Pattaya was graced with a visit by the Prime Minister this week, taking time off from the urgent task of relieving thousands of people from the consequence of their misdeeds (including, totally coincidentally, her brother) in the name of “reconciliation”. Which is why there are protests on the streets.
Anyway, the PM came among us to review the latest in a long line of marine cock-ups, the Koh Larn ferry sinking. She did the appropriate tour and photo opportunities before sitting down to tell everyone they had to enforce the rules which they had singularly failed to do on this occasion and several other occasions before this latest disaster. One can’t help feeling that, once the PM is back in her car and causing traffic chaos all the way back to Bangkok, nothing much is going to change.
However, local officials were quick to wade in with “the important thing is the lack of personnel which at present there are only 8 officers to watch over all the marine activities of thousands of yachts, so he has proposed the purchasing of 2 patrol boats with additional 24 officers with a total budget of purchasing the patrol boats of 15 million THB and the operation cost of 9 million THB per year in order to inspect and regulate the marine activities of Pattaya city more closely.” If in doubt, throw money at it.
A few of the officers hang out at a smart little building on Dongtan beach. Nice chaps, but I have never seen much regulating of marine traffic going on. Indeed, their two available boats seem to spend all their time on dry land. So it was a surprise to find one of their boats in the water today.
It wasn’t actually being used to inspect or regulate anything; but good effort boys.
The other “patrol boat” continues to gather dust.
Perhaps they could give this one a wash and actually use it, instead of buying a new one.
I know, ludicrous suggestion.