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King Chulalongkorn
the Great
Fond memories of a Great King
This Monday, October 23, the Kingdom of Thailand is
observing Chulalongkorn Day. It is a national holiday, and as such, all
banks and most offices will be closed for the day. The following is a
tribute to a great King in Thailand’s history.
 His
Majesty King Chulalongkorn the Great
His Majesty King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) was
born in 1853, the son of His Majesty King Mongkut (Rama IV) and Her
Majesty Queen Thep Sirinthorn. In 1868, He was given the title Duke ‘Meun
Phikhartnaresueansurasangkas.’
King Chulalongkorn ascended the throne in 1868, with
the title ‘Phrabat Somdej Phra Paraminthra Maha Chulalongkorn
Bodinthorn Thep Phaya Maha Mongkut Burutsaya Ratanaraj Rawiwong
Warut-tapong Saboripatara Wora Khatiyaraj Nikarodom Jaturatana Borom Maha
Chakarapaddiraj Sangart Boromtammika Maha Raja Thiraj Boromanat Bopitara
Phra Chulachomklao Chao Yoo Hua’.
His Majesty King Chulalongkorn lived with one purpose
in his mind and heart: the happiness and well-being of the Siamese people.
His Majesty would often dress as a commoner and move among his people with
only two or three advisors. In this way, he could find out how his
subjects really felt and see what was happening in his Kingdom.
There is one famous story of His Majesty and two
counselors who, after a hard day’s travel, stopped at a farmer’s house
to ask for a drink of water. Rural hospitality being a hallmark of Thai
people, the family asked the three strangers to stay and have food with
them. Speaking freely, the farmer and his wife told the strangers of how
their life was progressing and what they would like to see done for their
village by the ‘Great King who lives in the Palace in Bangkok.’ The
farmer’s son noticed that one of the strangers looked familiar. He went
and looked at a daguerreotype the family had of the King. Running back to
the group, the family learned that they were serving food to the ‘Lord
of Life’ in Siam. King Chulalongkorn the Great did this often and thus
became ‘in touch’ with the needs of the Siamese people.
Another story of the great love and respect happened in
1893. The territory hungry French had formulated a plan to take the
Siamese territory of Laos and certain valuable territories on the Eastern
Seaboard which produced precious rubies and sapphires.
In a carefully formulated plan, a French warship
entered the Chao Phraya River. It was required by international law that
all foreign ships fly their colors when entering the waters of another
sovereign country. The French deliberately did not do this. When hailed by
the river guard to fly their colors, the French ignored the guard. The
guard fired a warning shot over the French ship’s bow.
The French Embassy in Bangkok was prepared in advance
to carry out the plan. Bringing a letter sent from France months before
the incident, it stated that Siam had performed an act of aggression on
the French and must pay huge reparations.
The French were not prepared for what happened
next. Hearing of the huge demands, Siamese both wealthy and poor brought
cartloads of jewels, precious metals and every valuable possible to the
Royal Palace and offered it to His Majesty to keep the French out of Siam.
The French had not imagined that Siam was so wealthy
and the people so devoted to their King.
Siam was able to pay the reparations but the French,
deciding this was not enough, took all Siamese territory east of the
Mekong River.
His Majesty King Chulalongkorn was wise, knowing that
Siam could not resist the French and British and held the motto of ‘giving
up some so as not to lose all.’
Siam lost over 160,000 sq. kilometers of territory to
the French and British. She also knew that she was a ‘buffer’ state
and it was in these two countries interest to ‘use’ Siam.
His Majesty King Chulalongkorn was the first Siamese
monarch to visit the West. He believed in adopting all things good from
the West while Siam kept Her culture. The wise King Chulalongkorn made
Russia a strong ally of Siam to counteract the British and French
influence in SE Asia. He followed the Chinese concept of ‘have strong
allies but make sure their borders are far away.’
Many of the Royal Princes were sent to study in Russia.
In His letters to His sons, King Chulalongkorn wisely warned them ‘do
not feel that you are important because you are a prince. In Siam, there
are many Princes, whereas in Russia there are few. Do the best you can at
your studies and that is enough.’
King Chulalongkorn’s most noteworthy achievement in
Siam was the abolition of slavery. He did not do this in a haphazard
manner as it was done in other countries. He devised a complex method of
‘freeing’ slaves so that older ones would not be left in poverty with
no place to live. Younger slaves were to be released by ‘stages’,
responsibility falling to the owner to see that they had a way of
supporting themselves.
His Majesty King Chulalongkorn the Great is beloved of
Thai people and considered a truly ‘enlightened’ ruler among
historians. His Majesty died on October 25th, 1910, after the second
longest reign in the history of the Thai nation.
He is remembered and loved by the Thai people and the
date of his death is commemorated every year. Ceremonies are held,
offerings are made to his memory and the entire student body from the
university that bears his name perform obeisance before his statue.
Would that all countries were so lucky to have one such
enlightened ruler in their collective histories.
The spectacle of the
annual Chonburi water buffalo races
Every year around the full moon day of the 11th lunar
month (usually in October or November), to celebrate the end of Buddhist
Lent the province of Chonburi hosts the unique spectacle of water buffalo
racing. This year, according to the Buddhist Lunar calendar, the end of
Buddhist Lent fell on October 13.
 A
jockey perches precariously on the rump of his steed, the only place he can
get his knees locked onto the buffalo to hopefully avoid falling off.
Devout Buddhists all over Thailand perform merit-making
ceremonies at local temples on the day following the end of Buddhist Lent.
In Chonburi, they started the celebrations a day early with the annual water
buffalo races on October 12.
Chonburi’s buffalo races have become quite a festival.
Complete with “Miss Buffalo” (a woman, not a beast) and “Most Healthy
Buffalo” contests, as well as a parade and carnival, Chonburi is
transformed into a large party when the area’s prize beasts are brought in
to determine which is the fastest.
 Chonburi
Governor Sujarit Pachimnan and Sonthaya Khunpleum lead the procession of 13
water buffalo carts through the streets of Chonburi.
The races and festival are thought to have begun
centuries ago when Chonburi was the center of trade for the eastern part of
Thailand. Farmers and merchants from the region would descend on
Chonburi’s Ban Beung District to trade their goods, bringing their produce
and wares by way of buffalo drawn carts. The temple grounds near the market
became the resting area for the water buffalo, and at the end of Buddhist
Lent, and before leaving Chonburi, they would gather and race their buffalo
for a bit of fun and camaraderie.
 Ms.
(or is it Mr.?) models the latest in water buffalo fashion
During the reign of King Rama VI, His Majesty King
Mongkut visited Chonburi and proudly witnessed the event on 7 December 1912,
giving prominence to the event.
This year’s event began when Deputy Minister of
Interior Sonthaya Khunpluem struck the gong to release a procession of 13
water buffalo driven carts that wound through the city streets, announcing
the races were about to begin.
Chonburi Governor Sujarit Pachimnan and members of the
private sector and the local government office who organized the day’s
activities joined the parade, which included a long procession of marching
bands, groups of long drums, students in traditional dress and beauty
contestants. The Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and
Cooperatives Withaya Khunpleum and the members of the provincial council
took part in the ride around the city, which ended back at the athletic
field by the Provincial Office Building.
 “Coming
down the final stretch and Secretariat has the lead...”
Activities held throughout the day included comical
clowns, a review of the decorated water buffalo, contestants climbing oiled
poles, a slingshot shooting contest and beauty contests. Groups performed
Traditional Thai dance. Stalls were set up to sell food and drinks, and a
number of other exhibits were on display as well
The water buffalo were decorated and adorned with
flowers, for the top prize for best decorated buffalo is almost as coveted
as the prize for the fastest buffalo. Before the races begin, a sacred
ceremony is conducted displaying gratitude for the rains that are about to
end and asking for a healthy and successful coming year.
 “Samlo
bikes” with beauty contestants
The races themselves are rather comical, as the normally
placid animals, some nearly as big around as they are tall, thunder down a
dirt track with jockeys precariously perched on their rumps, the only place
they can get their knees locked onto the buffalo. It is not uncommon for the
jockey to fall off and for his buffalo to run amok, usually into the crowd,
scattering people in all directions. When this happens, discretion is
definitely the better part of valor, as water buffaloes can weigh up to a
ton and their horns can be a meter or more wide.
 Contestants
in traditional dress contest
A series of 110-meter races are run in different weight
brackets. Between races, an attempt is made to keep the buffaloes cool in
the hot tropical sun by dousing them with water shot out of fire hoses.
At the end of the day, a “champion” is crowned, the
working animals are returned to the fields and the crowd disburses to
continue the merriment long into the night and for many days to come.
Austrians throughout
the Kingdom celebrate 45th National Day October 26
On October 26, Austria will observe the 45th
anniversary of the day on which Austria’s sovereignty was restored, when
the Austrian Nationalrat enacted the Federal Constitutional Law on
the permanent neutrality of Austria. October 26, 1955, the day when
Austria, after a dark period of annexation, war and occupation, began to
develop, modernize and restructure its economy.
 Schönbrunn
Palace, Vienna. Photo by Dan Dorothy
The years leading up to Austria regaining her
sovereignty were particularly difficult for many her people. On March 12,
1938, German troops invaded Austria. The next day, Austria’s Anschluss
to the German Reich was completed, and on April 10 of the same year it was
“legalized” by means of a plebiscite. The Ostmarkgesetz (1939) erased
the occupied country as a national entity; the name of Austria was
abolished.
Shortly afterwards the second world war broke out and
all able-bodied male Austrians were called up. However, many Austrians
joined the resistance movement against the National Socialist regime, but
many of them ended up in Nazi prison and death camps or were executed.
The resistance movements, which became more active
towards the end of the war, established contact with the Allied troops
that were advancing towards Austria to expedite the liberation of Austria.
As early as April 27, 1945, the provisional national government under Karl
Renner declared Austria’s independence. They made explicit reference to
the Moscow Declaration of 1943 in which the restoration of an independent
Austrian state had been specified as one of the war objectives of the
Allies. The Allied troops which were advancing from the east, the south
and the west divided the country into four zones of occupation. Although
there was hunger and chaos throughout the country, the first free
elections took place as early as November 1945. They ended with a clear
majority for the democratic parties. Austria had once more become a state
which enjoyed the full loyalty of its citizens.
 St
Stephens Cathedral in Vienna. Photo by Dan Dorothy
Apart from the economic reconstruction, the main goal
of the Austrian government was the restoration of national sovereignty.
Initial hopes for the prompt signing of a state treaty were soon shattered
by the East-West conflict and the beginning of the Cold War. The turning
point came only when the two superpowers ultimately defined their
respective spheres of influence in Europe, in consequence of which the
Soviet Union found itself ready to resolve the Austrian question by a
negotiated settlement independently of the German question. This finally
led to the breakthrough at the Moscow negotiations in April 1955. On May
15, 1955 the State Treaty was signed in Vienna’s baroque Belvedere
Palace.
On October 26, 1955, Austria’s sovereignty was
restored when the Austrian Nationalrat enacted the Federal
Constitutional Law on the permanent neutrality of Austria.
Austria today is a country rich in sights and
experiences which attract guests from far and wide. Austria is indeed the
“land of mountains, land of the river, land of fields, land of
cathedrals” praised in its national anthem. Austria has beautiful lakes,
breathtaking mountains, lush valleys, and historic cities with magnificent
churches, castles and museums, world-famous music festivals and regional
folklore events. Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, Johann Straus
and Mahler all composed in Austria, spurred on by an enthusiastic public
and inspired by the country’s charms.
Since regaining her sovereignty, Austria has also been
active in world events. Austria became a member of the United Nations in
December 1955, and in the following years it participated frequently in UN
peace-keeping operations. Since 1979 Vienna has been one of the permanent
seats of the United Nations.
The bilateral trade between Thailand and Austria has
developed to substantial volume since the early eighties, when it started
from a small amount of approximately 400 million baht. It once grew to
over 10 billion baht, but naturally dropped off in the wake of the Asian
crisis. Since the crisis, however, bilateral trade has been experiencing a
period of re-growth.
Generally speaking, Austria exports mainly high-quality
products to Thailand, the unit value of which is significantly higher than
the average of Austrian exports. Approximately 70% consists of items
helping to increase productivity in industry. Environmental technology has
traditionally been a focal point.
As for imports, with the exception of a few years, the
trade balance has always been in favor of Thailand.
Leaving aside mere figures, many Austrian companies
want to maintain their commitment to Thailand. Austrian economists see the
present economic changes in Asia as an opportunity to strengthen
Austria’s presence in this area. An increasing number of Austrian
companies are particularly considering direct investment in Thailand.
Thai companies looking for new opportunities and
prospective business partners are welcome to contact the Austrian Embassy,
Commercial Section 9 Austrian Trade Commission), Tel. 268-2222, Fax
268-2226.
Oktoberfest at Amari
Orchid
Last weekend was the day for the German community -
especially those who like beer! To celebrate the famous Munich Oktoberfest,
the Amari Orchid Resort’s German born General Manager Jo Stetten put on
his best German shirt, outfitted his daughter in lederhosen and met the
enthusiastic German community who came for a night of oom-pah-pah and
clinking beer glasses under the stars, along with gorging on a large
selection of German foods, carefully prepared under the watchful eye of
Executive Chef Stefan Heller.
 Chonburi
Governor Sujarit Pachimnan drove the nail into the first barrel to declare
open the Oktoberfest-invities at the Amari Orchid Resort.
The evening’s entertainment, managed by der ringmeister
Khun Tippawan, was declared open by the Governor of Chonburi, Sujarit
Pachimnan, who drove the nail into the first barrel.
Despite the attempts by the “rainmeister” in the sky
to dampen the proceedings, the quick acting Amari staff had the food under
cover in seconds. Not so fortunate were the serving Mไdchen at the
busy beer counter, who quickly looked as if they were entrants in a wet
T-shirt contest! However, they took it all in good stead and continued to
serve the Erdinger, Warsteiner and other European brews.
The evening was peppered (pfeffered?) with novelty
events, including the Formula 1 fast beer drinking contest which was won by
the defending champion (a German I think) but I did note that Jo Stetten
came last!
It was a good night for not only the German community,
and undoubtedly they will all line up again for next year’s Oktoberfest!
Sri Lankans plan
Benevolent Mission to Pattaya
Activities and donations at the Drug
Rehabilitation Centre
H.E. Karunathilaka Amunugama, the Ambassador of Sri
Lanka, will lead a delegation of 60 Sri Lankan residents of Thailand on a
goodwill visit to the Ban Poonsri Oupatham drug Rehabilitation Centre in
Soi Potisan this coming Sunday October 22nd.
His Excellency learned of the plight the many
unfortunate children who have become victims of the vicious drugs that are
now so readily available to the youth of our country. He was also advised
about the tireless work of Pol. Col. Jirat Pichitpai and his unique
methods of prevention, suppression and cure of the unfortunate youth who
have been misled into the dark world of mind and body destroying drugs.
His Excellency decided to make it his sacred objective to see the problem
with his own eyes.
This Sunday His Excellency Karunathilaka Amunugama
along with Mr. Gamini Abeysekera, the representative of UNICEF in
Thailand, will join hands with the community of Pattaya including Sopin
Thappajug, Associate Judge of the Chonburi Juvenile Court and other
ranking officials to bring some spiritual and physical relief to the
inmates of the centre who, with the help of the kind hearted ‘Father’
Jirat, are working hard within themselves to kick the habit and rejoin
society uprightly and with pride.
On this charitable mission the Sri Lankan Ambassador
and members of his community will listen to a presentation by Pol. Col.
Jirat about his work with the prodigal children. After which a luncheon
has been arranged for the youth at the home. The community will then join
forces to perform other activities to help improve the environment in and
around the centre. Some amenities such as clean water drinking fountains,
garden benches and foodstuffs including rice, noodles and the staple
‘Nam Pla’ will be donated to supplement the needs of the children. The
ambassador has also pledged to bear the costs of repairing insulation
under the heat conducting tin roofs and the cement floors.
Members of the Pattaya Community are invited to join
hands with our most gracious visitors on this crusade and make this Sunday
most sublime not only for yourselves but also for the unfortunate.
Meet at the Ban Poonsri Oupatham Drug Rehabilitation
Centre at 10 a.m. on Sunday 22nd October 2000. (See Map Below)
Sutlet Group happy
with BCCT
The Sutlet Group (Bangkok), the joint venture formed by
Gordon Sutton and Colin Bartlett, was very pleased with the response at the
British Chamber of Commerce Thailand Pub Night held at Shenanigan’s Irish
Pub last weekend.
 (L
to R) Gordon Sutton, Kim Fletcher and Colin Bartlett hosts of the BCCT Pub
Night at Shenanigans.
With Sutlet being the principal sponsor of the evening,
it gave the group the opportunity to present its wares and services to the
business community from the Eastern Seaboard. Partner Colin Bartlett being
quick to point out that he felt that the upsurge of industrial activity in
this region had prompted them to come down to Pattaya to meet and network
with the local business force.
As is the norm at these networking evenings, many
business cards changed hands and all present were in agreement that the BCCT
are supplying an excellent opportunity to expand business connections on the
Eastern Seaboard.
Rotarians return to
College
Congratulate Bhichai Rattakul’s nomination
as Rotary International President
Story and photo
by P.P. Pratheep Malhotra
Rotarians in Thailand yearning for more knowledge on
Rotary matters converged on the Miracle Grand Hotel for the first ever
Rotary College in Thailand. District Governor (3350) Chow Nararidh
organized and Past District Governor Xanxai Visitkul chaired this seminar
of Rotary Learning.
In their opening statements both PDG Xanxai and DG Cow
stressed the importance of such a college. This was to bring together past
presidents, presidents and presidents elect to be acquainted with Rotary
all over again.
One of the main programmes that was discussed was the
preparation of the 70th Anniversary celebrations of Rotary in Thailand.
 HE
Bhichai Rattakul is congratulated by the four district governors of
Thailand, DG Noppadol Anonthaweelat (3360), DG Chow Nararidh (3350), DG
Premprecha Dibbayawan (3340) and DG Ratch Sri-Isan (3330).
DG Chow Nararidh said that the Telephone Organisation
of Thailand, at the request of Rotary in Thailand would produce and
distribute 10,000 telephone cards bearing the 70th year celebrations’
theme this year. The Post and Telegraph Organisation would issue a 2 Baht
stamp to commemorate the anniversary. The Rotarian, R.I.’s
official magazine has dedicated nine pages entirely to Thailand in its
October issue. Stories of our Monarch and our country along with the story
of Rotary in Thailand are featured.
On the 24th of November, Rotary in Thailand will have
its own show on Thai TV Channel 11 between 22.30 hrs up until 01.00 hrs.
During the show many people of prominence and film and singing stars will
be on hand to receive phone calls and accept pledges of donations. As is
known, funds raised will be dedicated to Rotary’s charitable projects.
Guest of honour was the most respected Rotarian in
Thailand, HE Bhichai Rattakul, President of Parliament, Deputy Prime
Minister, Past District Governor and Past Rotary International Director.
To top off this list, His Excellency has just made history by becoming the
first Thai nominated as the President of Rotary International for the year
2002-2003.
Khun Bhichai reminisced about one great Rotarian, the
late PDG Nelson Alexander who had worked tirelessly and fought endlessly
with the Rotary bureaucracy in trying to get the first Thai and not just
any Thai to achieve this position. His resolve finally bore fruit. Sadly
PDG Nelson is not here to rejoice in this victory with us.
Khun Bhichai said that the RI theme for the year
2002-2003 would be based on vauluable advice that PDG Nelson had given him
throughout the years. He asked Thai Rotarians to help him design the theme
logo and pin for his year, stressing that it should be a small one and not
the huge shields and hubcap sized pins that the Americans are so fond of.
Before departure to the United States of America to
prepare for this valiant task, Khun Bhichai would humbly beg for blessings
from His Majesty the King who is the Patron of Rotary in Thailand.
District Governor Premprecha Dibbayawan of district
3340 said passionately in his congratulatory message, “Thailand has 240
Rotary Clubs with 5413 members, Korea has 1055 Rotary Clubs with 37,796
members, Taiwan has 406 Rotary Clubs with 15,642 members. But none are as
lucky as Thailand. Thank you your Excellency. For by your revered aura and
holy blessings, you have brought much honour and pride to our country.”
EXPO 2000 - The German
Pavilion - Bridges to the Future
by Marion Vogt
Our second stop in Hanover led us to the German Pavilion,
which is the house of the hosts at the EXPO 2000, the first World Exposition
to take place in Germany. The Federal Government, the 16 states and the “Expo-Beteiligungsgesellschaft
der Deutschen Wirtschaft”, the specially formed company through which
the German business community is participating in Expo 2000, have come
together to create for the first time a joint presentation at a World
Exposition.
The Building
The fa็ade of the German Pavilion is composed of
2900 glass elements, allowing visitors to catch glimpses of the German
exhibition at Expo 2000 even before they enter. The curve of the wooden roof
and the concave glass fa็ade represent a gesture of welcome to all
visitors from all over the world. The architect and investor Joseph Wund
sees the gentle shapes and the transparency of the building as representing
a deliberate distancing from the rigid Prussian attitudes of Germany’s
past and the continuation of the democratic tradition by architectural
means. The building’s openness and lightness of design have been made
possible by state-of-the-art construction technology. Elements of glass and
steel are combined with the natural material wood, creating a union between
innovative technology and age-old tradition.
 One
of the statues made out of gypsum, representing the past and present heads
of Germany
The Show area: “Thinking – Feeling – Acting”
Under the motto “Germany – Bridges to the future”
the Pavilion is seeking to present a picture of a Germany that is
transforming itself and is subject to a constant process of change, in order
to be in a position to make determined use of future opportunities. To this
extent the open architecture of the building is intended to do more than
simply demonstrate state-of-the-art technology. And the show and exhibition
area represents through its contents an impressive realisation of this aim,
in such a form, that it will turn a visit into an experience.
Part one: Thinking. Germany lives from the wealth of
knowledge and experience possessed by its people. In the entrance area of
the German Pavilion visitors will stroll along catwalks through “Germany
– a workshop of ideas”, a sculptor’s workshop where work is in full
swing. Everything is still in the process of creation; everything is in a
state of flux. 47 finished and half-finished statues and busts of well-known
and less well-known Germans are to be seen. They stand for the past, present
and future of Germany in all the varied facets of its political, cultural,
business, scientific and sporting life. And they also stand for ideas that
have helped Germany progress, and will help it progress further in the
future.
 The
writer’s favorite item of the German Pavilion’s showpieces: the VW
beetle as a classic example of Germany being the pioneer in technology &
mass production.
The “Workshop of ideas” is not a museum and not a
Hall of Fame; it seeks to be bold, unusual and challenging. The visitor can
and should become personally acquainted with men and women who have achieved
positive things for the country.
You find a “Tigerente”, a cult symbol of
children from “Janosch”, next to a Teddy bear, invented by
Margarete Steiff and a sculpture of her, as well as a portrait of Steffi
Graf, the best female tennis player in the world and Germany’s most
successful sportswoman for a whole decade.
Just to mention a few of the 47 statues: Konrad Adenauer,
the first Chancellor of the German Federal Republic. Marlene Dietrich,
Germany’s only star of the silver screen to achieve world fame. Petra
Kelly, the co-founder of the Greens, who devoted herself to the fight for
universal human rights, peace with nature and freedom from violence. Dr.
Motte, the founder of the Love Parade, which in 1989 first made its
procession along Berlin’s Kurfrstendamm with just 150
participants. Nowadays, more than one million young people turn up every
year for this mega-event in Berlin.
 Exponale
is the name of the connecting bridge between the 2 main settings of the
Expo’s parks, leading the way to the so-called largest marketplace in
Europe.
Part 2: Feeling. Screens - above, below, to the
right, to the left, in front and behind: film pictures covering 360 degrees
in both dimensions – the horizontal and the vertical. There are six
bridges giving access to an “experience space”, 70 metres long, 25
metres wide and 17 metres high, which is a walk-in film and a walk-in stage
set at one and the same time. These bridges are symbolic: “Bridges to the
future” is the motto of this show at the heart of the German Pavilion and
of Germany’s entire contribution to EXPO 2000. The outsize
cinema-in-the-round shows images of eventful moments from Germany’s recent
past, but also and in particular from its present and future. The film takes
a starting point at a neighbourhood party in the inner courtyard of a
housing block in Berlin. People come together, exchange reminiscences and
talk about their wishes for the future, their ideas, their dreams and their
visions. Germany is seen from an unaccustomed angle and felt as a gut
experience – a Germany that is heading for the 21 st
century that is changing itself and its outward appearance and lives from
the fact that many people are taking their future in this country into their
own hands, responsibly and with self- assurance.
Part 3: Acting. In “A German Kaleidoscope” we
experienced the variety of Germany and of its 16 states. Around a 15 metre
high steel structure, the “Tree of Knowledge”, is grouped 16 unique
exhibits that each stand for the innovative capabilities of one of the
individual states and its power to shape events. Among the unique items on
display for example are: the Dasa space laboratory from Bremen, the
Gutenberg Bible from Rhineland and the first Benz Patent motor carriage from
Baden Wrttemberg. This “Media Garden” gives every visitor to the
German Pavilion an immediate experience of creativity, innovation and the
ability to get things done.
“A German Kaleidoscope” is supported by a virtual
film panorama. These are 35 projection surfaces on which a kaleidoscope of
film tells of Germany and its different faces. Impressive streams of
meditative images allow space for association and intuition.
When we think back now about the feelings we had and
shared, while strolling through this Pavilion, we were proud to see our home
country to be presented in this way.: its people, its culture and its
perspective for the future. It was a cross-section of Germany’s culture
and creativity such as has never been presented in this way before.
Guide to Selecting a
Small Dog
by C. Schloemer
Introduction (Part One)
There are many advantages to owning a small dog. It
eats less than its larger contemporaries and is not such a drain on the
household budget. It does not take up much space and is better suited to a
smaller house and garden. Some toy breeds can adapt happily to apartment
life because their exercise requirements are modest.
 Long-haired
Dachshund
It would, however, be wrong to assume that because a
dog is diminutive it does not enjoy a good walk. A study of breed profiles
in this column will show that while some fairly small dogs, such as the
French Bulldog, will adapt a take it or leave it attitude towards
exercise, the saucy little Pekinese will readily walk for long distances.
Small dogs, such as the Tibetan Spaniel or the Cavalier
King Charles Spaniel (the largest of the toys), are ideal companions for
children and will not knock them over in play as a bigger dog might do. On
the other hand, toy breeds can often prove snappy, if provoked by tiny,
inexperienced hands.
When choosing a pet which is also to perform guard
duties, a small dog can be just as effective as a large one. Few people
can distinguish between the furious barking of a Dachshund and that of a
more traditional guarding breed behind a closed door.
Many small breeds are blessed with supreme intelligence
and some, like the Shetland Sheepdog, perform admirably in obedience work.
Others do well in the show ring, to which they can be easily transported
due to their small size. Another advantage to owning a small dog is that
they live to an old age; fifteen years is not unusual.
When choosing a small dog, it is vital to realise that
as well as coming in different shapes and sizes, small dogs have
individual characteristics and needs. Terriers, for example, are vivacious
dogs which were bred to hunt small mammals, and though they can be lots of
fun to own, they are not the ideal choice for the elderly who may be
happier with a gentle gun dog or a breed from the hound group.
You should bear in mind your own lifestyle and
environment when selecting a breed. For instance, someone who is
especially house proud will not want a dog with a long coat which sheds
hair all over the furniture. Expense should be taken into consideration
when selecting breeds which require trips to the grooming salon.
Once you have decided on the breed you want to own, you
should make inquires with the national kennel club or veterinarians for
names and addresses of the breeders in your region. Thailand has a
surprising variety of breeds. A visit to one of Thailand’s dog shows
will give you an idea of the availability of international breeds in the
Kingdom.
Dog or Bitch?
An important decision you will need to make is whether
to buy a dog or a bitch. Both sexes make good pets. The bitch usually has
a gentler nature than the dog; she is almost always chosen for obedience
work and makes a reliable child’s companion. The dog has a more roving
nature and is constantly attracted to the opposite sex, unlike the bitch
which does not look for a suitor except for her twice-yearly season.
However, this is a personal choice.
Swiss Jazz Live in
Bangkok
D&M Music Studio presents a jazz concert by
well-known and professional jazz group from Switzerland “B.Connected”.
 B.Connected
Founded in September 1994, the ensemble consists of
highly trained musicians from most jazz schools in Switzerland, namely
Eugene Montenero (guitar), Moreno Helmy (soprano saxophone), Youri Gonard
(tenor saxophone), Didier Blum (drums), Pascal Macheret (bass), J.D. Cicco
(percussion) and Christophe Konig (keyboard).
The group has performed successfully since 1994
throughout Switzerland in many jazz festivals, including the Montreus Jazz
Festival and International Festival of Arts in China 1999. From
October-November 2000, B.Connected is touring re-engagement concerts in
China in the Beijing International Jazz Festival 2000, Guanzhou, Kunming,
Chengdu and Chongging. Other destinations including Hong Kong, Singapore,
Malaysia and Thailand.
Their only one live concert in Bangkok will be held on
Tuesday, October 31, at 8.00 p.m. at Pridi Banomyong Institute on Soi
Sukhumvit 55 Road (Thonglor) between Soi 1 and 3.
Tickets are priced at 400 baht, 200 baht for students
with I.D. cards, and are available at Asia Books Sukhumvit, tel. 252-4373,
and D&M Music Studio, tel. 391-9318, 391-7429.
Copyright 2000 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]
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