The other day I was sitting alone in a lovely French cafe in East Pattaya eating their fabulous salad nicoise. I was alone and a little bored so I purchased a copy of the Pattaya People from the bar for 25 baht.

The paper uses the snappy slogan “we dare when others keep silent”.

I am sorry to say I have never read such drivel in my life. It concentrates on “sensastionalist” articles and “real” news is in little evidence.

The more I read the more I began to feel it was just an advertising medium for the Rotary Club of Pattaya. They are metioned over and over again. The president of this (no doubt) excellent organisation is a Mr Niels Colov who, lo and behold, just happens to be the managing director AND editor in chief of this dreadfful rag.

So what are the problems with it? Well here is a SHORT list that could be a lot longer.

1. Firstly the quality of the stories. There is little, if any, REAL news. Instead it concentrates almost solely on the gory and macabre, often including (unecessary) pictures of dead or dying people “a la” Thai press.

2. It CLAIMS to be an “English language” paper - but the “English” is truly appalling. I realise they have to employ Thai journalists but surely they could employ a proof reader too. I can’t comment on the writing quality in the Skandinavian section as I don’t speak the language.

3. There is clear use of “advertising” artilces that are dressed up to appear to be editorial articles. In other words it appears that the paper is endorsing the company or entity involved. There is NO indication (as there would be in any decent publication) that the article has,in fact, been paid for. Coming from a publishing background myself this is, in my opinion, a serious breach of faith with its readers - one could even say a deliberate attempt to mislead.

Finally, there is obviously some kind of collusion with the local police. I can only assume this is to allow them preferential access to information and pictures. I have the greatest of respect for both the Thai police AND the local Pattaya police who do a very difficult job under very difficult and underfunded circumstances, but this paper take the term “arse licking” to new heights.

If you enjoy “tittle-tattle”, sensationalism and gory pictures then MAYBE you would enjoy this paper. If you prefer REAL news try the Pattaya Mail (a LOT less biased) or even the online publication at www.pattayacitynews.net.