Family Money: All That Glisters

By Leslie Wright

You may have read recently that some NICs - the popular acronym for ‘Newly Industrialised Countries’ (which a few years ago used to be called ‘The Third World’ before that term became politically incorrect, and ‘underdeveloped’ before that became politically incorrect also) - have been complaining that they will be adversely affected by several First World industrialised countries’ plans to sell off their gold reserves.

This is because the price of gold - already down some 13% from its price of US$290 an ounce a year ago - is expected to drop still further once the sell-off of several hundred tonnes of the precious metal hits the market.

Since several of the poorest of these NICs are gold producers - indeed, their economies depend upon it - they are claiming that their economies will be hurt to the extent that they will require additional aid (from the First World, of course) to offset this expected loss amounting to about the same as the industrialised countries expect to receive from their sale of their gold reserves.

Reserves on auction

At the beginning of last month, the Bank of England held the first of a planned series of auctions that seeks to sell off almost two-thirds of its 715-tonne gold stocks over the next four years.

Other central banks are expected to follow their lead.

But earlier this month, the plans by the IMF to sell off its own gold reserves on the open market came up against a wall of opposition, and instead is considering re-valuing its gold reserves on its balance sheet, thereby avoiding open market sales of gold and giving it more assets with which to furnish debt relief to poor countries.

That sounds a bit convoluted, and smacks of constructive accounting, doesn’t it?

The rationale is: Don’t sell the gold openly because it will hurt the economies of the very countries we are trying to help (despite the fact that they resent that help afterwards); and since we have to help them, partly by forgiving part of their indebtedness (rather similar to local banks having to write off individuals’ Non-Performing Loans), let’s raise the value of the gold reserves on our books so we appear to have more assets on our balance sheets to give to - pardon me - with which to assist these poor countries.

And this is not from some ailing local bank explaining why it lent money to unworthy creditors which it now cannot collect, but from the International Monetary Fund itself.

Continental Reserves

It may come as a surprise to some readers that the world’s largest consumer of gold is India. In 1998 Indians bought 815 tones of gold, up 11% from the previous year.

Compare this figure with the total reserves of the Bank of England - 715 tones - and it is indeed rather a surprise.

Traditionally, investment demand has accounted for 25% of the Indian market, with the remaining 75% going to jewellery and industrial applications.

Before 1989, when the Indian government relaxed controls on buying, selling or stockpiling gold, nearly all gold imports were smuggled in.

In 1992 these regulations were further relaxed, permitting Indians returning from abroad to bring in 5 kilos of gold, a figure that was recently doubled.

But as the price of gold has fallen, Indian investors have turned away from gold to more attractive options - including local and international equities.

Normally, falling prices tends to boost demands for commodities. But this is not expected to be the case for gold, where continued downward pressure on its price will tend to keep investors away.

Nonetheless, it is expected that the demand for gold will continue in India, for both traditional and cultural reasons.

Gold jewellery has always been an important part of Indian culture, and the old jibe about an Indian woman wearing her husband’s bank balance may have more than a grain of truth in it.

Although it is difficult to put a precise figure on the total amount of gold in India, one recent report* estimates there may be as much as 128,000 tonnes of the metal there, with about 9,000 tonnes held by private individuals. (The report didn’t speculate who’s holding the other 119,000 tonnes.)

These figures dwarf the reserves the Bank of England is planning to sell - 715 tonnes - which, it is worth noting, is less than India’s current annual demand for gold.

And 9,000 tonnes is worth almost US$100 billion at current prices...

However, putting this into perspective, at current population levels this figure works out at only about $100 per head.

But even this modest figure is more than the per capita holdings of privately-held gold in most industrialised countries.

So if you ever wondered what your friendly Indian tailor might invest his profits in, you may now have some inkling.

* Source: AFP 29 July 99

If you have any comments or queries on this article, or about other topics concerning investment matters, write to Leslie Wright, c/o Family Money, Pattaya Mail, or fax him directly on (038) 232522 or e-mail him at westport@loxinfo.co.th. Further details and back articles can be accessed on his firm’s website on www.westminsterthailand.com.

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 Computer Doctor

by Richard Bunch

From Brian Lowen, Pattaya: I have Net2Phone set up on my computer in Pattaya. I connect via Loxinfo at 33kbps. I have a problem when calling the US from here in that the sound quality is poor and the other party often can’t understand what I’m saying. I’m using computer speakers and a microphone. I’ve heard that using a Sony noise-cancellation headset can solve some of the problems I’m having. Is this true? And if so, do you know where I can buy the Sony headset?

Computer Doctor replies: Net2Phone normally works well. The main difficulties experienced relate to the sound card installed in the PC, insufficient bandwidth, network congestion and incorrect configuration. You have not said whether you are using a notebook or traditional desktop PC. In the case of the latter, of course it is easy to change the sound card if necessary. Also, if your computer does not meet the minimum specifications you will experience problems. Net2Phone is an aggressive application and it is also important that you close any other applications that may be running on the PC before making the call, in order to maximize those available to Net2Phone.

With regards to headsets, using a microphone and speaker as you are at the moment leads to confusion as the other party gets what they have said to you relayed back to them, via your microphone. It is always best to use an earpiece/microphone at the very least. For your information, Net2Phone is themselves offering a free headset at the moment if you purchase 10$ of time, which doesn’t appear to be a bad deal. With regards to the Sony unit, so far as I am aware, it would be best to obtain this on-line. I hope this helps you track down your problem.

From Daniel Tombs, Sattahip: I want to purchase a CD ROM writer. Can you give me any advice or recommendations please?

Computer Doctor replies: These really come in two flavors, IDE and SCSI, the latter are available as both internal and external devices. Until recently, the rewrite speed of the IDE type was limited to 2x whereas the SCSI performed at 4x. As with all SCSI devices, there is a fairly hefty premium for the device. An SCSI controller card will also be required, and in the case of the external SCSI an external SCSI cable will be needed. With the improvement in the IDE models, I suggest you plump for one of these; personally, I would recommend the latest offering from Philips CDR460RW, which should cost around 11-12,000 Baht.

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 pcdoctor@pattayamail.com

Successfully Yours: Niel Poulsen

by Mirin MacCarthy

Niel Poulsen, Managing Director of Chonburi Steel Mill Services and Siam Steel Mill Services Asia Pacific, is out there making life happen. “I believe you create your own luck or karma. If you are out there participating, opportunities appear. For every door that closes two doors open.” One thinks the Poulsen house must be very noisy, with all those opening and closing doors!

Niel has spent all his life telling people that his name is pronounced as in the River Nile and not Neil. The name is Scandinavian in origin, his grandfather being Danish, however, Niel was born and raised in Western Australia. As an Aussie, Niel immediately shows that warm welcoming smile that the people from Down Under all seem to show. Mind you, you only have to meet Niel’s fun-loving Mum and you can see where he gets it from too.

His first real work was developing his own business as a contractor in Concrete Pumping. However, to show that he wasn’t set in concrete, he left Australia in 1981 and spent the next three years traveling the world.

In 1984, Niel returned to Australia as Production Manager of CSR (Readymix) in Melbourne, where he stayed for five years. His life changed when he went on a holiday to Isla Mujeres in Mexico where he met and was captivated by the dark eyed, vivacious Alice. (Isla Mujeres is Mexican for Island of Women, prophetic, although he didn’t know that at the time.)

Niel returned to Houston, Texas, with Alice, then they had an extended honeymoon travelling for six months through Europe and Asia and to Australia to get the OK from Mum. However, he was far from settled and moved again to Hong Kong to become the Operations Manager for a large Readymix company.

After a couple of years, he closed the Hong Kong door and returned to America for three months, then went to Saudi for three years. It was originally meant to be only a week, negotiating a deal in Dubai, but stayed three years as General Manager of the second largest Readymix company in Saudi Arabia.

By 1995 and back Stateside, Niel was approached to join a large privately owned group of eighty companies, Edw. C. Levy Group. He was employed in Detroit and sent here on secondment to set up slag processing and steel mill services. By the end of that year Niel had set up both Siam Steel Mill Services and Chonburi Steel Mill Services Ltd. in Thailand and he is now currently researching new business development opportunities throughout the Asia Pacific Rim countries, on behalf of his U.S. parent company.

Niel has definite ideas on success. “In personal life, it is the quality of life that is most important. In business it’s profitability. In the end everything comes down to that.”

Of his own life he says, with that broad grin, “I always look at the bright side. I like to enjoy life to the fullest and live every day as though it is my last.”

When he is not working he enjoys deep sea fishing and yacht racing. “I sailed Etchell E 22’s in Melbourne, they’re 30ft racing yachts. I competed in the Australian National championships. In Hong Kong I sailed Impalas27’s.”

Recently he has become involved with the Jesters “Care for Kids” community charity project following Alice’s introduction to The Fountain of Life School. Niel’s company has offered platinum sponsorship for a fund raising fair to be held at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort on the 4th of September. “It is a very worthwhile charity and I believe it was important to get the ball rolling. Even in these hard economic times, there is still an obligation to participate and contribute to the community. One of our parent company’s philosophies is to, ‘Repay the communities that support us by operating safe and economically sound businesses while sharing our success with worthy charitable causes’.”

Niel’s plans for the future are all Thailand based. “I plan to actively be a part of the recovery of the Asian economy.” His advice to other expats is, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Afford the Thais the respect due to them and become a part of their community.” The community minded Poulsens are certainly doing that.

Snap Shots: Digital Imaging

by Harry Flashman

Thanks! A few weeks ago, Harry Flashman had the misfortune to have his cameras stolen. In a post-kamoy fit of depression he shared his despondency with the readers. Harry was really heartened by those of you who contacted Pattaya Mail with offers of the loan of a camera. Unfortunately, he has been unable to thank you all personally but it was a wonderful gesture and has helped lift him from the depths of despair. Thank you!

Digital Imaging

Considering going digital? Undoubtedly this is the way that photography is going. However, before you throw away your 35mm camera you have to work out just what you want to do with your images, how you want to store your images, and what your images will be used for.

For example, if you want to make an electronic catalogue to sell your wares on the ‘net, then you are going to need to have all those images in electronic form. Sure, you can take your normal photographic prints, enhance them and scan them and then convert to electronic JPEG files or whatever - or you can just take them in that form and download the electronic images directly into the computer.

Digital camera.

Digital cameras do have optical components, just like normal cameras. They have lenses that zoom and do all the usual optical tricks as regards depth of field and suchlike. The difference is that the image is not recorded on film, but recorded electronically inside the camera itself.

An immediate plus when going digital is then the saving on photographic film and processing. But there is always a downside. Digital cameras eat a gross of batteries for breakfast. Their appetite for normal alkaline batteries is truly prodigious. Even NiCad batteries do not last long in a digital camera. Rechargeable Lithium batteries are the answer, but they are expensive.

Now the image quality depends largely on how many “grains” make up a picture. It is like the grains of silver halides in normal print film. Big grains a fair way apart gives a “grainy” soft image. With digital cameras, these grains are called “pixels”, and obviously the more pixels the better.

When you want to view pictures from a digital camera, you will generally be looking at a computer screen, not known for razor sharp images. You can print out the picture from the screen if you want to be able to hold the picture in your hand, and if you have a high quality printer and use the special “photographic” paper in the printer you will get a very clear image from the digital camera.

Unfortunately, while the digital image quality has improved remarkably in the last two years it is still not quite as good as the top quality image that can be had with top quality 35mm SLR’s loaded with good film. Note that this was from TOP quality SLR’s, using something like 50 ASA fine grain print film.

Another drawback with the giant step to digital is the cost. A good quality digital camera will set you back 30,000 Baht and upwards. For many people, especially for those over 40 years of age, there is another additional drawback. That is the “computer-like” menu driven controls. For many people, these small push button, up and down arrows are fiddly and decidedly confusing. To take pictures with a digital camera requires a reasonable degree of computer literacy as well as some ideas of photographic competency.

Despite all this, digital cameras are tomorrow. While the doomsayers have been spelling the end of normal film and photographic processes for ten years, the days of the 35 mm SLR are numbered. Harry here believes that digital will surpass conventional photography within two years. Just remember Mr. Kodak doesn’t sell digital cameras because he thinks it is a passing phase!

Modern Medicine: A swollen belly!

by Dr Iain Corness

There are many causes for a swollen tummy other than being pregnant. If you are over the age of 50, then the most likely cause is an irritating, and sometimes debilitating disease called Diverticulits. In fact 50% of the population is likely to have the predisposition by that age. If you live to be 80, then you are almost certain to have it. Oh the joys of getting to be a senior citizen!

So much for the good things to look forward to! So just how do we get this condition? Unfortunately, the simple answer is poor eating habits. The prime offender is however anatomical. On the bowel wall you get small pockets forming called diverticulae. The actual condition of having these pockets we call Diverticulosis. We certainly love the big words, don’t we.

The main cause of diverticulosis appears to be a low fibre diet. Insufficient fibre can produce an increasing pressure on the colon. In conjunction with straining at stool and if you do that long enough you will get several of these pouches popping out through the bowel wall and you have just produced the clinical condition of Diverticulosis.

Now, if these pouches become infected or inflamed, usually through bacteria and faecal matter getting caught in them, this will eventually lead to Diverticulitis, with symptoms that can include bloating, cramps, gas, upset stomach, and alternating periods of diarrhoea and constipation. This is a most unpleasant and painful condition. Sufferers cannot stand wearing a belt. Even the elastic band on underwear cannot be tolerated.

However, even at this late stage do not despair, it is not too late. A high fibre diet can help relieve symptoms for most people with Diverticulosis. Dieticians recommend 20 to 35 grams of fibre each day and foods high in fibre include:

* 100% whole grain breads and cereals (eat your crusts, Johnny!)
* fruits (i.e., apples, peaches, bananas)
* vegetables (i.e., spinach, carrots, squash, broccoli)
* legumes (dried beans and peas)

Another important measure to be taken is to keep your stools soft. This does not mean swallowing tablets - you do this by drinking lots of water, and finally, don’t strain when moving your bowels. Give yourself enough time and try to train your bowel into going at the same time every day. A book in the toilet is medically approved!

When you have full blown attack of diverticulitis, antibiotics can be given until the infection has cleared, as well as going on a “fluids only” diet for a few days to give the bowel an easy time. So there you are, that swollen belly does not mean you are pregnant - just look at improving your diet!

Dear Hillary,

There is a young boy, around maybe 9 or 10 years old, that is hanging around my condominium block. Every time I come out of the lift he wants to talk to me and follows me out to the car. Unfortunately I cannot speak Thai so I cannot understand what he is saying. It is embarrassing for me and I think the condominium staff think that he is with me! What do you suggest?

Andre

Dear Andre,

You have three choices, you can completely ignore him and never look in his direction or you can remember this phrase to discourage him and he will hopefully give up and go away quicker. “Mai ow krap” which literally means “I don’t want any” and is a polite way of saying “Go away”. Finally, you could ask the condominium staff to get rid of him! Just make sure he’s not trying to tell you that you’ve won the Lottery!

Dear Hillary,

I want to insure my belongings while I am in Thailand. My friends in America tell me that Thai insurance companies cannot be trusted. Is this correct?

Wary

Dear Wary,

Some can, some can’t. Like all insurance companies, you have to read the fine print. It helps if the Insurance Agency you use is reputable and Farang managed if you cannot speak Thai. Get recommendations from residents here is the simplest way.

Dear Hillary,

My maid is sweet and delightful and totally trustworthy. I have been happy to let my eight-year-old daughter go to the shops and market with her. I had been under the impression that they went by Baht bus, but now my daughter tells me that they go on a taxi motorcycle, with my daughter in front and the maid on the pillion at the rear. There is no real certainty that any of them are wearing crash helmets and this worries me sick. I have spoken to the maid and she smiles and says, “No problem, Madam.” But I am not convinced that she understands my concern. What is your opinion?

Martha

Dear Martha,

The answer lies with your daughter. Make sure she owns and wears a proper crash helmet every time. Otherwise hire a car and driver.

Dear Hillary,

You seem to have answers for everyone, so perhaps you have the key to stopping the traffic jams on Beach Road. It is quite crazy at present and I have had to wait for up to half an hour going absolutely nowhere. This water treatment thing seems to never end. Please suggest something to the Civic Fathers!

Rot Tip

Dear Rot Tip,

Thank you for the compliment. There are some things though that don’t have any easy cures: one is the cure for the common cold and the other is traffic jams in Thailand. If I really had an answer for everything I would be World President and a billionaire to boot! However, let’s imagine Hillary is put in charge of traffic in Pattaya. I’d put in synchronized traffic lights and dedicated slow lanes. And motorcycle lanes for two and three wheel vehicles, mobile kitchens and elephants. Such is the Thai nature not to be regimentalised though, that I hardly think I would last long as Minister of Mucking up Traffic. As I am apolitical, by the way, I won’t suggest anything at all to the Civic Fathers or even the City Mothers!

Dear Hillary,

After reading your comments lately, I find your advice one of the worst I have ever heard or read about. I would like to know your qualifications including your education, age, physical appearance, ethnicity, gender, marital status and your medical and psychological history. I find you so disgusting and “kwai-ish,” we all laugh at your comments. You’re nothing but a fool.

Eharris431@aol.com

Dear Eharris

You really do take yourself a little seriously, don’t you, my petal. I’m glad you get a bit of a laugh out of the column - that’s what it’s for! However, to help you along for yet another dreary week, here are the answers to your barrage of questions - well educated, no-one asks a girl her age and expects a truthful answer, drop dead gorgeous appearance, Extra terrestrial (out of this world), gender? (If by that you mean sex, then yes and often), maritally wounded several times, as for medical and psychological history - only my doctor knows that and she’s not telling! Finally, who are you calling “Kwai-ish”? Takes one to know one, they say! Never the less, I am glad you can still laugh, laughter is the best medicine! (And I think you might need some!)

GRAPEVINE

Dining Out: A Surprising Curry House

by Miss Terry Diner

Walk into Delaney’s Irish Pub on a Friday night and you will notice something different immediately. It’s not the number of patrons, but the slightly sweet aroma of curry in the air.

The Dining Out Team had heard of these Delaney’s Curry Nights, so decided we should investigate. Initially, let’s clear up how an Irish pub puts on curry nights in the first place. Kim Fletcher, mine host at Delaney’s, is a qualified chef in his own right. As well as that, Kim has worked all over the world and kept his little notebooks with recipes of some of the better regional cuisines he has experienced. A two year stint in Nigeria in West Africa was the starting point for these curries, to which he then added all the other little wriggles that chefs collect in their professional careers. Being a progressive chap, he decided that Pattaya was now ready for some very special curries.

Curries at Delaney’s.

Now I must admit that I am always a little wary of some curries. The exceptionally hot Vindaloo’s for example, while being absolutely the epitome of curry cuisine for some people, are well out of my “temperature” range. It was with thoughts like these that we approached the curry corner in the pub.

The range of “wet” curries includes a sweet Chicken Madras, a very mild seafood, a mild lamb (coconut curry), a medium pork, a hot Vindaloo beef and a rip snorting super special nuclear beef for those with the asbestos palate!

On hot plates are the “dry” curries. Three types of Tikkas, chicken, beef and fish, plus a spring chicken, a lamb and a pork. Alongside are the relish trays with two types of chutney, two varieties of pickles, raisins, nuts, and then baskets with vegetable samosas, popadoms, cauliflower fritters, banana fritters and onion rings. Of course there is rice to be the usual base for these dishes.

With Kim aware of my preferences, he suggested the Chicken Madras and the seafood curry. These were ladled onto my rice, but Kim didn’t stop there. “You’ll need some spring chicken, a couple of Tikkas, some cauliflower, an onion ring or two, grab a samosa, help yourself to chutney and stick a popadom on top.”

With this incredibly laden plate I returned to my table. With my usual Dining Out partner unable to join me that evening, Kim even co-opted the delightful “Miss Beautiful” to sit with me, and further explain the curries if necessary.

I began with the samosa, a very tasty example of the genre and then tentatively tried the Chicken Madras. Sensational! Hot, but not too much, with an all pervading “different” taste coming through. This turned out to be cumin and caraway seed and Kim beamed with that all-knowing look of the clever chef who had just surprised his diners again. In my books, this Madras was the pick of the evening.

Now full of confidence, the seafood was polished off, very mild as Kim suggested. I slathered my chutney all over the spring chicken and tikkas, crunched through my popadom and fritters and sat back totally full. I’ll never be afraid of the milder curries again!

There are two excellent features with Delaney’s Curry Nights. First is the fact that it’s an “all you can eat” deal. If you find you really like one particular curry, then just back up for more. The second is that there are enough choices for everyone from the seasoned curry buff down to timid people like me, more of a curry “puff”! The cost for the all inclusive deal is only 345 Baht, which does make it a bargain.

If you are thinking you might like to try something different, the Dining Out Team thoroughly enjoyed Friday night at Delaney’s and highly recommends the cuisine. Thanks Kim - and special thanks to “Miss Beautiful”!

Animal Crackers: Potty Trained Puss

by Mirin MacCarthy

Karawynn from Canada shares with us her story of Misha the Toilet trained cat. Instructions and photos can be found at www.rainfrog.com/mishacat/. Karawynn does ask that you do not email her for catty advice as she has more response than she can handle. Her theory has caught on, though, and other Potty training Puss Diaries can be had at www.susandennis.com.

Karawynn’s story ... “I’ve had Misha since he was two months old. He’s solid grey, with eyes of a vivid gold and probably some Siamese in his ancestry. As a kitten Misha would clamber into the litter box and begin digging a hole in which to go. He would dig a perfectly serviceable depression in the litter, and then keep right on digging. Tiny little wisp of a kitten, ears laid back in concentration, paws flinging clay bits out to skitter across the tile. He would dig through all of the litter and then keep trying to dig right through the plastic bottom of the litter box as if it were the most urgent task in the world. At some apparently random point he would then turn 180 degrees and begin digging another hole at the other end of the box, filling up the first hole in the process and scattering litter liberally throughout the bathroom. Turn, dig, turn, dig, for fifteen or twenty minutes, skritch, skritch, skritch, skritch, skritch. Meanwhile, he would be blithely getting on with the business at hand. More often than not half of his mess would end up smeared on the wall behind the litter box, or dropped off the side onto the floor. Ugh.

So I did what any sensible person would do, I trained Misha to use the toilet.

Potty Puss

Fortunately, he is an exceptionally clever cat, so this went over with relative ease. The compulsion to dig is still very much with him, though; every use of the toilet is preceded by the obligatory attempt to dig a hole in the water. He will utterly soak his front paws in the process, despite possessing the typical feline aversion to getting any part of his body wet. At some point he appears to be satisfied, then gets up in the proper squat, does his thing, shakes off his wet paws and jumps down.

I deliberately didn’t try to teach Misha to flush the toilet when I toilet-trained him. I have no doubt that he’s smart enough, but I’ve heard that cats who do learn to flush tend to do it a lot, and it’s difficult to get them to stop, or to associate that action only with the process of elimination. I figured I’d quit while I was ahead. If I am both at home and awake, however, Misha will come bounding in and proudly announce to me when he’s used the toilet, so that I can flush it for him.”

Karawynn would have had a head start here with Asian toilets being low to the ground!

Auto Mania: BMW M Roadster

by Dr. Iain Corness

A few weeks ago I mentioned, in passing, that I’d rather have a Mercedes SLK than an SUV. This produced a wonderful response from Australia, where one of their top motoring journo’s, John Weinthal, took me to task. (John spent many years in the UK where he masterminded the London Motor Show for the SMMT.) Now John does not agree with my contentions that the SLK looks great, but instead suggests we should all be bowing down at the altar of BMW’s M Roadster.

Knowing John as I do (for like about the last 35 years!) and knowing his penchant for getting enthralled with “brutish” looks, I can understand his desire for the M Roadster. We are talking here about a chap, who in his younger days, owned a Triumph TR2. Another pug-ugly motor car. This is a category into which I would put the M Roadster. It looks like a Z3 on steroids. Overweight, bulbous and lumpy.

BMW Touring Model.

Now I fully acknowledge the get up and go of this new BeeEmm, 240 bhp in a two place motor car certainly gives brown stuff off a shovel performance. But at what cost? The BeeEmm is dearer than the Benz. And I still say does not look as good. Mind you, if it’s only neddies that we are talking about, you can get Brabus to breathe on the Benz Kompressor and 250 bhp is yours for the asking. (The V6 engine for the SLK is coming too, say the spies, with even more grunt.)

I’m sorry John, the SLK has undoubtedly much nicer lines, and has the advantage of being both Coupe and Roadster, the option taking only a few seconds and at the touch of a button. A snug alloy roof (with rear glass) is much better than a rag-top with plastic rear screen, surely. (Even John, with his factory supplied rose coloured glasses on, admits that the Roadster’s plastic rear window is a joke.) And if you want the M Roadster in coupe form you get the most gawdawful looking vehicle since the Moskvitch. A sort of corpulent Reliant Scimitar. No, while BMW have certainly built a technically great car in the M series, it’s not the sort of pedestal offering that John would have us believe.

Autotrivia Quiz

Last week I asked about the distinguishing external features of the old Cooper Mini’s as opposed to the ordinary house bricks. Fairly easy one, with the different grilles, twin fuel fillers for the twin tanks and bumperettes. Now some also had wheel arch flares as well so it was not all that difficult to spot one.

In their day, the 1275cc Cooper S models were real pocket rockets and won many international motor sport competitions both on the race circuit and on rallies. Remember those famous names like Paddy Hopkirk and Rauno Aaltonen, Christabel Carlisle and Peter Manton (Antipodean)? They all knew how to make those little cars perform. To see a Mini harrying a V8 Mustang was certainly the archetypal David and Goliath struggle.

With John Weinthal bringing BMW to the fore, lets look at them for this week’s quiz question. BMW has been a competition oriented manufacturer for years. One very notable success was with Huschke von Hanstein and Walter Baumer in a 2 litre BMW winning the 1940 Mille Miglia, averaging 103 mph. That car went on to win the first speed event in Germany after the war, which was a hill climb, and the driver then was Hermann Lang. For this week’s free beer, what was so special about the 1940 Mille Miglia? Be the first in with the correct answer to Fax 427 596 or email automania@pattayamail.com to claim the prize!

New 3 series

Since we have been talking about BMW, we may as well carry on with this great marque. The new “station wagon” (estate car) variant of the 3 series is to be released here in October. Called the Touring Model by the factory, this looks like being a worthy addition to the two door and four door 3 series vehicles already released.

BMW claim that the loading area in the rear is large enough to accommodate a mountain bike, a cello or a child’s pram. An amazing variety! Well done BeeEmm. The blurb reckons that you can carry a maximum load of 540 kg and can drag a trailer with 1800 kg along behind as well. More than enough for mum, dad and the kids, several cellos and the obligatory aforementioned pram.

The estate version will be released “fully loaded” as they say in the car yard parlance with only the roof rails as an option.

Technically, all the 3 series are good cars, as indeed are most of the BMW range, though I personally feel that the smaller engine ones are under-powered for my liking. But then again, being a card carrying petrolhead, I do enjoy some grunt with my morning motor car!

Styling, especially in this version, is quite conservative but they’ve done a reasonable job of combining the estate car “boxiness” with the saloon car origins.

BeeEmm in Eff One by September?

It is common knowledge that BMW are returning to the Formula 1 scene as joint partners with Williams for the year 2000 season. Insiders are even predicting that BeeEmm will take full control of the team by 2001. This may be the case, but whatever, the German giant has already started testing their engines for next year. Make no mistake, they are very serious about this return to the fray. Their motor sport director, Mario Theissen saying, “We shall soon be returning to top-flight international motor sport and the supreme technical standard fits in perfectly with BMW’s hi-tech image. This new agreement now ideally complements the technical agreement with Williams F1 and underlines BMW’s Formula 1 strategy.” Test driver Jorg Mueller has already been chassis testing the new power plant and Ralf Schumacher is scheduled to test a Williams-BMW this coming September.

If Williams can get their act together again, this could be a formidable team next year.

Belgian GP this weekend

Remember it is F1 at the Spa Francorchamps circuit this weekend. How will the Ferrari - McLaren battle turn out this week? You can join me in front of the big screen in Delaney’s for first hand action. See you there.

Fitness Tips: Grazing through mealtime

by David Garred,
Club Manager Dusit Resort Sports Club

G’day Pattaya.

I am currently working on a nutritional paper for the members of the club and the research is taking me far and wide. Grazing Through Mealtime poses a couple of interesting points and some tips that I thought a lot of you might be able to put to good use. Open your mind a little and read on.

Eating 3 meals a day may have been common practice in western countries since the industrial revolution, but this is all set to change. According to a survey in 1997 by Coles Supermarkets (Australia), around 50% of adults eat only one main meal per day and for the remainder, graze on snack foods.

The question is; who is better off? The three meal per day eaters or the people who eat smaller meals at more frequent intervals throughout the day (grazers)?

Your mother may well have told you that snacking between meals was bad for your appetite, teeth and weight, but many researchers disagree!

In 1963, a small study at the Ohio State University Health Center gave an early indication of the benefits of grazing. The study showed that subjects who ate their food in a series of ten snacks experienced lower cholesterol levels than subjects who ate the same number of calories compacted into one meal. Also, twenty-five years later, Professor David Jenkins from the University of Toronto gave exactly the same amount of food to grazers and three meal a day eaters. This study found that the grazers experienced a 135 drop in their nasty LDL cholesterol (LDL-low density lipoproteins, is the ‘bad’ cholesterol, just by the way). Researchers concluded that grazing reduces cholesterol production by the liver. These findings have since been replicated at the Trinity College Medical School in Dublin, Ireland.

More recently, a British Nutrition Foundation study found that eating a small meal ‘every now and then’ also helps prevent hunger pangs and food binges, as well as maintaining more constant energy levels.

However, it is unfair to claim that three meal-a-day eaters are more overweight than their grazing counterparts. Overweight people are often encouraged to eat only three times a day and to avoid snacks. They may also under-report the amount of number of snacks they eat. Both behaviours tend to skew the statistics to imply that grazing creates a lower body weight. The truth is that it may be just the leaner people are more likely to snack - it’s probably not a cause and effect situation.

In fact a study by the New York University found that three meal-a-day eaters actually use 50 more calories a day to digest and metabolise their food than do grazers. The study suggests that in the long run this may even mean weight gain for the grazers.

Confused?

Well, the bottom line is that the issue isn’t whether or not you snack, it’s what you snack on. Turning your three meals a day into a series of high fat snacks is a recipe for disaster. Research shows that high fat snacks only weakly suppress the appetite and can lead to consumption of extra calories. In contrast, high carbohydrate snacks reduce hunger and have little association with increased body weight.

So when hunger drives your thoughts, think smart and snack smart. A piece of fruit is still the most nutritious snack around, but if it doesn’t fill the spot, food bars are another good choice - fruit bars, breakfast bars, muesli bars, sports bars or even chocolate bars. If it is close to training time, make sure the bar meets the following guidelines: less than 4 grams of fat and more than 20 grams of carbohydrate in each bar.

Snacks of all types can offer good nutrition - fruit muffins, toast, fruit bread, half a sandwich or roll, cracker breads, yoghurt, baked potato, dried fruit, flavoured milk, doner kebab, popcorn, tin of baked beans. Even cereal and milk is a good snack anytime of the day. A low fat sweet treat could include sorbet, confectionery, soft drink or fruit juice. As you can see you’re limited only by your imagination, just be a bit careful with the fat content.

Try these for snacks:

* Toast with peanut butter of ricotta cheese and jam
* Low fat muesli bar
* Piece of fresh fruit
* Single serve can of fruit
* Smoothies with reduced fat milk
* English muffins with banana and ricotta
* Low-fat, flavoured yoghurt
* Dried fruit and nut mix
* Sandwich with pesto, tomato and cucumber
* Baked bean jaffle
* Microwave heated corncob
* Home made fruit muffins (Au bon pain muffins, if you are lazy like me)

Have a great week.

Carpe’ diem

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