May 15-31, 2001

Every resort island needs a place to party

Wouldn’t it be possible to let people in Patong trade until whatever time they like?

This would let those people who want to party, go to Patong and do so. The rest of the tourists will go to other places such as Karon, Kata and Kamala.

Every holiday destination needs a “party” location. Tourists don’t pay a lot of money and travel a long way just to be told that they can’t have some fun.

Jan Akerlind
Karon

Worrying news about divemaster training

Since moving to Phuket, I’ve heard much about how beautiful the dive sites around Phuket are. I’ve never been diving, so these conversations kindled an interest and I was thinking of enrolling in a diving course.

However, after reading about the training requirement recently imposed on dive operators, I’m having second thoughts.

I understand that some danger is involved but I’ve been assured that as long as the dive- master is competent and I do exactly what he says, then I’ll be OK.

Now, I’m sure that there are plenty of competent Thais who have more than enough experience to take a team of divers out. But, if my safety hinges on the divemaster’s ability to communicate effectively in English, then I’ll have to give this some serious consideration.

I have since heard that some dive shops are going full steam ahead with training. That’s all well and good, and has my whole-hearted support. But I can’t help wondering whether the training is going to be rushed in order to meet the deadline so the dive shops can have their foreign divemasters’ work permits renewed.

Given the implications of this situation on my safety, I can’t see myself enrolling in a diving course anytime soon.

Dithering Diver
Karon

Happy to pay higher prices than the locals

I was just browsing through past postings in the Gazette Online’s “Issues and Answers” section and came across the query referring to different prices charged for admission to the Phuket Zoo.

I’d like to tell you that, during our holiday to Phuket with our children, we did not hesitate to pay the higher price asked. We thought it only fair that we should be paying more than the local people.

We enjoyed our holiday immensely. Thank you for allowing us to visit your country.

Trish Wilson
Busselton
Western Australia

What happened to Phuket’s new MPs?

The past month has been a political and legal whirlwind for Phuket. After listening to endless whining about bar closing times, rumors about upheavals in the top echelons of local government, and witnessing some pretty impressive tap-dancing around the issue of work permit renewal fees and the impact of western economic policies on Thailand, a thought crossed my mind:

It seems peculiar that, considering the issues that have been bandied about, we hadn’t heard a peep from either of Phuket’s new MPs. Granted, some of the issues affect foreign residents more than the Thais, but they also affect those Thais who rely on foreign businesses for income.

Doesn’t the welfare of an MP’s constituents deserve the MP’s attention?

If not, why did Thailand bother with national elections and all the cost involved?

Political Student
Phuket Town

Fascinated from afar

I could not resist sending an email comment regarding the latest news in the Gazette Online.

Sobering to see the road death and injury toll so high.

Amused at the five women gang-raping that poor fellow in Srisaket.

Totally bemused at the idea of Patong residents advertising to would-be-thieves that they are away on holidays, by installing a red box out the front of their homes.

Keep up the news. It is interesting and refreshing and a far cry from the same old stuff that is re-hashed daily in Australia.

Geoff Teague
Western Australia