German Tourist Takes On Foul Latrine In Kamala

[LivinginKata]

German tourist takes on foul latrine in Kamala

KAMALA, PHUKET: A German tourist disgusted with the state of a public toilet at Kamala Beach has taken it upon himself to give the bog a thorough cleaning every day.

The German, 56-year-old Rohlofe Jeck, is in Kamala on a one-week holiday, staying in a rented accommodation near the Kamala Public Health Office.

Yesterday afternoon, Mr Jeck was spotted by a group of women who were doing aerobics near the tsunami memorial monument.

People were amazed to see the diligent German wearing rubber gloves and using his hands to rid the bowl of its disgusting contents with equipment paid for with his own money.

The bathroom, built with Tourism Authority of Thailand funding as part of its post-tsunami beach front redevelopment plan, has for years been ignored by local authorities who were entrusted with its care and maintenance.

It is not, however, ignored by passers-by with full bladders and bowels,

The combination of usage and lack of maintenance left the toilet in a sorry state – until Mr Jeck came along.

Saying he used the commode every day on his way to the beach, the German added he could no longer stand the disgusting stench emanating therefrom and decided to do something about it.

Mr Jeck’s whole-hearted devotion to hygiene has won him praise among local people.

Some have pointed out that as public property in such a high-profile location, local government organizations should do a better job at keeping the bathroom clean.

They are also worried that the bathroom will quickly revert to its old state after Mr Jeck’s vacation is over.

This will leave a dark stain on Phuket’s image as a world-class tourist destination as the fifth anniversary of the tsunami approaches, they say.

Most public bathrooms at Phuket beaches are maintained by staff who charge people two or three baht to use them under a concession with the local administrative body. It is not known why this arrangement was not being used at this particular bathroom.

Despite the honorable intent of Mr Jeck’s actions, his endeavors may technically be running afoul of Thailand’s strict alien labor laws.

These state that it is a criminal offense for any foreigner to engage in work, regardless of whether one is receiving remuneration, without a government-issued work permit.

Only Burmese, Lao and Cambodian are allowed to work as cleaners, which is an occupation otherwise reserved for Thais. – NBN

-- Phuket Gazette

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]2009-11-25

[markg]

I believe that you can actually get a visa based upon being a volunteer these days.

Unlikely that he had such a visa, but he wouldnt need a work permit to volunteer to clean the bogs.

If he's free, he can volunteer to do mine if he is in the area......................

Anyway, good on the German fella for getting all this squared away and bringing it to the attention of the people who are actually paid to do the damned job!

[lannarebirth]

Good for Herr Jeck. Mr Happy Toilet should feel ashamed, but I don't think that's in his genes.

[neverdie]

Ohh I am sure he will make a difference. Better him than me.

[neverdie]

^ .

[LivinLOS]

I believe that you can actually get a visa based upon being a volunteer these days.

Even a volunteer needs a WP (has to be sponsored by a registered Thai charity)

[PNGinBKK]

A THB 500 "donation" to Somchai Officialman normally does the trick, although in this case would you take a back hander? You have no idea where it's been!

I am guessing there will be a $hit storm down there for a while, and some $hit will hit the fan as the press all make runs for a pooper-scoop about the officials being too bogged down with bureaucracy, which has allowed the toilet to become such a dump.

They will investigate and find that they finally have something to go on, albeit until our Herr Jeck clicks his heels three times and returns home.

After that everything will go down the pan, the police investigation will find that the local officials are all round the u-bend, there will be no where for them to u-turn, the paper work will overflow as the they are dumped on from a great height.

All will be adamant at first and tell the government that this is isn't their fault and and finally they will look to their Number 1's who will simply say "This is Thailand, blame the cistern"

Sorry, it's been a quiet morning here..

Edited November 26, 2009 by PNGinBKK

[markg]

A THB 500 "donation" to Somchai Officialman normally does the trick, although in this case would you take a back hander? You have no idea where it's been!

I am guessing there will be a $hit storm down there for a while, and some $hit will hit the fan as the press all make runs for a pooper-scoop about the officials being too bogged down with bureaucracy, which has allowed the toilet to become such a dump.

They will investigate and find that they finally have something to go on, albeit until our Herr Jeck clicks his heels three times and returns home.

After that everything will go down the pan, the police investigation will find that the local officials are all round the u-bend, there will be no where for them to u-turn, the paper work will overflow as the they are dumped on from a great height.

All will be adamant at first and tell the government that this is isn't their fault and and finally they will look to their Number 1's who will simply say "This is Thailand, blame the cistern"

Sorry, it's been a quiet morning here..

I agree. They should definitely flush out who is responsible.

[JetsetBkk]

Most public bathrooms at Phuket beaches are maintained by staff who charge people two or three baht...

Get up-to-date Gazette! It's 20 baht at North Karon.

[billythehat]

....mmmm...perhaps our 'Teutonic vitreous china fanatic' is missing out on a business opportunity here...Lalaland's first "Colon Spa" on the Andaman Coast...I wonder what he writes on his postcards home?

[thefalang]

Great news.

If Herr Jeck, in his spare time, could clean the other 100,000 dirty, stinking public latrines in Thailand, everyone could take a pleasant "dump".

Edited November 28, 2009 by thefalang

[PhilHarries]

This will leave a dark stain on Phuket’s image as a world-class tourist destination as the fifth anniversary of the tsunami approaches, they say.

Quite literally methinks.

Only Burmese, Lao and Cambodian are allowed to work as cleaners, which is an occupation otherwise reserved for Thais.

So there it is, blame the bluddy foreignrers for not doing their job.

Anyway, hats off to the guy . One would hope that this incident would cause great embarrassment to some Thai official and would precipitate some form of permanent remedial action. But that would be a dream in cloud cuckoo land, Thai officialdom has no sense of shame that's why the country is, by and large, a rubbish tip.

[Felt 35]

Anyway, hats off to the guy . One would hope that this incident would cause great embarrassment to some Thai official and would precipitate some form of permanent remedial action. But that would be a dream in cloud cuckoo land, Thai officialdom has no sense of shame that's why the country is, by and large, a rubbish tip.

Agree and it have made some waves. However I don’t frequent the beaches to often so can not tell, but two days ago on my second weekly stroll in King Rama IX Park I passed one of the public toilets and a Thai with a bottle with "Duck" toilet cleaner and gloves seems to be catching for his breath outside the toilet.

Never seen anyone cleaning there in the years I have frequented the park.

[TheWalkingMan]

Good on the guy from Germany getting the place clean.

Bad on the people in charge for letting it get so bad.

This is such an easy fix. Just hire some people to keep it clean. Simple!

TheWalkingMan