Immigration in Jomtien are demanding that long stay foreigners who are reporting every 90 days must now bring in proof of residence in Pattaya with them when they fill in the form. Before it was just a case of filling in a form which was accepted by the officers and no questions asked. Now, someone has come up with this extra rule exclusive to Pattaya that they must bring in a bill or some document to prove that they live at the address stated. The reason given is that some foreigners have given false addresses or addresses they no longer live at. People that will be affected are one year visa holders and anyone with a work permit. But the ruling applies to anyone who is still in Thailand for 90 days after their previous registration. The fine for failing to register on time is a maximum of 2,000 baht. C. Max
|
|
|
Poor Standards (18/07/2008 10:43:32)
|
|
Author: A. Ayres
|
|
Dear Pattaya People, Having come from a Media background (Radio, TV, Internet and Press), I feel that I have to write and complain about Pattaya local cable Sophon TV.
Over the past few months, the station for English movies (Cable 2, 5 and 9) have: Out of sync movies, repeated movies in a very short space of time, movies like horror, crime, violence and sex shown in the day time.
Plus the same music performer is shown most nights in concert.
The station has great potential brand and it is wasted by poor amateurish mistakes by the company.
It's a shame, as I doubt it will not improve and will see more decline in subscribers.
A. Ayres
Pattaya.
|
|
|
Jomtien Unsafe (18/07/2008 10:42:51)
|
|
Author: Somporn Saekram
|
|
After reading your latest article on the incident that happened in Jomtien I think you have got your information totally wrong. I am not on about what happened with khun’s Wayne/Pukky, I think what happened there was totally disgusting, and I hope the law/police will do everything it can to prevent anything like that to happen again. What you then go on about is all the other problems there is in the complex, organized crime?? Trouble between bars?? Phone calls of complaints?? As a bar owner in Jomtien, and a regular visitor to the complex, I have never heard so much rubbish. All of the bar owners/customers are more friendly than anywhere you could mention in Pattaya. There is a pool league that is played in Jomtien which consist of nearly 20 bars which is a pleasure to be part of. Where did you get all the information from?? After a disappointing high season, and even worse low season all you have done is made matters worse for Jomtien with the utter nonsense wrote in your paper. If ever you would like to get better information, why don't you arrange a meeting with the entire bar owners and discuss the matter more? Somporn Saekram.
|
|
|
Pin Numbers. (18/07/2008 10:42:14)
|
|
Author: Hideaway.
|
|
If you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM machine, you can notify the police by entering your PIN number in reverse. For example, if your pin number is 1234, then you would put in 4321. The ATM system recognizes that your PIN number is backwards from the ATM card you placed in the machine. The machine will still give you the money you requested, but unknown to the robber, the police will be immediately dispatched to the location. This information was recently broadcasted on CTV by Crime Stoppers however it is seldom used because people just don't know about it. Does this happen in Thailand? Hideaway.
|
|
|
|
|
