[Silom]

Article here

http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_30_11_48_3.htm

[Up2U]

a related story from the Pattaya Mail:

http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml

American envoy expresses concern over casualty rate of US nationals

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

An American envoy has expressed his concern to Pattaya City authorities on the number of US nationals who die in Pattaya each year.

Jeremy Nathan, second secretary political affairs at the US Embassy in Bangkok, met on November 16 with Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Deputy Mayor Weerawat Khakhai, and other city hall officials.

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn (right) talks with Jeremy Nathan (left), second secretary political affairs for the American Embassy in Thailand.

Nathan had traveled to Pattaya to express his concern over aspects of security here in light of the increasing severity in natural and man-made disasters all regions in the world are experiencing.

He said that Pattaya is experiencing problems of crime, with many of the crimes committed against tourists. Part of the problem is that there is a large amount of migrant labor in Pattaya, which often results in problems, including drugs.

Presently about four million Americans come to visit or reside in Pattaya annually. From 100 to 150 Americans die in Pattaya each year, a number second in Thailand only to Bangkok. The reasons are many with deaths resulting from criminal acts, drugs, accidents or old age.

Nathan said that after speaking with members of the police force, Pattaya City Council, the press and Americans, he has a better understanding of Pattaya. He added that, other than the problems discussed, Pattaya still has great potential and is one of the region’s major tourist centers as well as one of the world’s major tourist destinations.

“The reason for my visit to Pattaya is to compile information for the central database, and the information will be both good and bad. Pattaya still has a good image in all areas in the eyes of the American public ... and Americans will be advised on how to spend their time in Pattaya,” the second secretary said.

Mayor Niran said police are responsible for implementing measures to ease the problems. Pattaya City Council has provided a 1 million baht budget to each of the local police stations in the area to improve efficiency and better facilitate foreign nationals and make them feel safe. Pattaya City Council also has budgets set aside to purchase equipment needed for police stations. The government, private sector and the public have to cooperate with each other to remedy problems and keep an eye on things.

[Guest]

4 Million Americans to Pattaya ! ! ...There's not even 4 Million Americans who know where Pattaya is. Not sure of the exact number but suspect its less than 100,000

[homintern]

There's not even 4 Million Americans who know where Pattaya is.

Be grateful for small mercies

[bucknaway]

So that is what the room looks like. How much are the non-death rooms going for a night?

[Elephantspike]

bump

[yang2]

Goodness, doesn't Silom's avatar look lovely on this Board. Did you have him tarted up specially for the occasion?

[Silom]

Goodness, doesn't Silom's avatar look lovely on this Board. Did you have him tarted up specially for the occasion?

Tsubasa "please call me Imai" has become tarty lately, that is true. Everything is bigger and better on the new board. Avatars can be twice the size so I made a new version of the picture.

[Edith]

There's not even 4 Million Americans who know where Pattaya is.

They are the same four-million who don't know where's Cleveland.

One gin-foggy Friday night in London, a sweet young man named Tuen told me he was from, 'The Wells.'
I asked, 'Where is The Wells?'
He didn't know.
Neither did Tuen's three companions--But one of them told me where 'Wales' is located.
The cutest of the friends said, "Not so many there, mate, more in the Northwest....near Alaska maybe."
The third chimed in, 'Yer' mean Scotland?'
I thought I'd walked into the middle of a bloody Music Hall act!
Then the young man from The Wells asked if he could come home with me...even dumber than I thought! How could I possibly say no? (Not that I often have.)
Especially when the big, cute, dumb one asked to come along.
They even paid for their own breakfasts, and lunch, and dinner, and breakfast, and lunch, and dinner.