Deaf Mute Guy selling the handmade cards.

[Guest OfficeMax]

Before I start nattering on this is about the mute and deaf young man with the great warm smile who sells the handmade cards on Jomtien Beach and around Pattaya.

 

The Jomtien “city hall police” who seem to be responsible for “arresting” the roaming beach vendors (ice cream, videos, food, fruit and etc.) have been quiet most of the year but the last 3 days they have been out in force rounding up the beach vendors on Jomtien beach. Today seemed to be worse, now on with the story.

 

The young man selling the cards stopped at a friend's chair and the “city hall police” showed up and proceeded to look inside the young man’s shoulder bag and removed envelopes and some of the handmade cards, he indicated to the young man he should go back with him to be ticketed and pay the fine (or whatever you call the exchange of money).

 

On to the upbeat side; several people in my section were displeased with the police taking the guys cards. Several of us gave the man money to pay his fine; his smile of thanks was great to see and was genuine – I believe I saw people in another section give him money also.

 

Great to buck city hall sometimes!

[Gaybutton]

That was a very kind gesture on your part and the others who contributed. I think we all know that some vendors are mafia controlled, but I believe that particular young man is not.

 

With the exception of the blue-shirted massage guys and the white-shirted manicurists, as far as I know every vendor out there is operating illegally and they know they are taking a risk playing the daily cat-and-mouse game with the police. Meanwhile, the vendors are far more benign than they were only a few years ago and I think people who resent their presence are truly mean spirited. At least the vendors are trying to make a harmless living as opposed to the con artists who try ATM scams and the violent criminals, including the purse snatchers and gold chain snatchers.

 

I don't know what the city thinks they are protecting us from. I would much rather see the police manpower concentrated on trying to catch the violent criminals and trying to prevent such crimes instead of protecting us all from beach vendors and helmetless motorcycle drivers.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I, for one, have no problem with the vendors. I don't go to the beach much lately, but when I did, I never minded the vendors who just walked by with their wares or stopped to try to sell them. It sure is much better than having them out snatching bags and gold. The police just find them as easy prey for their "fines". There is much more real crime going on than these vendors trying to make an honest living.

[Gaybutton]

I, for one, have no problem with the vendors.

Some of them can also be quite entertaining. One of my favorites, and a smile comes to just about everyone's face when he's passing by, is Bird, the ice cream vendor.

 

If you've been to the gay Dongtan beach area, I'll bet a smile will come across your face right now, when you realize who he is:

 

"Ice cream, ka."

 

Recognize that?

 

Police, leave these people alone. City, change the regulations.

[Guest gay_grampa]

I disagree. I for one would like to find an area of beach where there are no vendors.

 

I used to like going there and reading but over the past year I've found that I can't read through half a page without being pestered to buy something:

Massage; Ice Cream; German Newspapers; Illegal CD's; Manicure; Seafood; Sunglasses; Wooden Elephants; Cigarettes; Pedicure; Wallets; Watches; Sarongs and all other kinds of junk.

For me, the deluge of vendors has driven me away from the beach.

[Guest luvthai]

For me its the opposite. I enjoy the vendors and the eye candy they sometime provide. Yes a couple can be annoying but for the most part they are just hard working people trying to make a living. Actually I quit going to the beach because of the harassment the vendors take. I still walk past to go to the water park and sometimes walk the walkways just to take in the sights, but rarely stop to sit at Rit's.

[Gaybutton]

I used to like going there and reading but over the past year I've found that I can't read through half a page without being pestered to buy something

Well, you've got me on that one. I can understand your frustration if you're going to the beach to try to read a book. There are other beaches in Pattaya and Naklua, as I'm sure you know, but they're not gay, as I'm sure you also know.