Good Deal?

Shortly after we moved into our new home, I noted on a Monday morning a garbage truck picking up the trash in our neighborhood. Of course we rushed and put our garbage curbside and it was picked up. We continued to do this each Monday for several months. Suddenly, the truck stopped coming.

Inquires at the subdivision office by my wife revealed that the garbage service was provided by some government agency and that she needed to go to that office and pay the fees. In exchange for the payment we would be provided a container to place on the street and the resumption of service.

So off she goes and signs up for trash pick up at the whopping cost of 120 baht per year, or $3.82. That comes out to 10 baht per month. I questioned this, as it just didn't seem right but she provied a receipt indicating paid in full for one year.

Well since the first month we went and paid this fee, service is no longer as previously scheduled. You never know when they are going to show up. Sometimes on a Wednesday, sometimes Tuesday, this week not at all as of yet. And guess what, the receptacle was never provided and the trash we place out on the street was ravished by dogs so I’m out on the street picking up stinking wet trash. Not a pleasant task.

So, back to the government office Mee goes. Her first inquiry was regarding the covered trash receptacle they were going to provide. To this she is informed at they are not presently giving out any new ones, as the supervisor wants to first go out on the route and see just how many are now in service. What? The answer makes no sense, but hay this is Thailand and many things don’t. And of course Miss Mee will not question the answer because that would be unpleasant and make her and the clerk feel uncomfortable. Never mind that I feel uncomfortable with trash up to my elbows.

Then the second question is asked regarding what day is our garbage pickup. She then gets this long story as to how they once had two garbage trucks, but one is now broken so one trucks has to do the work of two thus there can be no longer be a schedule, yada, yada, yada. Basically the answer was they will get here when they get here.

So, what do you get for 10 baht per month? Apparently not much. Guess I can do like the people in the country do. Dump the wet garbage in a near by rice field and burn the rest.

Will keep you posted.