Japan and her people celebrate 65^th birthday of the Emperor of Japan

His Majesty the Emperor Akihito of Japan “at one with the people”

His Majesty the Emperor Akihito of Japan (Left) and Her Majesty the Empress Michiko of Japan (Right) in formal regalia.

His Majesty the Emperor Akihito of Japan pins the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Paulownia Flowers, and the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure.

Her Majesty the Empress Michiko of Japan pins the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown.

The title Tenno or Sumera-Mikoto (literally "heavenly sovereign") was first assumed by Japanese rulers in the sixth or seventh century and has been used by all subsequent Japanese sovereigns. The Japanese imperial institution, the oldest hereditary monarchy in the world, was already in existence when Japan emerged into recorded history and has since been perpetuated in a predominantly male line of descent. Although the emperor has almost always been regarded as the titular head of the national government, the most striking feature of the office through most of Japanese history has been the tendency to emphasize instead the emperor’s role as chief priest in the indigenous Japanese religion, Shinto, and to delegate most of the effective powers of government to others.

Since the foundation of Japan in about 600 BC, the Imperial Household of Japan (in Japanese, Koshitsu) has kept the unbroken line of the Family and Emperors as the only dynasty in Japan for over 2600 years. Therefore, presently, the Imperial Household of Japan is the oldest family in the world, and more than 90% of Japanese people support the Imperial Household and His Majesty the Emperor: the Imperial Household has become the symbol of the unity of the Japanese nation.

His Majesty the Emperor Akihito, who acceded the throne on January 7, 1989, upon the death of his father, the Emperor Hirohito (posthumously Emperor Showa), was born in Tokyo on December 23, 1933. He is the eldest son of the Emperor Showa and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager Nagako. Following his graduation from Gakushuin Upper Secondary School in 1952, he studied at the Department of Politics in the Faculty of Politics and Economics of Gakushuin University until 1956. In addition, he received private lectures on a number of subjects by eminent professionals, including the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

In 1953, His Majesty the Emperor (then His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Akihito) made a six-month tour of 14 countries in North America and Western Europe. The tour centered on his visit to London as Emperor Showa’s representative at the coronation of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II of the Great Britain.

In April 1959, His Majesty the Emperor married Miss Michiko Shoda, the eldest daughter of Mr. Hidesaburo Shoda, the Former President of the Nishiin Flour Manufacturing Company. She was born in Tokyo on October 20, 1934.

The Main Entrance of the Imperial Palace.

Holding His first audience for representatives of the people two days after ascending the throne, His Majesty the Emperor vowed to fulfil His responsibilities. "I pledge I will always be at one with the people and uphold the Constitution," He said. The Emperor indicated He would follow the footsteps of His father and keep in mind the late Emperor’s wish to be with the people. Expressing his hopes for further progress in the nation’s fortune, world peace, and the welfare of humankind, the Emperor indicated He would adhere to His status as the symbol of the people’s unity, as provided by the Constitution.

Their Majesties have two sons and a daughter. In spite of their busy lives with many official duties, they raised their children on their own, a departure from imperial tradition. They have tried to spend as much time as possible with their family in order to maintain close ties. Their constant visits to the Imperial Palace together with their children gave Emperor Showa and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager much joy.

Message from H.E. Hiroshi Ota Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Thailand

On the occasion of the Birthday of the Emperor of Japan, it is with great pleasure that I extend my greetings to the readers of the Pattaya Mail. On December 23rd, His Majesty Emperor Akihito celebrates his 65th birthday and the Japanese people are taking this opportunity to honor the Emperor and rejoice in His Majesty’s continued good health and well-being. Japan and Thailand have a cordial and close history since the Ayutthaya era for some 600 years. The ties of friendship between our two countries have been epitomized by the close relationship between the Imperial Family of Japan and the Royal Family of Thailand. Both the Imperial and Royal Families pay mutual visits frequently and on each occasion such a visit represents a new milestone in the history of our relationship. Despite the severe economic difficulties in the region, our relationship remains strong. In fact, it seems stronger and closer as we work together towards economic recovery. This shows the true depth of interdependence between Japan and Thailand and the true nature of our friendship. On the auspicious occasion of the Birthday of the Emperor of Japan, I would like to pray for the good health of both H.M. the King of Thailand and H.M. the Emperor of Japan. On behalf of the Japanese people, I would like to express our wish that the friendship and cooperation between our nations continue to develop as we look toward the 21st century. H.E. Hiroshi Ota Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Thailand

Re-discovering the mortars of ‘Ang Sila’

The place is ‘Ang Sila’. The meaning is ‘stone basin’. In the past Ang Sila was famous throughout the country for its stone, masons and the highest quality household implements created there. The finest mortars or Kroks drew people from every part of Thailand. To a Thai cook a high quality mortar and pestle is as important as the best quality skillet is to a Western chef.

Like iron cookware, the stone from Ang Sila becomes ‘seasoned’ with age. The more one uses the mortars, the more ‘responsive’ they become.

The famous mortars.

The stone is so fine in this area that the villagers of Ang Sila, near the sea, chose to work the beautiful stone, instead of engaging in the more obvious occupation. Generations ago, they chose this heavy work, compared to the easier task of fishing Thailand’s then bountiful waters. The village is truly blessed, as the beautiful and dense stone is found in large pieces and need not be quarried.

Working at this craft for hundreds of years, the villagers of Ang Silahave made it a fine art.

Over the years, technology advanced and the mortars of Ang Sila were forgotten by all but the finest cooks and most discerning homemakers. Food blenders and all sorts of machines which dice, mince, grind and chop became ‘fashionable’. This was due to the machines’ ability to make huge amounts of curry pastes, sauces and minced vegetables very quickly.

There is an old Thai saying that ‘In choosing a wife, look at her mother.’ This meant that although a girl may be pretty when young, a prospective life partner should be chosen by looking at the girl’s mother as this would tell one what the maiden would be like as a person when older.

Other pieces are now sculpted to supplement income.

Another method was to go to the girl’s house early in the morning. If one heard the sound of mortar and pestle early in the morning, it was a good sign. It was a daughter’s duty to make the curry paste for the evening meal. The earlier one heard the sound of mortar and pestle in the morning, the more diligent the maiden.

This was not all. One should listen to the intervals between the sounds. If there were short intervals between each strike of the pestle, the maiden was strong and quick. If long, she was a ‘daydreamer’ and possibly not efficient.

Before women complain about unequal rights, there were similar ways of choosing a husband which all maidens observed.

There are still those who will travel long distances to buy Ang Sila’s magic mortars but fewer than in the past.

There is a Thai ‘elite’ who, upon hearing that one is visiting Chonburi, will say, ‘Could you stop at Ang Sila and pick me up a large mortar. My daughter took my old one when she married.’

So, the seemingly lowly mortar had much more influence on Thai life than one may have originally thought.

Nowadays, this is merely an ‘anecdote’ and the old ways are forgotten. Today, men only judge women by their looks and forget that details add up to make the whole.

Amazing Eco-tourism

In June 1996, the TAT unveiled an action plan to facilitate the implementation of a nation-wide eco-tourism strategy. The plan was formulated by the Thailand Institute for Scientific and Technological Research and was presented to an 800-strong gathering of government officials, private sector participants and representatives of the media, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations and other involved groupings. This was the first time such a strategy document had been crafted and publicly debated.

The plan is a detailed blueprint for a 10-year course of action on how Thai people can be empowered to work together in preserving Thailand’s natural attractions, especially its flora, fauna and wildlife. The TAT, as the central government body responsible for promoting tourism, is playing a responsible catalytic role in ensuring that people are aware of the issues involved, the long-term advantages of following a sustainable tourism development plan and most important, the ways and means of doing so.

Thailand’s plan to develop and promote ecotourism is very much in line with the transition underway in the global tourism industry at large.

Tourists are becoming more sophisticated, seeking healthy holidays, cultural experiences and above all, quality over quantity. The promotional campaign, Amazing Thailand, is very much in line with this, as it aims to steer Thailand away from mass-market tourism into these and other niche-markets.

Education is key. By utilizing all forms of information and communication systems, especially presentations and workshops, the TAT is working to create an awareness that assists in the conservation of the environment and culture. Business people must be made to understand what can be done to improve and conserve their respective areas. This is all part of the empowerment process as Thailand seeks to attract repeat travelers and promote its food, shopping and heritage as part of the "Amazing Thailand" campaign.

One significant seminar was the Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Workshop held in July 1997, and the first such joint effort between the TAT and the New Zealand Tourism Board, organized to discuss the development and marketing of ecotourism products. It gave young Thai entrepreneurs a first-hand roundup of how to promote, manage and regulate one of the fastest growing segments of global tourism.

The performance of the tourism private sector in the tourism business is critical. Thai hotels have started the Green Hotels Project which encourages them to develop and improve environmental standards. Operators learn to conserve energy and water supplies and effective ways of using resources and training personnel. TAT has provided training and information in hotel environmental management.

TAT has also launched a major national award scheme to recognize tourism businesses with outstanding contributions to the preservation of environment, culture and heritage. One of the objectives of this award is to arouse competition in upgrading quality. It is hoped that this award will encourage the conservation of nature as well as culture. We are now trying to seek global recognition for this award so that its reputation can grow well beyond its borders.

TAT is also shifting promotions away from tourists destinations that have reached saturation in terms of tourist numbers and/or negative impacts on the environment. All Thai people are proud of their country, their culture, heritage and traditions. If everyone would join in the effort to preserve this heritage, it would be a tremendous achievement.

TAT has produced a series of Nature Guidebooks introducing new destinations, specializing in eco-tours.

Promotional efforts include developing groups, such as the Thai Ecotourism Tour Operators Association, which is currently being formed. Tour operators are being invited to sales promotions at international meetings on ecotourism, as well as to participate in educational trips. Spreading knowledge and pooling ideas is essential. As part of this process TAT has produced an ecotourism newsletter to be published monthly and distributed to a network of ecotourism. Training programs for professional guides are being held as part of the plan to cater to the increasing demand of tourists.

There are currently about 200 ecotourism operators at tourist attractions in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Phuket and Bangkok. Activities being offered include bird-watching, trekking, sea canoeing, white-water rafting, bamboo rafting, mountain biking, diving, and agri-tours.

The computer doctor

by Richard Bunch

So you’re thinking of buying a new PC and you don’t have bottom-less pockets. You don’t know what to buy but are confused by the choices you have. Well Intel have just added to your confusion with the introduction of it’s latest processor.

Processor performance has for some time now been more than sufficient to meet our needs and when measured in Megahertz (MHz), the 450MHz chips are coming in a little under half a Gigahertz! Unthinkable not long ago and Intel have announced that they will introduce the full Gigahertz around the now infamous millennium. At least it should be free of Y2K problems. For now though we have to content ourselves with the offerings presently available.

Intel realised some time ago that it was losing a large part of the entry-level market to its competitors, AMD, Cyrix, etc., and responded by launching the Celeron Processor, a Pentium II without the steroids, or more accurately the Level II cache. The Level II cache is expensive and whilst its removal allowed them to compete in price, performance was sacrificed. So in its latest Celeron’s, the cache is back, albeit 25% of the size of the standard Pentium II offerings, but reputedly twice as fast. We’ve tested them and it has certainly given a welcome boost to performance but it does not come up to the performance of the traditional Pentium II, hardly surprising given the price difference. After all who would buy a Pentium II if the latest Celeron gave the same performance? These Celeron’s are currently available in 300 MHz guises. To distinguish the Celeron with the go-faster stripes from its cacheless predecessor Intel has added the ‘a’ suffix.

So, you’re now ready to part with your hard-earned money and you’ve decided to buy a PC with the latest Celeron, you should be cautious since the old Celeron is still readily available, so ensure that you are getting the new type.

On a more sombre note, a word of caution to those of you that do not protect your PC with an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). Our workshops have had three PC’s in over the past week that have been completely decimated by brown-outs. These do as much if not more damage than spikes and over-current. As well as protecting your equipment, which will always be supplied with ‘clean’ power’, the battery backup will afford you valuable time to save your work and perform a structured shutdown. It is important to purchase a quality UPS; although there are cheap ones on the market, the old adage of you get what you pay for certainly applies. You should regard the UPS as an essential part of your hardware, its purchase could potentially save you the expense of replacing components in you PC which generally speaking are more expensive than a UPS.

Remember, keep your comments coming in about the quality of the local Internet Service Providers (ISP’s).

Send your questions or comments to the Pattaya Mail at 370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, 20260 or Fax to 038 427 596 or E-mail to [email protected].

Richard Bunch is Managing Director of Action Computer Technologies, the One Stop Shop for all your computer and Information Technology needs.

Serenity on a Baht Bus

by Barrie Kenyon

When it comes to relaxing, farangs and Thais are so very different. Your average male Thai, for example, sleeps whenever drowsiness takes over even if he happens to be racing a motor bike at the time. Entertainment to a Thai means having your ear drums exploded at 4 a.m. in an open air disco or watching those TV characters being blown up in Chinese soap operas which are the Oriental equivalent of Coronation Street.

Relaxing to a farang by contrast is largely a matter of avoiding Thai drivers, discos and soap operas. Your average European arises around 11 a.m., checks if there is a strange face on the pillow, and then wanders off to find the greasiest breakfast in the street. The next fourteen hours are usually spent with a bottle in hand, with a nap around dusk to ensure that the drinking is properly spaced out. Those who are daring enough to "adopt" a local will also have to listen to heart rending accounts of family illnesses and to make periodic trips to the gold shops.

It is unlikely that Nitya Lacroix, author of 101 Essential Tips How To Relax (DK books, London 1998) 275 baht, has spent much time in Pattaya, but no matter. We are told, for instance, that cuddling a cat or dog lowers your blood pressure but there is no discussion of the armies of disease bearing tics which infest all Mogs and Muttleys in Sin City. We are also advised that taking a bath by candlelight is an ideal way to wash away the cares of the day, which is not really true of enforced cold showers during a Pattaya electric black out.

In the section on travel, air passengers are advised to stay comfortable by raising their arms, rolling their shoulders and stretching out in their seats. This is not much fun, mind you, if the person behind you is performing these acrobatics just as you have nodded off somewhere over India. On the ground, anyone who could advise you to avoid traffic congestion and to listen to soft music to soothe your nerves has clearly never had the Baht Bus Experience. The tips on planning a holiday with your partner back home do not appear to cover those farang husbands who have told their wives they are going on a business trip to Southend when, in fact, they are en route to South Pattaya.

But we are being unfair. This booklet is actually a common sense guide to organizing your life around sound principles to reduce stress, bad habits and negative thinking. But the problem with all guides to healthy living is that they appeal only to the converted. Therein lies the trap for all those who try to demonstrate to others the errors of their ways. You can take most of Pattaya to the water trough, but they’ll still choose a double Kloster. Can’t win ‘em all.

Pattaya Hash House Harriers Run 770

7 Dec 98 - Hares: Festering Streaker, Salvatore & Goy. After disappearing to work in the U.S. for 7 months, I returned to the Land of Smiles, overtaxed, but happy and healthy. I spent "One Night in Bangkok", saw E.T. and then headed to Pattaya the past weekend for the Hash.

As a returner it’s always good seeing old friends and making new ones. While the Hash changes with new blood, one thing remaining is - L.S.D. I’m referring to Loyalty, Stability and Dedication by the mismanagement committee and those volunteering their time to make the Pattaya Hash top of the pinnacle of success.

Groupie, Sexie Susie, Yao Yao, Who Ate All The Pies, to name a few, all performing their duties to a high standard every week providing us a great Hash. Not to mention the entertaining jobs our G.M. and R.A.’s do each week and all the others behind the scenes. I’m sure they’d appreciate a word of thanks for their time and trying to keep everyone happy.

The bus ride to the A-site was comfortable, being entertained by Thai music in semi-stereo sound. A scenic A-site along a murky pond, but after the evening with all the pissing in it, we renamed it "On-In Golden Pond".

A pre-run circle was called and someone was caught wearing new shoes. (I wasn’t). A beer for the shoe and the hares explained the run. Would they dare announce this run to be better than the Asian Games? N..... no. The thundering herd was off. A scenic hill climbing run, good length and paper.

The little Hash Horror surprised me leading the pack and I could hear Howard Cossell if announcing the run on TV: "He...... could..... go.... All.... The..... way."

We were welcomed back for cold refreshments and a pleasant climate controlled evening under blue skies. I proceeded straight to the bartender: "Ein Amarit, bitte."

Chicken F. called the circle beginning with the Hash auction; a rainbow selection of Hash shirts. Who Ate All The Pies and Terminal Fore were iced.

Steamy Lump took the circle and iced the hares Salvatore, Festering Streaker and Goy - new name Speedy. Many thought a good run but perhaps short on checks, dividing the pack. Everyone returned (I think) with few complaints.

Festering Chronic M. was iced for ________________. (You fill in the blank). Dinasoar D. sat on ice for leaving Thailand without finding a replacement hare. A probation officer might be needed. W. Spot was called in the circle showing visibly his ass.

I’ve written enough so I’ll fast-forward to the end. Airhead, the other R.A., did his commanding routine of punishing sinners. He was presented a made in Japan Samurai sword with F. & F. because today was Pearl Harbor Day. We were entertained with loud fireworks. (Japanese or Chinese - I’m not sure).

Virgins, anniversaries, new names, but no hare song from the hares. More ice. We departed to the Scandi Bar. Pegleg, even though you weren’t there, it was another fantastic meal. A great ending for a prodigious Hash.

On On Singapore S.

Look up the Pattaya Hash House Harriers on the Internet at http://members.tripod.com/~The_Nerd/hashsheet.html or email Susie at [email protected] or call 364 185. PH3 meets every Monday 15:30 hours at the Hare House in Soi Post Office.

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Created by Andy Gombaz, assisted by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.