Pattaya Mail — Features

Cultural in the Central regions

by Boonleua Chatri

This week, the Pattaya Mail takes you on a short journey through the South of Thailand.

The south is comprised of 14 provinces, bordered by the Andaman Sea on the West, the Gulf of Thailand on the East and Malaysia on the South.

The southern region begins at Chumphon province and extends 700 kilometres, to the Malaysian border. The region is 200 kilometres wide at its widest point. Its total area is approximately 70,000 Sq. Kilometres.

Phuket is the smallest province, with an area of 543 Sq. Kilometres. Surat Thani is the largest, with an area of 13,000 Sq. Kilometres. Yala is the only province which does not border on the sea.

Photo: Southern Thai dancers perform the Manohra.

The south has heavy rain, with two yearly Monsoons.

The topography is varied, from cool, low hills, small alluvial plains to coastal areas. Rice is planted on the plains and the hills have a deciduous forest cover. The most common trees are Rubber, Ironwood, Palm and Mangrove on the coastline. There are many beautiful waterfalls, ocean lagoons and hidden lakes in remote valleys.

The indigenous people of the south are the quickly disappearing Sakai or ‘Ngoh Pa’, a small, dark-skinned people, once thought to be of African origin. The Sakai people live mainly in Trang province.

The second indigenous group is the ‘Chao Le’ or ‘Sea People’, another group which has inhabited the area from prehistoric times. Chao Le live mainly in Takua Pa, Phanga Province and Siray Island, near Phuket.

The third group is the Siamese Thais, who, compared to the above groups, are relative newcomers.

Aside from the aboriginal languages, there is a southern dialect which has 7 tones and many sub-dialects. People from Surat may understand people from Phuket, but neither can understand the Trang dialect. This gives the south an incredible diversity of cultures and customs.

The food in the south is renowned for its volcanic spiciness. Classic Southern Dishes are Kaeng Luang (Yellow Soup) Kaeng Tai Pla (Fish Kidney Soup) and Khao Yam (Rice-Salad). Try these if you dare, but they are not recommended for culinary panty-waists.

The annual Vegetarian Festival in Phuket is the most famous of local customs. This began with the ethnic Chinese community, which, once a year, refrains from eating any animal flesh or eggs. The festival is to honour the animals which have given their lives to feed humans. The festival includes harrowing acts of penitence, such as firewalking and body piercing, which would make a punk rocker look like Snow White.

The regional legend of the South is that of Manohra. Manohra is a Kinnaree, half bird, half human. She falls in love with a handsome prince, who reciprocates until he finds out to his shock that his love has a feathery tail. The legend tells how Manohra handles this most embarrassing situation.

The legend is now a well-known Thai dance drama of the Southern Region.

His Majesty King Rama IX composed a very beautiful ballet, entitled Manohra, excerpts of which are available on record and compact disc.

The South is a wonderland for those who like lazy lagoons, deserted paradise beaches and the sea..

Disabled person of the year awarded to Pattaya resident

by Suzanne Dooley

For the second consecutive year, the Council for the Disabled in Thailand has chosen a Pattaya resident as recipient of the prestigious award, Disabled Person of the Year in Thailand.

The winner for 1997 was Mr. Decha Nonthakort, 38, from the Redemptorist Vocational School in Pattaya. Decha is a Business Studies teacher at the school. Last year’s winner was Mr. Suporntum Mongkolsawadi, Principal of the school.

Mr. Decha was presented with his award by Princess Somsawali in Bangkok on Saturday, November 15th. A large crowd of people, from all over the Kingdom, gathered for the ceremony.

Decha won the award because of his outstanding contribution to improving the lives of the disabled people of Thailand. He also won the award because he gives an inspiring example that great achievement is possible for a disabled person in Thailand.

Decha Nonthakort was born in Loei Province. He contracted polio in both legs as a baby and has never walked. His family were farmers who grew fruit.

Photo: Mr. Decha proudly displays the plaque presented to him by Princess Somsawali. (Photo by Suzanne Dooley)

However, his disability has not deterred Decha from extraordinary achievements. He has a Bachelor of Business degree from Ramkhamhaeng University and graduated from the Pattaya Redemptorist Vocational School in 1987. He now teaches there.

One of his students, Sorapong Deesumrong says, "Mr. Decha is an excellent Math teacher. He is friendly, happy and patient. He is a popular teacher. I think all the students like him."

Decha is also known for inspiring achievements on the basketball court, both in Thailand and internationally. He recently coached the Pattaya team to a national gold medal.

One of the students from his gold medal winning basketball team, Prachid Phakdee, 23, says, "Mr. Decha is the best wheelchair basketball coach in Thailand. He is always happy and friendly as well."

He is one of the founders of wheelchair basketball in Pattaya. He has also been instrumental in setting up basketball teams and teaching wheelchair basketball in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. He has played in Japan and Taiwan, representing Thailand.

Decha is also involved in other sports. He helped initiate the wheelchair marathon in Thailand, as a member of the group that first participated in this sport. He is currently on the planning team for the FESPIC Games in Bangkok to be held next year.

Apart from his involvement in education and sport, Decha has been politically involved in an attempt to improve the lives of the disabled in Thailand. He explains, "In rural areas there is almost no access to schools or hospitals for disabled people. If the disabled come from poor families, they cannot afford to use hospital equipment to help in their rehabilitation."

Decha is concerned about jobs for the disabled. When he graduated, he had a choice of jobs. He chose to work with Concord Yachts Ltd., in Jomtien, for two years, before working in Chiang Mai for another two years.

But times have changed. "Now it is difficult to get jobs. This year, for the first time, there are not jobs for every-one." Decha would also like to see more social acceptance of disabled people in the workplace.

Decha likes living in Pattaya because the disabled can go anywhere. "They can go shopping; they can go to the movies. However," he adds with a wry grin, "the one place they cannot go is City Hall. There are too many steps."

Decha is a humble man. His one wish is that disabled people may have full participation in society. He is living his life so as to translate that dream into reality.

Family Money

by Leslie Wright

Many investors have been worried by the recent downturn in many stock markets - especially here in Asia.

Some sold their holdings in a panic, and complain bitterly about their lost profits. Some have seen the sudden slump as a buying opportunity, and increased their equity holdings with a basket of unit trusts. Most kept their heads and asked for professional advice before taking any drastic action.

Lump-Sum Investments

Investors holding lump-sum investments such as unit-trusts or unit-linked insurance policies will always be affected by sudden market movements, both up and down.

Prudent investors should certainly seek professional advice as to whether their portfolio is appropriate to market conditions - and not just now, but regularly.

Any rearrangement they make to their portfolio should take into account not only prevailing market conditions, but their own particular needs and circumstances.

Savings Plans

But what about those with medium- or long-term savings plans? Do they have to rearrange their portfolio every time the market takes a jump up or down?

The short answer in most cases is: "Probably not."

Why? Because unit-cost averaging will work to their advantage over time.

Unit Cost Averaging

What is Unit Cost Averaging? Simply that over a period of time, regular contributions into any given fund will buy a greater number of relatively cheap units when the market is down, and fewer relatively expensive units when the market is up. So, over the total period of contribution, the investor ends up paying an average price for his units.

Then, when it comes time to encash these units, so long as the price at that time is higher than the average he paid for them, he will make a profit.

Unit-Cost Averaging doesn’t apply to lump-sums

In the case of a lump-sum, however, dollar-cost averaging does not apply - the investor buys all his units at the starting price.

Selecting, monitoring and perhaps rearranging the portfolio then becomes a more critical issue - especially when market conditions change suddenly.

Many investors try to pick the next market that they believe will perform well, or invest in the current top performing fund.

Sometimes they get it right. But in my experience, investing in the ‘flavour of the month’ more often seems to go wrong. So often, last year’s top-performing fund seems to perform poorly the following year - and vice versa.

Over time, the business cycle will tend to favour the investor who buys regularly over the one who tries to second-guess the market.

Dr Mark Mobius, the investment guru of the giant mutual fund company, Templeton Franklin, says: "The time to invest is always now!" For regular investors who will benefit from unit-cost averaging, this is especially true.

If you have any queries on this article, or about other topics concerning investment matters, write, fax or e-mail Leslie Wright, c/o Family Money, Pattaya Mail, or e-mail him directly at [email protected].

Leslie Wright is Managing Director of Westminster Portfolio Services (Thailand) Ltd., a firm of independent financial advisors providing advice to expatriate residents of the Eastern Seaboard on personal financial planning and international investments.

The Thirteen shortest books ever writte about Pattaya

by Barrie Kenyon

1. Awarding Winning Conversationalists of Jomtien Beach

2. Farang Success Stories in Pattaya Businesses 1977 - 1997

3. Menu Choices in the Thai Prison System

4. Great Blond Thinkers of Naklua

5. Sri Racha After Dark

6.Making A Profit from Used Beer Can Tabs in South Pattaya

7. Your Legal Rights on a 60 Day Tourist Visa

8. The Australian Holidaymakers’ Guide to Good Manners and Etiquette

9 A Beginner’s Handbook to Understanding City Hall

10. Learn Quantum Physics on the Back of a Baht Bus

11. Famous Farang Acquittals and Successful Appeals in Chonburi Court

12. Speak Fluent Thai Without the Tones

13. Finding True Love in the Go Go Bars

Health and Nutrition Facts

More sweet talk

by Laura Zubrod, Registered Dietician

You can add sweetness to foods and satisfy that sweet tooth by using sugar, but did you know there are other ingredients in your kitchen that can also be used to sweeten? The flavors of foods can be enhanced by using seasonings that offer the perception of sweetness: allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, mace, nutmeg, and flavorings such as vanilla, almond, lemon, coconut, etc. Adding fruit also gives you sweetness with the added benefit of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Try some of these sweet ideas:

Add a sweet spice of your choice to dry coffee grounds before brewing. Cardamom is a popular favorite.

Add zest and sweet flavor to oatmeal and other cooked breakfast cereals with allspice, mace, nutmeg, cinnamon, or vanilla. In place of water, cook with fruit juice or with milk for more calcium and phosphorus. Top with fresh fruit or add dried fruits such as apricots, peaches, apples, or raisins.

Add fresh fruit and a touch of vanilla or other flavoring to plain low-fat yogurt.

For a hint of sweet flavor in rice, cook with cardamom, cinnamon, or ginger. You might also want to substitute juice for part of the cooking liquid. Add a few raisins or chopped dates for additional sweetness and fiber.

Add a touch of sweetness to cooked vegetables. For example, carrots with a hint of ginger, mashed sweet potatoes with cinnamon, spinach with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Squeeze citrus juice-lime, lemon, orange, grapefruit, tangerine-over fresh fruit or a green salad to enhance the flavor.

Create your own "syrup" for pancakes or waffles. In a blender, puree fresh, mangos, kiwis, berries, or apples with a little fruit juice, honey, and a pinch of cinnamon. Heated applesauce with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg also makes a great topping. Fruit purees are excellent substitutions for sugary frostings on cakes or for topping ice-cream.

Next time you have a craving for a sweet dessert or snack, reach for fruit. Try these fruity recipes for some sweet satisfaction.

Mango Smoothie. 1 large ripe mango, peeled and cubed, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/4 cup orange juice, 8 oz. low-fat yogurt. Combine all ingredients except yogurt in a blender; blend until smooth. Add yogurt; blend until well mixed.

Nutritious popsicles. Freeze fruit juice (mango, papaya, apple, pineapple, nectarine, etc.) in ice cube trays or paper cups with wooden sticks.

Frozen bananas. Peel a banana, wrap and freeze. Or push the banana onto a wooden stick and roll in yogurt or a light coating of chocolate syrup, then roll in crunchy Corn Flakes, Rice Crispies, or Musili. Wrap and freeze.

Fresh fruit salad. Cut up a few of these fresh fruits: mangos, bananas, pineapples, apples, jackfruit, watermelon, papaya, kiwi fruit, strawberries, grapes, or orange, pomelo, or tangerine sections. Stir in a few tablespoons of chopped walnuts or toasted desiccated coconut. Top with ginger yogurt dressing: 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1 tablespoon orange juice.

Mango Sorbet. 1 large, very ripe mango, peeled and pitted, 1/4 cup sugar, 2/3 cup water, 4 teaspoons lemon or pineapple juice. In a food processor or blender, puree mango. Measure out 1 cup of puree. Blend with sugar, water, and juice. Pour into a cake or pie pan and cover. Freeze the mixture until it is hard, about 3-4 hours. Break the mixture into chunks and transfer to a food processor or blender. Process the chunks until the mixture is smooth and creamy and the color becomes lighter. Scrape the mixture into a bowl and cover. Freeze until hard enough to scoop, at least 3-4 hours. If the sorbet is too hard, let it stand a few minutes until scoopable. Makes 4 servings, 120 calories per serving, 0 g fat.

Baked apples. Core an apple and fill the center with 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of sugar and add a few teaspoons of raisins or chopped nuts if you desire. Place in a baking dish and pour water in dish until 1/4 inch deep. Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 to 40 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork. Spoon syrup in dish over apple several times during baking if desired.

There are many ways you can add a sweet flavor to foods, sugar is just one of them. Use your imagination to come up with a sweet creation of your own.

Readers may write Laura care of the Pattaya Mail with questions or special topics they would like to see addressed.

Romania celebrates National Day December 1

Message from Dr. Ioan Voicu
Ambassador of Romania

On the auspicious occasion of the National Day of Romania December 1st - which symbolizes the achievement of the Union of all Romanians - I have the honour and privilege to convey the most respectful and warm greetings to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, to the whole Royal Family, to the Government and friendly people of Thailand.

In 1997, Romania continued to attach a great value to the expansion and diversification of political, economic, educational and cultural relations with Thailand. In June, H.E. Mr. Sukavich Rangsitpol, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education of Thailand paid a successful visit to Bucharest, met H.E. Mr. Victor Ciorbea, the Prime Minister of Romania and signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the field of education. In July, H.E. Mr. Sakda Mokkamakkul, President of the Supreme Court of Thailand, led an important delegation of lawyers to Romania and had significant professional discussions with H.E. Dr. Gheorghe Uglean, President of the Supreme Court of Justice of Romania. Groups of friendship of Romanian and Thai parliamentarians were established during the first semester of this year and an encouraging dialogue was opened between their members.

H.E. Mr. Akos Birtalan, Minister or Tourism of Romania, was in May the host of the Royal Thai Government and of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and signed in Bangkok a Memorandum of Understanding for co-operation in the field of tourism.

In the economic area, the 8th session of the Joint Commission on Trade Co-operation held in April in Bangkok reaffirmed the mutual task to promote better and more substantial trade exchanges in order to reach the annual target level of 100 million US dollars. A highly representative mission of the Thai Board of Trade, including prominent businessmen, visited Romania to identify and to explore new possibilities for enlarging economic relations. Most recently, in November, a delegation of the Romanian Chamber of Trade and Industry visited Thailand with similar professional purposes. The Romanian and Thai chapters of the Business Councils, created in 1996, are playing now an active rote in developing direct contacts between the business communities of the two countries and in assisting them to make a better use of their strong economic potential.

In May, Romania and Thailand signed a new trade agreement which will surely contribute to the strengthening of the legal framework for bilateral co-operation, a function similar to that performed by two other juridical instruments already in force: the Convention for the avoidance of double taxation and the Agreement on the mutual promotion and protection of investments.

In the educational and cultural areas, a Romanian professor continued to teach mathematics in Chulalongkorn University, which sent in May a group of Thai professors to visit some Romanian institutions of higher education. A delegation of "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu paid a visit to Chiang Mai University in accordance with the General Agreement signed by them to foster friendship and international co-operation in education and research. Promising contacts have also been established with Assumption, Bangkok, Mahidol, Silpakorn, Srinakharinwirot, Sukhothaithammathirat, Thammasat, Kasetsart, and Ramkhamhaeng Universities.

In November, four Romanian rectors attended the International Association of Universities’ Conference in Bangkok which focused on academics’ freedom and the role of universities in the era of globalization.

Silpakorn University continued to facilitate the functioning of a modicum of Romanian studies in the form of a Romanian language programme for interested members of the Thai academic community.

With the generous support of the National Library of Thailand a Romanian Book Exhibition was inaugurated in May and was devoted also to the celebration of Lucian Blaga, a greet Romanian poet and philosopher.

At the United Nations, in its specialized agencies, as well as in other international organizations, Romania and Thailand have continued their fruitful co-operation and have offered additional illustrations of their firm commitment in safeguarding the world peace and security, in promoting sustainable development, the peaceful settlement of disputes among states and the supremacy of the rule of law.

May I conclude by reiterating my strong confidence that Romania and the Kingdom of Thailand have indeed bright perspectives to expand and diversify their co-operation at bilateral level and in the arena of multilateral diplomacy. I wish to extend my best wishes for the continuous progress and prosperity of our two nations, for the consolidation of their prestige in the world community.

Finally, I wish to express my thanks to Pattaya Mail for the opportunity to address myself to its readers.

Dr. Ioan Voicu
Ambassador of Romania

A short historical background

Romanians are the sole descendants of the Eastern Roman world and their language, along with Spanish, French and Italian, is one of the major offsprings of Latin. They are the only people who, by their name - roman (Latin ‘Romans’) - have preserved to this day the memory of the Seal of Rome, a memory to be perpetuated later in the name adopted by the nation state - Romania.

Romanians lived from the Middle Ages to modern times in three autonomous principalities - Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania - which managed to preserve their state entity, faith and civilization.

Wallachia and Moldavia were unified in 1859 when Alexander Ioan Cuza was elected as the Ruling Prince. However, large parts of Romanian territory remained under foreign domination: Transylvania, Banat and Bukovina had been annexed by the Habsburg Empire in 1699, 1718 and 1775, respectively, and Bessarabia by the Russian Empire in 1812.

Following Prince’s Cuza’s abdication in 1866, Carol I, of the German Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen House, was brought to the throne and ruled until 1881, when he was crowned as King Carol I. He reigned until 1914.

Having become independent in 1877, the Romanian State participated in the first World War for only one reason: to perfect its national unity, the successor of Carol I, King Ferdinand I (1914-1927) being one of its promoters. At the end of the war, the centuries-old dream of reunification of all Romanians within the boundaries of one single nation-state came true, paid with the sacrifice of over 800,000 lives.

On March 27, 1918, the Council of the Country in Chisinau voted for the union of Bessarabia to Romania. Similarly, on November 28, 1918, the General Congress of Bukovina voted in Cernauti, for the union of this province to Romania and on December 1, 1918, the Great Assembly in Alba Iulia proclaimed the union of Transylvania to Romania. In accordance with Article 12 of the Romanian Constitution, the National Day of Romania is December 1.

The ensuing two decades of economic, political, and cultural advances in Romania were cut short after the outbreak of World War II in 1940, when one third of the country’s area and population were effectively amputated. At the end of war which left another 700,000 people dead, the nearly one-century long democratic traditions were cut short when Soviet troops forcibly imposed a communist regime upon the country and its people, after King Michael I had been forced to abdicate at the end of 1947. There followed a period when the country was subject to "Sovietization", when all those representing the old democracy, intellectuals, and men of letters were brutally suppressed.

The hopes awakened by the distancing from the Soviet model between 1960-68 were soon dispelled by the advent to power of the totalitarian regime of Nicolae Ceausescu. This devastating dictatorial rule was finally brought to an end by the people’s revolt of December, 1989, which opened a new page in Romanian history, paving the way for the restoration of democracy and a market economy.

Modern Medicine

Presented by Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital

Diarrhoea usually strikes during the hot season, when foods go off quickly. Dysentery and Amoebic Dysentery are both contagious and are contracted by consuming water or food which have septic bacteria.

The main danger of Dysentery is serious dehydration. Stools are very watery. Defecation is frequent and much stool is produced in one sitting. The resulting dehydration may be life threatening if not treated.

To prevent dysentery, make sure that water sources in your home are clean. Wash all food and boil all water before consumption. If foods seem spoiled, throw them away. The money you save on medical treatment will more than repay the money lost on the discarded food.

How to Prevent Dysentery

1. Make sure that areas inhabited by humans and animals are clean. Don’t allow puddles to collect near habitations. Keep all rubbish in a tightly closed bin or burn it.

2. Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before feeding infants.

3. Eat food as soon as it is cooked. Drink boiled water.

4. Do not eat raw meat, pickled or steamed shellfish, and crab. Vegetables should be soaked and rinsed in clean water before cooking.

5. Food should be kept in closed containers, to prevent flies from feasting.

6. Purchase ‘take-out’ foods such as fried rice and noodles from vendors with clean stalls.

Food should not be left overnight in containers, such as glasses and pots.

Dining Out: Captain's Corner

The Captain’s Corner Restaurant opened only a few months ago. Though located at busy Thappraya Road, next to the Residence Suites, it is a haven of peace. A romantic garden with an open bar and a huge open grill welcomes you to sit down. I did that as soon as I arrived, enjoying a good glass of red Grotti Chianti, while waiting for my friend to arrive.

Ib Ottensen, the Danish owner, entertained me by talking about his life. He is already an "Old-timer" in Thailand, having spent 25 years in this beautiful country. After 19 years in Bangkok, but regularly visiting his friends in Pattaya, he decided 6 years ago to move with his family away from the stress and traffic jams, and settle down in Pattaya. Having been a professional musician in Bangkok, he now only occasionally plays his guitar for the delight of his friends.

After my friend arrived, we went to sit in the stylish air-conditioned restaurant, decorated with nautical themes. Two glass fronts allow a view of the garden and swimming pool. A long wooden bar, wood panels and a few cosy corners give the restaurant its warm charm.

Captain’s Corner has a daily ‘eat all you can’ Bar-B-Q for the price of 230 Baht (children under ten eat for half the price). My friend and I decided against the Bar-B-Q and chose from the regular menu. As entrees we had Oxtail Soup, thick and rich - almost like a stew, really tasty, and fried Baby Clams in lots of garlic - truly delicious.

The first main course we chose was Lamb Chops in Mince Sauce. Even my friend, who grew up in Australia, had to admit that these were the best Lamb Chops she had tried in years. The meat was so tender it almost melted on the tongue. This dish was served with boiled vegetables, baked potato and a big salad.

For the second main course we ate Steak Roquefort, again with lots of salad and the choice of French Fries or baked potato. It was exactly how we wanted it: medium, the knife slid trough the meat like through butter and even a tooth-less person could chew it. At the same time, it was delicious with the special taste of Roquefort Cheese.

Even though the wine list of the Captain’s Corner is quite extensive, during our meal we kept to the Chianti, for it fit perfectly.

We finished our meal with Crepes Suzette flambé and Irish Coffee; both prepared at our table. There’s is only one sentence to express it: What a great way to end our meal.

The prices at Captain’s Corner range from 60 Baht (for snacks) to 220 Baht (for the lamb chops). They also offer daily special menus, including: 1. Starter + main course for 240 Baht; 2. Main course + dessert for 250 Baht; and 3. Starter, main course, and dessert for 295 Baht. All prices are net. No service charge is added.

Copyright © 1997 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
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