10 Charge!
Opinion
samui gazette | aug. 6 - 19, 2010
The first issue has come and gone. It wasn’t perfect, far from it actually. The constructive criticisms are appreciated and all efforts will be used to improve each issue. Gratitude goes to all the supporters and advertisers for putting their faith in this new publication. We’ve said our piece on the one thing that should unite all of us, Thai, ex-pat, and tourist alike-- the ecological preservation of our little slice of heaven, Samui. Little did we know how quickly this issue would jump to the front and give us an opportunity to unite, as the issue of attempting to “Stop the Oil Drilling” has done. Organizers did their best to get everybody outside, 35,000 strong, hands around the island, to show the world we are united against allowing oil or gas drilling platforms to be erected near our paradise. While the turnout was not nearly up to the 35,000 people hoped for, the number of people was significant enough to be considered a strong expression of the will of the people in this region to “Stop the Drilling.” This issue, preserving our ecology, is an issue that will keep reappearing on our collective radar screens for years to come, whether it be oil drilling platforms; wastewater treatment that protects the ocean water, reefs and aquatic organisms around our shoreline; cleanliness of our beaches; treatment of coconut trees to keep the from being killed by pests; open burning of refuse which pollutes our air (to say nothing of the ozone layer). The size of our little island gives us a unique opportunity to either be a glorious example of success at keeping at bay the ecological perils that other places have encountered, but at the same time it’s size and shallowness of the ocean waters surrounding it means that it could also be a dismal failure, due to lack of interest, and become an unattractive little disaster. We hope the result is success. It is bothersome, however, that after the oil protest preparatory meeting, many of the attendees (the Gazette included) piled into our oversize, gas (or diesel) guzzling cars, trucks or motorcycles to drive home. There we were, trying to stop the guys who were trying to get the fuel to energize our vehicles. It felt kind of like we were helping to arrest the drug suppliers even though we were drug users who were regularly buying our fix from them. Where are all the electric vehicles we should be using? Where are the affordable solar panels, or winds turbines that should be being used in Thailand or, at least, on our island? You can visit cities in China where practically everyone, and we mean everyone, was tooling around on quiet, fast, electric motorcycles that cost them maybe Bt7000 to buy. These electric vehicles could make it all around this island on one charge. Users could then charge them on the solar electricity they had stored up during the day. The island needs these innovations brought to our island, at affordable and economic prices, preferably Made in Thailand! Call us dreamer, but wouldn’t it be nice to not hear all these gas (or diesel) motors blaring around the island? The technology is available but is the economic, political, and finally the individual willpower around to make this a reality? We will never give up that dream, because we hate feeling like hypocrites.
AROUND THE ISLAND Patrick G. Caviness, DrPH
Fog clearing Driving around the island in my black pickup truck, I observe roadside activity while dodging motor bikes, three wheelers and unhurried trucks blaring out “tonight, tonight.” I wonder what those long black pipes stacked like firewood by the side of the road are. Water pipes? Drainage? Up the road, workers bury the pipes in trenches along the roadside. I’m guessing water pipes. This new tarmac road is smooth, with clean borders and wider than the concrete road. I wonder when and where the next phase will start. Turning off the ring road I cut through to Chaweng. This section of road is full of twists, turns, ragged edges, deep pot holes, narrow turns with frequent flooding. It’s heavily traveled. Cars, trucks, motor bikes all jam together. It gets my vote for the worst section of road on Samui. Later over a beer and conversation with long time islanders, I ask the same questions. “Not sure” and “haven’t heard much” are the responses. After a week of more questions, I realize most of us don’t have the foggiest idea what’s going on around us. And why should we? Things change
slowly. Not much information actions? I got some eye openout there. Not much happening responses I think you will ing, anyway want to know more about. Then I talk with some folks In future columns, driving in our municipal government around the island, I will keep -- the new administration wondering. I welcome readers that’s all of two years old this to send me your “wonderings” October. It is a breath of fresh too. In one way or another, we air. I’m told, “those aren’t all care about the future of this water pipes!” Those huge island. One of the kinder propipes are the first part of a tests heard frequently, “I don’t gigantic underground conduit want to see Samui become anall the way around the island. other Phuket.” Well, things are Eventually all the wires we see happening that could create an hanging in perverse clumps alternative future. from concrete posts -- telMost of us want to know ephone and electrical -- will be what’s going on; maybe even threaded through those pipes. be a small part of it. This And some cables we don’t see administration has a different today, like fiber optic, will all future in mind for our island. be in the pipe, out of sight and I want to learn more about it. protected. Someone’s thinking Even if you’re skeptical, come years, even decades, ahead. along; explore, and discover The twisting road to Chait. Maybe we can all benefit weng? Soon a much straighter from fog clearing and gain wider tarmac road with good some insight about this island’s drainage will take drivers into future destiny from “Around the most popular beachfront the Island.” on the island. I ask about plans for a less costly year Patrick taught, consulted and wrote round reliable water supply. in the field of strategic and financial planning for most of his professional This administration has some career. After receiving a doctoral in health care, he moved to Hong Kong concrete plans, expensive and helped a venture capital firm buy but doable. And when will and oversaw a number of medical in Asia. He lived and the next part of the new Ring companies worked in Hong Kong for the next 14 years. Six years ago he and his Road start? All those illegal Frederique, built a holiday signs spreading like wild fire partner, home on Samui where they have along the road. Any planned lived full time for the last 4 years.
Samui Gazette
A publication of YuCiNo Enterprises Co., Ltd. with office at 124/524 Moo 3, Lamai Centre Unit 61/2, Lamai Beach Road, Koh Samui www.thesamuigazette.com
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Editor: P. Bunsan Managing Editor: Sandy Dela Cruz Reporters: Akanee Thongtara, Cherdchai Taweemuang Contributors: Kev Bee, Steve Bray, Patrick Caviness, Neal Hoptman, Jules Kay, Omesh Langmann, Rob Newman, Jo Rowkins, Geoff Whitlie
Ad Sales & Circulation Manager: Dennis R. Paguio Sales Representative: Pawinee Kaewkunya
Directors: P. Bunsan, Joseph A. Noble
Art & Production Design: YuCiNo Enterprises Co. Ltd. Production Asst: Kanlayanee Seamkung
Publication Information YuCiNo Enterprises Co. Ltd. publishes Samui Gazette. All content of this issue is © Copyright 2010 by YuCiNo Enterprises Co. Ltd. and may not be reprinted or retransmitted without the expressed written content of the publisher. Samui Gazette is available throughout Koh Samui.