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Check Your Facts (11/01/2008 06:26:34)
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Author: Jack Black
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Having lived here myself for a number of years, Mr. Tighe you are dead wrong on a number of issues. .First they DO NOT teach English at any Thai public school up country and only at a few here in this area. And yes the Thais should learn English here in Pattaya; this is a major tourist destination where English is still the major language of choice. As for taking your complaint to the higher ups here I have tried that on two occasions going to City Hall both times; the only problem was no body could speak English and my Thai is limited. Almost all the public servants do not speak any English. Wonder just how much education many of the Thai higher ups have? Do you not wonder why they have never responded to any letters to the editor? And why after years of us complaining about there being no safe way to cross the streets that they have done nothing about this one small problem. Mr. Rooney has a good idea and I will be the first to join. And as for Bar girls being able to hold a conversation with you, just what planet are you from or maybe your English is also on their level? What’s your name? Where you come from? How old are you? How long you stay? And my family needs a new water buffalo to me is not holding much of a conversation or maybe we are going to different Beer Bars. Please tell me where I can go and have a great conversation with a Bar Girl? So, Mr. Tighe, get off your high horse and be part of the solution not part of the problem. Jack Black USMCR
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A Challenge (04/01/2008 08:24:31)
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Author: Don Aleman.
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Long experience has taught me to not engage in a battle of wits with the defenseless, but Mr. Rooney's vicious response to my comments of 12/22, compels me to make a rare exception. I appeal to his friends, if he has any, to read this to him. The 12/22 letter was drafted before the new mayor took office and, if indeed he does communicate in English, I apologize. The police chief is another matter as, if he, as Mr. Rooney said, "has a very good understanding of English" then why, as a guest speaker at the Expats club meeting, did he require a translator? I arrived at the 300 English teachers figure by counting and I did not include the public school teachers who, I suspect, teach Thai/English wherein beach is pronounced like a word for a female dog and sheet sounds like a slang word for excretion. Mr. Rooney must have a background in code breaking but surely not in English. No, no one expects Thai authorities to sit at home reading comments from people who, literally, pay their salaries but some people actually can read at the office or, on their computer - novel idea? I did not ask that Thailand, again Mr. Rooney's words, "be like my home country" but simply, at low or no cost, have: street signs, building numbers,(for I.D. & safety) a telephone book traffic devices or crossing zones so that fewer foreigners risk their lives and people in high profile "visitor" positions speak and understand English. I didn't, as Mr. Rooney suggests, say anything about chickens or dogs though they do merit an honorable mention. I challenge Mr. Rooney to accompany me on a simple shopping trip seeking everyday household items at any major Pattaya store asking for them in English, with no game of charades. I am talking about, for example, a toilet plunger, picture hanging wire, a door stopper, etc., - loser buys dinner.
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English Rules (04/01/2008 08:23:05)
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Author: J. Tighe
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I refer to the ‘Understanding English’ letter that was sent by Don Aleman, and which I believe reflects badly on all farangs. He tells that he doesn’t know why letters are written to newspapers when the people who the letters are directed to (presumably meaning should be directed to) do not understand English. Why is because people like him think they impress in airing pomp. Tim Rooney rightly asked why Mr. Aleman doesn’t present his complaints appropriately to the relevant authority, but he needs also to be told that a person criticizing native people for not speaking his foreign tongue is displaying the height of arrogance. “Many [letter] writers are university educated, educators, professionals, blah, blah,” he told. To enlighten him, this does not preclude a person being a “beer swigging, bar hopping butterfly” (he has the right name to be one). Neither does not being one automatically mean a person is not pretentious and arrogant. There is no degree qualification for manners, but Mr. Aleman showed he has much to learn in the department before he presumes to 'action' other things. As to the club he says he intends to form, to advise who it is aimed at I suggest he uses a quote by that great raconteur, George Bernard Shaw: “Selfish clods of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making them happy.” Not for wanting to join a dreary gathering of gripers, I for one shall be watching with interest for the formation of Mr. Aleman’s ‘Clod Club’. On the point made by Tim Rooney that all Thais are taught English in schools and probably know more grammar than many farang; this is true. However, Thai conversational English is rated one of the lowest standards in S.E. Asia and there is growing consensus that in schools there is over-emphasis on grammar. Many students can complete quite difficult written English tests but cannot hold even a basic conversation, whereas a bargirl can hold a conversation without knowing any grammar. There is a lesson to be learned from that fact.
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NO ROOM AT THE INN (04/01/2008 08:22:11)
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Author: Zack.
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My name is Zack. I am in my early twenties. I work in Rayong. I live in a small room with two friends in Rayong. This room is not my home. My home is in Pattaya, it is the Orphanage run by the Father Ray Foundation. That is what my late Papa Ray always told me and my brothers and sisters “this will always be your home”. You see I am an orphan. Before I can remember Papa Ray found me and took me to his home. He and “Mother Shark” minded me, nursed me when I was sick, fed me, clothed me and educated me. Most of all he loved me, me and all my sisters and brothers received his warmth and protection. When I was small, Papa Ray was very poor. He had to go out begging for money. But, we also had our own small farm with pigs and chickens running all over the place, it was great fun minding them. Many, many kind and generous people started to help my Papa. They sent clothes and toys for us and they also “sponsored” us, which meant Papa got money and he was able to bring us more brothers and sisters and build more rooms. When Papa was poor he could not buy land for our rooms, so he leased it and now our home is on it. We also have a big statue of Papa erected beside us where we come and say hello to and remember Papa. Since he died, Uncle Larry and Auntie Toy look after my younger siblings and some of my older sisters take care of the very young babies, some of whom I have yet to meet. When I am lonely I come to talk to a Farang volunteer and she helps and advises me. Santa Clause did not bring good tidings this Christmas. I have learned that the Landlord has told my Uncle Larry that he will not be renewing the lease for the land on which my home is built. The Landlord is taking over my home. My older brothers and sisters, who worked with the babies and small children, are going to be sacked. Uncle Larry will not be minding my small brother and sisters and the landlord says if the sponsors stop supporting it will affect them. But it is the landlord who is hurting my siblings and whatever hurt and sadness befalls on them and me is his doing and no one else can be held responsible. I would ask the landlord, why is he taking my home away? Why does he want to remove the Statue of my late Papa? Is it true he is going to build a big posh school and make millions of Baht for himself? I would appeal to everyone who has supported us all these years, to talk to any person of influence you may know to get this landlord to renew the lease for my Uncle Larry so that he can continue the loving work of my late Papa. Maybe if God and Buddha put their heads together they could also help you in your efforts to change this wrong situation. Thank you for taking the time to read my sad Christmas message.
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Thats Entertainment (28/12/2007 09:50:24)
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Author: J Davis
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Dear Sirs, enjoy your publication very much but it would be helpful if you had a more in depth entertainment section. Movie reviews would be very helpful. Thank you.
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Get Your Facts Straight (28/12/2007 09:49:19)
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Author: Tim Rooney
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It seems that Don Aleman who wrote an article in the paper has his facts wrong and I would like to know where he dreamed up these facts? He states that MOST Thai's cannot read or understand English, so why do we write these ads in the papers? Then he goes on to state that even the new Police Chief and the Mayor cannot. His next statement is that there are 300 English teachers here. Also I think that most of the people who provide services around Pattaya are VERY good at understanding English and helping us with our quests seeing as English is the most difficult language to learn of all. (How is your Thai after being here for how long Don)? WOW! This man obviously does not have ANY idea of how the Education system works in Thailand and also seems to have inside info about the new Police Chief and the Mayor who BOTH can understand English at a high level. 1) Around 80% of all Thai's learn how to read and write English in schools (even in the poor schools) at a very young age. Their grammar is probably 75% higher then any farang here including these English teachers. These English teachers get stumped ALL the time in class when asked a Grammar question. 2) Where do you get the idea that there are 300 English teachers here in Pattaya? What sources do you use? 3) Most Thai Authority Figures do not sit at home or at work reading the English newspapers deciding how they will do their job or run the city. They have statistics that helps them with this. Maybe your complaints are a lot like your article here, built with little knowledge of what you are stating. But the way, the Authorities DO get this info from the newspapers and TV shown despite what you think. Thailand is still considered a "Developing Country" so these people are busy trying to work with the country that they originate from and work within the Budget that they are given by the government (if they have one). They cannot spend all their time trying to fix the complaints of us farangs who want Thailand to be JUST like our home country. They are not worried that there are too many chickens on the street or too many dogs or that there is a pothole in Sukhumvit Road etc. I have been in Thailand now for 7 years and love learning Thai. The reason I live in Pattaya is because of my work near the Industries but I am actually quite disappointed living here in one respect and that is because it is more difficult for me to learn to speak Thai due to the fact that everyone here (including most Thais) speaks English. Even when I speak Thai to them, they answer me in English so I really think that you need to GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT! Have you ever though that if your concerns are of such importance that you might get your girlfriend or another Thai to simply translate your complaints into Thai and have them presented to the proper Authorities or even PAY a company to do so? Maybe in your new club you can all pitch in a few baht to have this done then it is done correct? You say that you will invite "action people", people who can get things done. Are these like "action figures" in the comics and why don't you simply use these action people first instead of forming yet another club where a bunch of miserable farangs get together to complain about the beautiful Kingdom of Thailand that they have decided to live in?
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A Hot Dog Problem? (28/12/2007 09:47:49)
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Author: The Boxer
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I wonder if your investigative journalists could put any credence on this rumour? Two good friends of mine who personally rescue and bring back to health some of our local dogs have said that Pattaya City council is 'shipping' its stray dogs to the North East. We all know that there is a problem and earlier this year Tony of Tony's gym started helping out. In fact when I visited his site in July there were over 600 stray dogs in the kennels, how many six months later is anyone's guess. So are these the poor dogs that are going north and what will befall them there? Is it just a case of not in my backyard and let’s keep them out of the tourists view? It’s a pity really because with a concentrated effort and real authority the problem could be dealt with in the long term in a more humane manner. Several people (all farangs) have tried to get a policy implemented which would have to be backed up by law, but bringing the various so called interested parties together has proved impossible. Why? Because it is farang led. Money has often been stated as the problem but where there is a will, there is a way. However, some possible benefactors are concerned as to the eventual destination of their gifts so without a proper and forward plan are reluctant to help. I am also contacting the WSPA to see if they can help. The Boxer
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Reserved Curbside Parking (22/12/2007 06:46:45)
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Author: Pattaya resident
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Will anyone take up the challenge or suggest how to have the local authorities do something about the practice of restaurant / shop owners and footpath vendors reserving curbside parking spaces with chairs, buckets and other objects? I parked in Pattaya Klang near Beach Road and in doing so encroached on a restaurant owner’s reserved space. I was accosted and threatened with violence if I didn't remove my vehicle and was told that he (the owner) paid taxes for the right to reserve the space not for customer parking but just to increase the visibility of the establishment. What bothers me is, I pay fees for vehicle registration and I pay taxes as well, I shouldn't be threatened with injury or damage to my vehicle because I want to park somewhere near the establishment I want to visit.
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Thanks to Lucifer (14/12/2007 08:11:15)
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Author: Violated & Grateful
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Dear Editor, I wish to comment on the Pickpocket situation in Pattaya. Being a Farang resident I , like many of us here in this wonderful resort town, have a steady flow of visiting Farang friends and relatives. And of course that means being a part time tour guide for these welcome family visitors. A few weeks ago I was escorting my cousin who is a single male, aged 40. It would come as no surprise that he was interested in the nocturnal activities on Walking Street . After an in depth investigation of the hot tub scene , the beer bar scene and the Rock & Roll scene, the midnight hour indicted that it was prime Disco-Time. We made our way through the tunnel and into a corner behind the band at “Lucifers”. While I was on my first beer there (but not of the night) I was accosted by a young lady who wrapped her arms around me and expressed her desire to spend the night together. I took her wrists and spun her around, away from me and said “No thanks.” She was insistent and spun back to face me, making eye contact again and gave another big hug. At this point, 2 waitresses and a bouncer grabbed her and held her arms while one of them forced open her hand to reveal a small pile of cash. They asked me to check my wallet and when I did, thinking it was safely in the pocket I had left it in. HOWEVER all the cash had miraculously found its way into her hand. I had felt nothing while she had removed my wallet, emptied it of cash and returned it to my pocket. Please - no comments on how many beers I had at this point. I had paced myself well up to that point. But my main reason for writing this is to express my gratitude to the alert staff of Lucifers and secondly to warn all nightlife participants to take a minimal amount of cash on tour, and be wary. And once again, a big thank you to the staff of Lucifers. Cheers
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After Effects (14/12/2007 08:10:30)
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Author: R. Nicholas.
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The recently completed Jet Ski Championships, held near the sand sports ground on Jomtien Beach, demonstrated yet again the high standard of organization which promotional management companies are capable of in Thailand. There must have been many hundreds of items trucked in and assembled, including large grandstands, stages, crowd barriers and major sound equipment. The laying out of the complex racing course with floating markers covering a large area of ocean, would in itself be a tricky task, and all this great organization was capped off by a visit from a Royal Family member to present the trophies. Unfortunately, however, as is the case with many outdoor events in Thailand, the after effect of the activities on the environment was not given any thought. There was no morning-after cleanup team in sight to remove the large amount of litter generated by the presentation festivities, and most tragically there are now approximately 200 concrete anchors left littering the beach near the sand sports ground. These anchors are like stubby concrete fence posts, approximately 1 metre long and 12 x 12 cms in cross section. Approximately 150 of these are lashed together in pairs with very strong rope, and about 50 of these are still submerged on the waters edge, creating a very dangerous hazard to swimmers and all water craft. If the Pattaya People Staff or any of its readers know who the organizers were for this event, or who is the appropriate person within Pattaya City Council who may be able to speedily rectify this serious oversight, would they please act accordingly. Further, does anyone have any suggestions as to how to ensure that the planning of such events in the future includes litter control and environmental protection?
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