HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Family Money

Snap Shots

Modern Medicine

Women's World

Heart to Heart with Hillary

Grapevine

Shaman's Rattle

Antiques, are they genuine?

Animal Crackers

The computer doctor

Social Commentary by Khai Khem

Roll over Rover

A Slice of Thai History

The Message In The Moon

Coins of the Realm

Family Money: The end is near (continued from last week)

By Leslie Wright,
Managing director of Westminster Portfolio Services (Thailand) Ltd.

Now that the business planning was in hand, and steps had been taken to ensure continuity of my company, my thoughts turned to other aspects of my estate planning. Fortunately I had already made a local will, clearly stipulating this covered only my assets in Thailand.

It is prudent estate planning to separate your local assets from any international assets, to mitigate estate duties - inheritance tax - that would become due to your government ‘back home’ if you had left all your assets under one international will drawn up by the dear old family solicitor back in Tunbridge Wells.

Many expatriate Brits forget that under UK inheritance tax laws, they are subject to IHT tax on their worldwide assets, and may leave a non-UK domiciled wife only ฃ55,000 above the nil-rate band of (currently) ฃ242,000.

While a UK-domiciled wife may inherit the entire estate tax free, gifts to other heirs are tax free below the nil-rate threshold of ฃ242,000 and tax is payable at 40% thereafter. So children and other beneficiaries may receive bequests amounting to not more than ฃ242,000 tax free. But a Thai wife may only receive ฃ55,000 on top of her share of this ฃ242,000 and the estate will have to pay 40% thereafter.

Hence, it may be sound estate planning to ensure that you have a separate will drawn up (in Thai) to cover all local assets; and have another will which specifically excludes Thailand to cover other international assets. You may, with a diverse international estate, be advised to have separate wills drawn up for each regime in which you hold assets. This is especially important in regimes where different inheritance laws would apply - such as common law countries like France and Spain.

A will should cover three key areas: first and foremost, the appointment of a personal representative (your executor) who will be tasked with ensuring your wishes are carried out. This person has to be aware of your circumstances and assets, and has to be willing and in a position to carry out your instructions and wishes. He or she will have to appoint agents (typically lawyers) in each of the countries in which you hold assets, who will be tasked with ensuring your death is proved in the courts of each of those regimes before the assets can be released to your heirs and beneficiaries.

It is prudent to specify a contingent representative, in case your first appointee is unable to carry out your wishes for some reason. Your personal representative is usually instructed in your will to pay all your debts, which of course do not cease upon your death. All your creditors have a claim on your estate before it can be otherwise distributed, although of course they have to prove their claim - in court if necessary.

Secondly, the will should instruct your personal representative in what manner you wish your mortal remains to be disposed of: burial or cremation; with or without religious ceremony; and any special instructions in this regard.

Thirdly, of course, your will stipulates who gets what. In the case of a Thai will, all assets should be listed in the will. This makes probate - passing the will through the court and getting legal permission to distribute the deceased’s assets as per his instructions to his heirs and beneficiaries - easier. (And easier means faster and less expensively.)

The list should include fixed assets in your own name such as vehicles (and should note licence number, chassis number and engine number); shares of companies in which you are a registered shareholder (e.g., the company that owns the land on which your house is situated); all local bank accounts (listing name & address of the bank and of course the account number and name in which it’s held); and items of personal effects such as jewellery, watches, etc.

Provision has to be made in your will for paying the costs associated with carrying out the tasks you’ve charged your personal representative with, and a reasonable fee for so doing.

I’d taken care of preparing a local will already, so it took only a short meeting with my legal representative to discuss any amendments that should be made in light of the changed circumstances that my oncologist had benighted me with.

My international estate planning had been done years earlier, and, fortunately, was very simple and straightforward. As I have no houses or other assets in UK, my case is much simpler than many of my clients. Especially those who like to think they’re immortal and have put off making a will. They forget that if they die without a will, their local ‘wife’ may well receive nothing from their estate, as she would have to prove in a court of law - in UK if she hoped to get any UK assets - that she was legally married to you and therefore entitled to a part of your estate.

But the kids from your previous marriage could, if they had a mind to, contest her claim (as indeed they could even if you’d drawn up a will) and that would at the very minimum tie up your estate in litigation at a time when your local family in Thailand may have no means of support now that you’re gone.

At least if you’d made a local will covering the local bank account, your local companion could have had relatively quick access to some cash, had that been your intention, even if you’d never formally married.

Most people never know when the Grim Reaper’s coming for them: I’ve been given notice. I hope that these insights into the estate planning that has been forced upon me by my own dramatically changed circumstances have been a useful wakeup call to those readers who have made no plans for their future beyond which bar they’re going to tonight.

Snap Shot: The Phuzzy Photo Phix

by Harry Flashman

One of the biggest problems in photography is what I call the fuzzy photo. Other descriptions are “soft” and “unsharp”. Whatever you call it, you end up with a photo that has no sharpness, no clear edges to the image and one that is passed up and forgotten, no matter how interesting the subject matter. Of course, the obvious exception is the soft romantic portrait - but for 99% of the time, the photo should be sharp.

Now what should you expect as a sharp image? Well, for my money, in a waist up shot, you should be able to see the eyelashes and individual teeth with clarity. No blurring and strong sharp edges everywhere.

By far and away, the most common cause of blurry photographs is what we call “Camera Shake”. If the camera is moving around when you pop the shutter then the end result is never going to be pin sharp. Just how many times do you see someone holding the camera in one hand while raising the fingers of the other and saying “Neung, Song, Saam”? Answer? Lots! There is no earthly need to raise the fingers as well, while saying the words. Just say, “I will count to three” and do it while firmly gripping the camera between both of your hands. Please! And remember, if needs be, lean on a post, or rest the elbows on a table just to ensure the camera is really held steady.

The next most obvious cause is too slow a shutter speed, relative to the lens being used. It is difficult enough to hold a camera steady at 1/60th of a second with a standard lens. With a telephoto you need an even faster shutter speed to stop the exaggeration of shake caused by the “enlarging” nature of the lens. In general the shutter speed should be the reciprocal of the length of the lens. Now, while that sounds difficult, it just means that if the lens is 250 mm then the shutter speed needs to be 1/250th or faster. Likewise if you have a 500 mm lens in the bag then you must use 1/500th of a second if you are hand holding the camera. Simple!

The next reason for fuzzy prints is incorrect focussing technique by you, the photographer. If yours is a split image viewfinder, then make sure you do it correctly and exactly for every shot. If needs be turn the camera sideways to get a sharp line to focus on before you return to the right way up. For faces I use the lips or the eyes to get the sharpness.

If you have an autofocus (AF) camera you haven’t escaped, you can still get out of focus shots. In fact, I think most people find they get more out of focus shots. You MUST have the subject in the centre of the viewfinder when you take up the focus, otherwise the camera can have the background in focus instead of the subject. This is particularly important if shooting couples. The camera “looks” through between the people, so has the background in focus, but the couple in the foreground at out of focus. Got a few of those back?

There is yet another way you can get back a book of blurry pictures - the photo-processing outlet does not focus its printing machine correctly. This has happened to me before I found my current photo-processing outlet (Kodak on 2nd Road, just past the Golden Beach Hotel). The first time I noticed this, I got back this dreadful set of prints from another lab. I had been having some camera problems and I was almost ready to put it down to that when I decided to have a look at the negatives. Perfect! Taking the negatives to my current outlet returned me a set of crisply sharp photographs.

So there you have it. Hold the camera in two hands, brace yourself or lean on an immovable object, select a fast enough shutter speed and check your negatives! The secrets of sharp pictures are yours!

Modern Medicine: Rabies Free Zone. That’s what the sign says!

by Dr Iain Corness, Consultant

There is a wonderful sign on Jomtien Beach, proclaiming it to be a “Rabies Free Zone”. How fortunate we are that all the rabid, free-ranging dogs in Jomtien can read and stay well away from the sand, deckchairs and umbrellas (all neatly spaced and in a perfect geometric row, of course)!

From the clinical point of view, rabies is an interesting disease, other than the fact that you don’t want to get it! There is a misconception that you can only get rabies from rabid, frothing dogs. Unfortunately you can also get this nasty disease from a veritable menagerie of animals such as bats, cattle, sheep, horses, pigs, goats, skunks, raccoons, monkeys and mongooses. You can also get it from other humans - so don’t go out and get bitten by anyone or anything! The most common species carrying rabies are dogs and monkeys - animal life of which Thailand has just a few.

According to the World Health Organization, the only rabies free countries are Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Japan, Singapore, U.K., Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and some Caribbean Islands. Note that Thailand does not appear on that list! There is another list, showing the countries where post-exposure treatment has been given. We are on it. Thailand has around 150,000 cases a year! You read it correctly - one hundred and fifty thousand cases a year. So is this a cause for concern? Yes!

Non-vaccinated, untreated, bitten people go through what we call a ‘prodromal’ phase and then to paralysis and death. Round about 100% fatality too. The incubation period is also noteworthy. Generally around 20-90 days, but this can as short as 4 days or as long as 19 years! Now, how long ago was it that you got bitten by that dog? The mathematical studies on the human incidence that have been done on travellers indicates that the actual risk is around 1/1000 travellers per month of travel. This is actually a greater risk than typhoid, meningitis, cholera or hepatitis B.

With those sort of statistics, why are people not clamouring for rabies vaccination? Probably because nobody thinks they are going to get bitten by a rabid animal - particularly on Jomtien Beach where we are protected by a sign!

The actual immunization procedure can be tricky, in that medication for malaria prophylaxis can impair the vaccine when injected into the skin layers. However, deep intramuscular vaccination is untroubled by the anti-malarial drugs. The course is three injections over the period of one month on days 0, 7 and 28. Since this lasts for around two years, get the rabies shots out of the way early if you want the (cheaper) intra-dermal route, before you start to take the drugs to protect against malaria. Like the famous credit card, as far as rabies immunization is concerned - don’t leave home without it!

So what happens if you get bitten and you haven’t had the pre-exposure vaccine? Firstly, clean the wound and then hightail it off to the emergency room. The next step is administration of rabies immunoglobulin, with half of it directly into the wound and the rest into your waiting bottom! In addition, you should receive the immunization injections on days 1, 8, 15 and 29 as well. Not fun. Go and get immunized!

Women’s World: “Women hold up half the sky,” Mao Tsetung

by Lesley Warner

The land of the Inca’s has amazing landscapes, wildlife and history but what a dangerous and troubled land it is to live in, whether from natural catastrophes or those instigated by man.

When I decided to look at the lives of women in Peru I didn’t realize just how difficult it has been for them, involved in years of revolution. During my reading I sensed an almost fanatical commitment from the women that decided to be a part of the Peruvian revolution. It seems the women in Peru have faced all kinds of oppression and poverty for generations, from family to school to everyday social life. So when the revolution started they saw an opportunity and took it. 30,000 lives were lost and the women participated on equal terms with their male counterparts. These female Guerrilla fighters lived and died for their cause. Fanatics? Maybe, but would we feel as committed if we lived in a country where the landlord and his thugs have the “right” to routinely rape peasant women?

I found this quote rather chilling: “One cannot appear neutral in Ayacucho and survive. If you are a radical right, only the soldiers try to kill you. If you are a terrorist, only the police and military try to kill you. If you are in the middle, both the terrorists and the soldiers want you dead” - Ambassador Anthony Quainton, Confidential State Department Cable, December 20, 1990.

There is an American woman, Lori Berenson, who has hit the international headlines for a number of years owing to her supposed involvement in the Peruvian revolution. Her fate now seems to be sealed, as one newspaper commented, “Lori Berenson is a US citizen currently being held as a political prisoner in Cajamarca. After serving nearly five years in harsh Peruvian jails high in the Andes, her conviction of treason against Peru and her life sentence were overturned. In June 2001 she was cleared of charges of being a terrorist, but convicted of collaboration, and sentenced to twenty years in prison by a civilian terrorism court, which, according to the U.S. State Department, ‘fails to meet international standards of openness, fairness, and due process’.” What a dreadful fate for this poor women; it appears she has lost her appeal and will spend 20 years in prison in a country that has a history of human rights abuse.

On November 21, 2000, the Peruvian Congress voted to remove Alberto Fujimori as president, declaring him morally unfit for office. On June 3, 2001, Alejandro Toledo of the “Peru Possible” party was elected president in a second round of elections, which were judged free and fair by a body of domestic and international observers. The Peruvian government and people have now begun a process of reassessing the policies practiced during the past two decades, especially in relation to human rights, so lets hope that things will not be too bad for Lori Berenson.

The poverty in Peru is still very bad and sixty percent of the women in Peru’s jails were sentenced for drug trafficking. Most are very poor have several children and were abandoned by their husbands. Researchers say that the small-scale drug trade is the only means many women have to support their children. So with mum in jail and dad gone, where does it leave the children?

To make matters worse there are the elements to contend with. In June 2001 an earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale on rocked Southern Peru. About 75 people were killed and another 68 missing, as of mid-July 2001. Nearly 200,000 were made homeless. These problems were compounded by the strong aftershocks that knocked down weakened buildings and hampered relief efforts. With these odds, how do they find the willpower to survive?

Right now, Peru’s future is not too clear for the next couple of years... or how long who knows? I think it will be along time before the women of Peru achieve the rights and freedom that the majority of ladies reading this paper enjoy.

The women of Peru do have one great success story: the women’s volleyball team. Up to recent years it had been a consistent winner, including an Olympic silver medal.

Heart to Heart with Hillary

Dear Hillary,

How do you pick the best girls around Pattaya? We see so many beautiful girls and yet hear so many horrific stories that we are just a little worried about getting involved with any of the local lasses. Have you any tips you could give a couple of likely lads from the UK on holidays?

The Lads

Dear Lads,

Just what did you have in mind, Petals? Settling down with your long time girlfriends of several days and raising chickens? Honestly, you men these days are such wimps! What is wrong with just enjoying some girl’s company and behaving as you would in your own town back home? Would you buy some girl you met in a pub in Battersea a motorbike, several ounces of gold and contract to send her children to school and look after her mother forever? That is what all the “horrendous tales” are about, my lads. Keep your wits about you, behave properly and do as you would in your own country. There’s no secret to it all.

Dear Hillary,

Have you an opinion about the use of mobile phones? My friend takes hers everywhere and spends her time chattering away on it as we drive along, when we sit down for a meal or even when we go shopping together. I think it is the height of rudeness, but she tells me that I get upset about nothing. Do people have no etiquette these days?

Bill

Dear Bill (or is that “Bell” - your writing is hard to read),

Do I have an opinion? What effrontery, young man! Of course I have an opinion, otherwise you wouldn’t have written in, would you? Having said that, Hillary would agree that your friend is not exhibiting much in the way of etiquette as you so delightfully put it. I would get annoyed too, if this were happening to me all the time; however, have you stopped to think that maybe there is a reason for this behaviour? Perhaps you are a dreary conversationalist. If the person on the other end of the phone is more fun to talk with than you, perhaps a little bit of self analysis is in order?

Dear Hillary,

My teenage daughter (14 years) is becoming a problem. She has many friends at school, but recently I have noticed that she does not invite them over any longer. I asked her about this and she said she is embarrassed because we only live in a two bedroom condo, while her friends all have nice houses. We are only middle income earners, and have had to scrimp and save to give our daughter the best education we can, and it comes as quite a slap in the face to hear this. We have always tried to make her see that the inner worth of people is what is important, not the expensive trappings on the outside. I have not told her father about this as I think he would be very angry. Have you any suggestions?

Teen Trouble

Dear Teen Trouble,

Children are always a problem, no matter what age they are. Having said that, fourteen year old females are probably the biggest problem of all, but it is not all their fault. At this stage in her life, your daughter is going through all sorts of confusing internal messages that are hormonal. She is bewildered and at this stage needs a little consistency in her life. That is what you must give her. Don’t be too hard on her. The values that you are trying to instil are the correct ones. She will be fine in a few months. There is no need to tell her father. Men do not understand these things.

Dear Hillary,

We are going back to America in six months time for three months and I am a little worried about leaving the house for that period of time. We do live in a reasonably secure development, but just the thought of coming back to a cleaned out house makes me so nervous I do not want to go on this trip. Some of my friends have suggested we get timer switches to turn the lights on and off, but I am a scared about leaving electrical appliances on unattended. Do you know of any way that we can safeguard our investment here?

Worried Wanda

Dear Worried Wanda,

There are plenty of ways around this problem, especially as you have several months yet to prepare for this. First off, have the house checked to see just how safe it really is. There are a few places that do this who advertise in the Pattaya Mail. Make the house secure first. Now look at other options. Do you have some friends in America who might like to come on a holiday over here for three months and “house sit” for you? Just having people living there is a deterrent for most petty thieves. If you can’t interest someone from your home town, then you can always look at interesting someone from here. Finally, is your maid trustworthy? Hillary’s maid stays in my house when I am away and makes sure nobody touches the champagne and chocolates.

Grapevine

Shaman’s Rattle: Coincidence - Part 2

Readers Coincidences

by Marion

Last week was Part 1 on the aspect of “Coincidence” and whether it really is a random event, or is something over which we could exert some influence. This did provoke some reader’s responses.

Reader’s comments

Psychokinesis has absolutely nothing to do with coincidence.

Last week you stated, ‘Coincidence is no random event, quoting “I believe that coincidence can be and is organised by thought, or ‘psychokinesis’.”

I guess you were referring to moving objects with the power of the mind”. Chance or coincidence has zero to do with psychokinesis though! I have actually seen Uri Geller type mind power at work. Once even our local pharmacist demonstrated a little metal mechanical device, which we were readily able to rotate in different directions just by using the mind and no touch at all. (A tiny toy, simply a three bladed propeller of aluminium.) Geller has proved psychokinesis is possible too. However I disagree totally with your position and cannot understand your theory here. Psychokinesis has nothing at all to do with coincidence; no chance involved at all, psychokinesis is just pure mind energy or thought power, surely you are entirely off the mark here?”

Anne C. Australia

Dear Anne,

This was indeed the point I was trying to make that, “Seemingly random coincidence can be and is designed by thought.” Or, the event is not a coincidence at all or a million to one chance, it only appears to be. Rather it is the power of the mind that manifests happenings or moves things. This mind power is caused by the deliberate focussed attention of one or more people at the same time. Or to put it another way, ‘thought processes, the energy of focussed attention or affirmation with belief is the causal connection behind coincidence.’

I will give you a Christian example here. It was written in the Bible, “Whomsoever shall gather together and ask the Father in my name it shall be granted unto them.” The power of prayer works. All you have to do is get two or more believers together to pray and they get exactly what they are asking for. This is what turns so many Born Again Christians on. In case this is a tad cynical for the atheists out there, they can call it Morphic Resonance or Collective Memory (similar discoveries at almost the same time). As a phenomenon I believe this exists and is activated by the energy of sustained focussed attention. In other words, every thought anyone, dead or living, has ever had is floating out there in the collective unconscious and its all up for grabs folks. We have all heard of scientific discoveries being simultaneously released at different sides of the globe with no communication between the scientists.

It is common too for forensic scientists to experience identically profiled homicides in different countries at precisely the same time and well before media release, so they are not copycat killings. This goes to prove the devil is alive and well and putting all those evil thoughts out there in the collective memory up for grabs too. So watch out, be careful what you pick up on.

Look at the current synchronicity of two high-powered clergymen in Boston USA and Melbourne Australia caught up in exactly the same community disgrace at exactly the same time. Be careful of what you pray for you might just get it!

Jung’s theory on synchronicity was not flawed, he just neglected to add that synchronicity is powered by thought and we all can do it!

Some spiritually centred shamans can even activate or access this process just by thinking great powerful thoughts or even Words of Power with intent and concentration.

Serge Kahilli King (“The Urban Shaman”) points out, “In Hawaiian Kahuna philosophy the consequences of sustained focussed attention is that energy goes where attention flows. So if you are unhappy with your present circumstances you can change your life dramatically by changing your thoughts with constant focussed attention.” In other words doggy doo happens because you are always fixated on doggy doo or anally retentive Freudian thoughts.

Reader’s question: Predictive ability is a natural state?

Last week you wrote a somewhat high faluting hypothesis on “How is it that some are able to predict accurately, whereas others are unable to predict the sunrise in the morning! Perhaps are some of us in touch with our psychic energy and able to use it to predict with accuracy? Do the others have their head in the sand?”

The answer to this couldn’t be more obvious. Some people have it and some people don’t. We were all born with it until it was hammered out of us. Whoever looks at the sky or listens to the wind or watches the birds any more? No, we are all too busy watching television and paying taxes and running for governor! You don’t have to be a dog to know when your master is coming home, you don’t have to be a cat to know who is on the other end of the ringing telephone before you pick it up. We all could and some of us still can do this! What you appear to be doing is attempting to give this natural gift high faluting labels and confuse people with your pseudo intellectual hogwash. Me? I can locate people. I can find objects and people who are missing just by seeing them in my mind. This ability is nothing to rave about or label as lunatic. I believe it us just a sixth sense that some of us have and some of us don’t. Why don’t you attempt instead to keep it simple and natural as it is!

D. Curran Superior. W.I. USA

Dear D.

Point taken. Mea Culpa.

Next week two readers’ stories on real and very frightening psychic connections. All reader’s comments and short stories are welcomed on this topic. Please email yours to [email protected]

Antique, are they genuine? Modern factory and museum reproductions

by Apichart Panyadee

Present day reproductions capitalize both on the wave of nostalgia for bygone ages and the vanity of buyers who, in purchasing these glasses, identify with elegance, good design, and the value of prized possessions. They have discriminating taste and an appreciation of craftsmanship.

Thomas Webb and Sons used this approach in the leaflet advertising their reproduction Bristol Blue series. It was echoed more recently by an Israeli firm who issued this statement about their miniature vases: “The hand-blown vases of Ha’oman (which means artisan) are made by the same methods used in biblical times, each piece being blown and painted individually with colors mixed to give the textured effect of an archaeological find, making each a collector’s piece.”

A millefiori bottle with daisy pattern from the Hill-Ouston catalogue

If the collector can acquire these publicity sheets put out by glassmaking firms, he will have the best record of what is available in the future. Regular visits to glass and china shops will keep one up to date with new developments.

In the 1930s the London firm of John Jenkins introduced a range of pressed glass known as “Barolac”. The firm reintroduced the series in the mid-1980s in a series of patterns; Palm Trees, Cherries, Aquarium, Sea Horse, Pansy, Poppies and Trees. Vases and bowls are not marked but are close to the frosted milky appearance of the originals.

The German firm of J. Oertel also began manufacturing and marketing a number of 18th and 19th century designs around the same period. They have a selection of good quality transparent beakers in Biedermeirer shapes.

Antique Moser glassware of this kind is was still being produced in the late 20th century. This dark blue bowl has an etched and gilded border of female figures.

Moser of Czechoslovakia based some of their latest lines on 19th century designs. In America, the firm of Fentons used many processes which echoed the late 19th century. A selection was introduced in England in 1986 and was only a matter of time before it arrived in the antique trade.

The one area of reproduction which can create difficulties in accurate dating is the continuous production of a design over many years. In Finland the Iittala glassworks have made the famous Alva Aalto vases since they were first designed by the architect in 1936. Lalique glass has also maintained its high reputation for sophisticated design since the 1920s. However, many of those shapes are still continued and dating them means relying on 1930s publicity and pattern books, details of signatures and reference to the most recent catalogues.

Glass paperweights

Collectors and dealers have different views on how to spot fake paperweights. The quick rules of thumb regarding correct identification are usually best taken with a grain of salt. The best advice is probably that given by Paul Hollister in his excellent book on weights published by the New York Historical Society. He notes main points which cover buying from dealers. The points to consider are rarity, uniqueness, use of the ultraviolet lamp, identification by profiles and profile condition, and forming a balanced collection.

An original green Bohemian jog painted in the Mary Gregory style, c. 1890.

There really is no substitute for hard work in learning the characteristics of cane formations and profiles from each factory. The profile of the weight helps to suggest provenance but should also be examined for possible alterations. Scratches and chips accumulated over the years can be ground and polished leaving noticeable irregularities, unlike the original fir-polished finish. Deeper bruises can be removed by cutting facets into the surface. Original faceting is sharp and will always have at least a few scratches and marks.

The shortage of documentation about paperweight manufacturing has resulted in many incorrect attributions when a name is needed to help sell the weight. In recent years the Stourbridge attribution has become a favorite, but there is no known mention of weights being made in the Stourbridge district in any of the available 19th century literature about the area.

The Islington Glass Works and Bascchus in Birmingham made weights from the mid-19th century, and it is assumed that some rival attempts appeared from Stourbridge, but there is no evidence to support this supposition.

The Richardson pattern books illustrated a scent/ink bottle, a salt, and two weights in millefiori. In the Hill-Ouston catalogue a perfume/ink bottle and a weight dated 1848 may be from the Walsh Walsh factory, which worked until 1951 and continued to produce weights during this period. Otherwise, there is little documentation on this subject.

Animal Crackers: Snakes to die for - a reader's story by Monica Cruckshank

by Mirin MacCarthy

Readers’ contributions are welcome. This week I present a humorous view of a scenario we all want to avoid - snake bite.

The possibility of snakebite is a very unpleasant thought. It could kill you! And naturally we all hope that if ever we are bitten by a snake, there will be someone close by to treat us. But how many of us are aware of the dangers attached to treating snakebite? I sought guidance from an expert and now go in terror, not that I will be bitten myself, but that I will actually have to treat someone who has.

Here’s the up-to-date way to go:

Step 1. Convince the victim to lay flat and stay calm
Step 2. Place the beginning of a bandage over the bite
Step 3. Wrap the bandage from the bitten area towards the extremity
Step 4. Continue bandaging from the extremity back to the bitten area, over the bitten area and right up the limb to the armpit or the groin depending on what’s been bitten.
Step 5. Keep the limb as immovable as possible.

It all sounds relatively simple but I have a few problems with it. The assumption is we all walk around with yards of bandages in our back pockets. Well I don’t, do you? Do I even have a bandage in the house? And how on earth would you convince the victim to lie still? Without a doubt he would grab you by your ears and shake you madly as he thrashed around on the ground like a fairy in a fit!

Let’s assume he has been bitten on the leg. Firstly you have to remove his trousers to get at the bite. And then you have to wrap the leg up to the groin! Lets hope they are not Daddy longlegs. The mind boggles, so I asked my instructor just how far up the groin you are expected to go. He did his best to explain. Something to do with whether the victim ‘dresses to the left or the right’. If I managed to get that far I am sure I would be sorely tempted to wrap a few extra appendages as well. Would I even be able to remember what I was actually trying to do?

And the thought of treating another woman did bring a few worrying images to mind. I dearly love all my girlfriends, but somehow wrapping a bandage around their legs up to their knickers simply holds no appeal. Female victims therefore are limited to being bitten on either the nose or the finger. I could handle bandaging a nose down to the neck? But where is the extremity in relation to a finger?

I quickly came to the conclusion that the very best thing any woman could possibly do if she finds some unfortunate victim just bitten by a snake is to scream. You can betcha life that some hero will come running, a bandage handy in his back pocket, and proceed to really enjoy himself. Men do have their uses!

You can contact me through the Pattaya Mail. Write to [email protected]

The Computer Doctor

by Richard Bunch

From Kim Johansen, Pattaya: I am considering upgrading my present operating system, Windows 98 to Windows XP (Home Edition, version 2002). I have a WinBook XL laptop with 133 MHz Intel chip and 64 Mb of memory (I will probably add an additional 128 Mb of memory if I perform the upgrade). I use it mostly for word processing, Internet/email and Power Point presentations.

I have shopped at a few of the larger computer stores in Pattaya, but they only have the Thai version of XP. They say the main difference between the U.S. release and the Thai release is that you can easily switch between the two languages for all the drop down menus for the Thai version, with the only negative being the HELP menu is only in Thai. Since I do not read Thai, the benefits of the two languages is nil, and although I rarely use the HELP menu, it is useful when needed.

Are there legal U.S. versions of Windows XP available in Thailand and if so, do you know the approximate price range? The Pattaya stores are selling the Thai version release which they say has a legitimate license that can be registered with MS for around 4,500 baht (of course you can find copies almost anywhere for 200 baht).

Second, I am told that before installing Windows XP, it is best to perform a complete hard disk format and do a clean install of XP and then all your other software.

Finally, if I install XP on my laptop, will it enable Microsoft to look at my system when I am on the Internet? I am concerned about this especially since my ISP is Microsoft Network when I am in the U.S.

I enjoy your column and thanks in advance for your advice.

Computer Doctor replies: To take your questions in the order presented, although I am a great exponent of Windows XP Professional, I think the Home Edition misses the mark and the Professional edition would be the way to go. Whichever way you proceed, you will need to increase your computer’s memory, 128Mb should do the trick but be mindful that your notebook will accept an additional 128Mb, it maybe that you have to throw away the existing 64Mb and replace it, in which case you should look to get 256Mb once again assuming your PC will accept this amount of memory.

Licensed software is available in Thailand as is the English versions. We can supply you, if you wish to purchase; the retail price of the boxed CD versions, excluding VAT is XP Home Edition 11,310 baht and XP Professional 16,820 baht. I suspect the price you were quoted was for an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) version which are for bundling with new PC’s. For your information, the Thai versions are marginally cheaper.

Although it is possible to upgrade from Windows 98SE, I always think it is best to do a clean install, this ensures that no problems get carried forward and no deadweight caused from uninstallation of some programs. In addition some programs may need to be reinstalled after an upgrade anyway, one such program is Outlook. Remember also that many disk and other utility programs are incompatible, this is not necessarily a problem as they are largely redundant.

I am not aware that it allows snooping, but as previously stated a good firewall of the ilk of ZoneAlarm really is a worthwhile investment as is anti virus software.

I’m glad you enjoy the column and hope that my reply has helped you.

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]

The views and comments expressed within this column are not necessarily those of the writer or Pattaya Mail Publishing.

Richard Bunch is managing director of Action Computer Technologies Co., Ltd. For further information, please Telephone 0 1782 4829, fax 0 3871 6816, e-mail: sales@ act.co.th or see the firm’s website www.act.co.th

Social Commentary by Khai Khem

What’s wrong with this picture?

I hope readers of the Pattaya Mail didn’t miss the news in the January 25th issue informing the public of Pattaya’s new traffic violation point system. Frankly, I doubt that many did miss the article, since some of us living here could hear the roaring laughter from around the globe. Anyone who has either lived here or even visited for a short time knows that Thai drivers are mad capped, whimsical and maniacal. Mayhem and death hold no threat for them. Some of them actually live longer lives than we would expect. So what’s the answer?

Most of us who reside here would love to see traffic rules obeyed. Any system which will help alleviate the city’s frenetic driving chaos and force drivers to move through the region safely and efficiently would be welcomed. If it is actually enforced, that would be a real bonanza. Therefore, on January 16th of this year, the Kingdom implemented a traffic violation point system.

For those who missed the details of the plan, I will briefly highlight them here. There are 16 primary clauses in the system, and the authorities will allow some time for drivers to acquire the information they need to know. As with everything in Thailand, that time frame could be endless. But I digress.

The primary clauses in the nation’s new system are divided into four categories. Each invokes traffic violations points ranging from 10-40 recorded against an individual’s record. The operative word here is of course “recorded”. A few hundred or a few thousand baht to an accommodating cop naturally prevents the violation from being recorded.

Category 1 violations compile 40 points for:

1.1 Failure to stop behind the line at a red light signal or a stop sign (running red light signal or stop sign).

1.2 Driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substance.

1.3 Causing an accident injuring an individual or damaging personal property, not stopping to provide suitable assistance, not reporting the accident to police and fleeing the scene of the accident.

1.4 Vehicles racing on the road.

Category 2 violations compile 30 points for:

2.1 Driving indecisively resulting in a traffic violation.

2.2 Driving dangerously.

2.3 Driving a vehicle in an abnormal manner or contrary to usual driving habits.

2.4 Driving a vehicle without concern for the safety of others or endangering the lives of others.

2.5 Driving over the lawful speed limit.

Category 3 violations compile 20 points for:

3.1 Recklessly passing on the shoulder of a road which is not considered a traffic-flow lane.

3.2 Passing another vehicle where signs prohibit passing, to include recklessly passing in a congested area, passing whilst going up a hill, approaching a bridge or curve in the road and within 30-metres of an intersection, roundabout or similar junction. Also included is passing another vehicle when visibility is impaired by heavy rain, fog, blowing sand or smoke, etc., limiting forward vision to less than 60-meters.

3.3 Parking on the side of the road or on the edge of the road traveled by other vehicles without using emergency flasher or turning on signal lights during hours of limited visibility.

3.4 Taxi drivers refusing to accept passengers.

3.5 Taxi drivers depositing passengers on the road after refusing to complete the fare going to the destination agreed upon.

Category 4 violations compile 10 points for:

4.1 Driving a vehicle in a manner obstructing traffic.

Drivers will be required to attend mandatory driver’s training for repeating any one violation a second time within a one-year period. Any driver accumulating over 60 points is restricted from driving for a period of 90 days.

I happened to be at a party when someone reading this issue of our publication started to howl with laughter. After everyone had a chance to read the piece, the room began to jump with jokes and witticisms about the plan. Obviously the specific violations are not all inclusive, and my fellow party-goers wanted to add of the peculiarly “Thai” things they see happen on the highways and byways of our fair land everyday. For instance, if I am correct, there is still no law which dictates how many people can be on a motorcycle. We all see whole families with their babies and dogs weaving through traffic on small mopeds. Thais still care that the nation legally drives on the left, from which all traffic flows and navigation is based.

I appeal to readers to write in and share some of their ideas which should be included on the traffic violation list.

Roll over Rover: Detach yourself a little

by C. Schloemer

Some people take their dog’s behavior too personally. When a dog behaves poorly in a social situation, the owner can become downright giddy listing every excuse for the dog’s reaction. This only worsens the problem because verbal rambling and body postures communicate chaos and confusion to the dog. When your dog acts up, you must calm down. Detach yourself from the situation. Keep your cool and take a deep breath. Your pet needs a level headed leader, and it will be up to you to become one.

Tone

The real secret of training a dog in voice commands is tone and not the actual words. Tone is actually 75 percent of dog training. The lower you can make your voice naturally, the more respect you will get from your dog. Dogs sense four tones: happy tones, directional tones, corrective tones, and high pitched squeals. Use happy tones to praise for good behavior. Some dogs need more enthusiasm than others do. Test your dog to see what level works.

The directional tone is your commanding voice. Make sure you are not offering an option. Do not tell a dog to “sit” and make it sound like a question. Dogs distinguish the tone of voice used in both the command and the question. Listen to yourself when you talk to your dog. Sit? Sit! Dogs can tell the difference. Another tip is that when families have children, of any age, whether 2 years or 12 years, the kids can help teach the dog. Make a habit of over-enhancing your commands and your children will follow your lead while the dog learns to respond better to the whole family.

Let us take a look at corrective tones. If the owner is a shouter, guess what? Shouting makes matters worse. Sure, some dogs cringe and crawl away on their belly, but that is not a sign of understanding, it is a sign of terror. No owner who loves their pet would want to terrorize their helpless doggy! So what is the alternative? How can you communicate disapproval? First use the Peacock Posture rule. You must stand straight and tall. Next, you should act really ashamed of your dog. Acting indignant will get your further than going berserk. Try to anticipate your dog’s intention. For example, if your dog is caught red-handed with a negative thought process like sniffing around the waste paper basket or approaching a pair of shoes left at the doorway, say “no” in a very cross tone as you stamp your foot. Interrupting the thought process often eliminates the action.

A high pitched squeal is the only sound which can work against you. It communicates fear, confusion or submission. Children often squeal, as do many women. If the owner can stop from squealing, and can stop the children from doing likewise, this one thing can work wonders. Otherwise the owner will just have to over-emphasize on every other training suggestion to make up for the loss.

A Slice of Thai History: Pone Kingpetch: Thailand’s first world boxing champion

Part Two 1960-1982

by Duncan Stearn

A rematch with Perez was arranged and took place in September in Los Angeles. For the first time, Pone Kingpetch fought outside his native Thailand and for only the sixth time in 23 professional bouts he scored a knock out victory, stopping Perez in round eight. The new world champion, in his first defence, earned a paltry US$2,900.

In 1961, Kingpetch fought only twice, winning a 10-rounder in Bangkok before retaining his world title over 15 rounds against Mitsunori Seki in Tokyo in June.

After winning by knockout in Bangkok at his first bout for 1962, he again successfully defended his title by outpointing Kyo Noguchi in Tokyo. However, on October 10, he lost his title to Japanese teenage sensation ‘Fighting’ Harada. The Japanese boxer started fast and never gave Pone a chance to employ his jab, finally overwhelming the champion and knocking him out in round 11.

However, on January 12, 1963, Pone Kingpetch became the first man ever to regain the flyweight title with a 15-round unanimous decision over Harada in Bangkok. Among the 15,000 cheering him on was the King of Thailand.

Once again the Japanese fighter began fast, but Pone kept his distance and, aided by the heat and humidity of Bangkok, he finished far too strongly for Harada.

The success was short-lived as he suffered his most ignominious defeat in September in Tokyo when Hiroyuki Ebihara knocked him cold after just two minutes of the first round. Prior to the bout there were rumours that Kingpetch was having trouble making the weight for the fight and that his training sessions lacked any sparkle.

Pone learned from his mistakes and in a rematch, which took place in January 1964 in Bangkok, the 27-year-old outpointed Ebihara over 15 rounds, regaining the flyweight title for an unprecedented third time.

He did not enter the ring again for 15 months, but when he did, in April 1965 against Salvator Burruni in Rome, he was beaten on points in a fairly pedestrian affair and once more surrendered his world title, this time for good.

He returned to the ring in 1966 for two knockout victories, both inside four rounds, against poor quality Thai opponents, but it was clear his days as a top-line fighter were behind him.

Pone Kingpetch announced his retirement from boxing on May 30 that year. He was just 30 years old and his record stood at 28 wins (nine by KO) and six defeats in 34 bouts. He retired as the first boxer from Thailand to have ever annexed a world championship.

Kingpetch was noted for his smooth jab and his ability to manoeuvre out of trouble. His weakness, allegedly, was his chin. A broken jaw brought about by a motor vehicle accident supposedly left him vulnerable to anybody able to connect solidly with his chin.

Never a heavy puncher (just nine of his 28 wins coming inside the distance), Pone Kingpetch was an incredibly good learner and was undefeated in three rematches with opponents who had earlier exacted victory over him.

Sadly, Pone Kingpetch died of pneumonia in Bangkok on May 31, 1982, aged 46. A statue was later erected in his honour in Hua Hin, his birthplace.

The Message In The Moon: Sun in Cancer/Moon in Pisces

The Great Pretender

by Anchalee Kaewmanee

Of all the Cancer combinations, this one is the most sensitive, compassionate and understanding. Natives born into this sign are instinctively repelled by unnecessary suffering, cruelty or injustice. Genuinely concerned and always willing to give of themselves, they have a strong desire to reach out and help others. The highly evolved Cancer-Pisces often has overwhelming spiritual and altruistic urges.

These individuals may be saints in essence, but like all highly sensitive, giving and impressionable people, they feel the need to protect themselves. They tend to guard their emotions to avoid being hurt. All Cancer Sun Moon combos have their special defense mechanisms. Some hide behind secrecy, some behind arrogance, and others like the Cancer-Aries will use offence and aggression as a defense. The Cancer Pisces’ special defense is role-playing.

A male Cancer-Pisces, fearing that his sensitivity is a form of weakness, may try to assume an aggressive persona, hoping to conceal his feelings with an overt display of toughness or machismo. A female Cancer- Pisces may adopt an excessively feminine role, in hopes of being swept off her feet and eternally protected by a knight in shining armor. Both sexes are in danger of assuming roles that are completely at odds with their true natures. This is mainly because of their innate fear of revealing their true selves. Role-playing is a form of self deception and escape. Therefore it would be wise for these natives to strive to be true to themselves. Sometimes role playing is a necessary part of life and getting along in the world. But denying a part of ones’ self will only end in missing out a lot of what life has to offer and bar the door to happiness.

Since this combination indicates health, stability and luck, it is actually unnecessary that natives of this sign build such a hard outer shell. They will feel far more fulfilled and contented when they accept who they are and just be themselves. Once they have dismantled that protective wall, they will quickly learn to rely on their own strengths when dealing with less sensitive people. This Sun-Moon sign is not as delicate as it appears and as maturity is achieved, these natives have much to offer in the world at large.

All people born into this Sun-Moon combination have colorful and special personalities. If they learn to make constructive use of their ability to fantasize this can be an excellent way of dealing with tension and anxiety. If they don’t lose their grip on the real world, they can excel as artists or in other creative fields such as music and writing. In addition, natives of this sign are ideally suited to teaching, counseling, medicine, law and other service-oriented areas. Endowed with a remarkable memory, they learn and comprehend with amazing speed.

Teaching may be an especially fine career for these natives. This field creates a place where many of the Cancer-Pisces traits like compassion and service to others can truly be of great value. That fine intelligence can also be put to fine use in the field of medicine. They will find fulfillment in hands-on healing. That keen mind will also excel in research. These natives make fine counselors and psychiatrists because they relate to human suffering. Highly sensitive people can truly empathize with the mentally or emotionally ill. Law is an attractive career for these individuals for the same reasons; they are emotionally geared to help people in trouble and are appalled at injustice.

Since these natives are extremely thin-skinned, they must exercise a tad more caution in choosing a lover. Since emotional compatibility is far more important to a Cancer-Pisces than physical attraction, he or she must seek a partner who is, above all, trustworthy. Natives of this sign are devoted and loyal lovers, but they can be too easily hurt. If they are betrayed by a loved one, they may become seriously depressed and will temporarily withdraw from all social life. They truly must steer clear of people who are closed and unresponsive. Instead they must choose a mate who will be sensitive to their needs and respect their sensibilities.

Coins of the Realm: Singapore Coin Auction (Part II)

by Jan Olav Aamlid
President - House of the Golden Coin (http://www.thaicoins.com)

Last week I wrote about the gold bullet coins to be sold in the Singapore Coin Auction on the 14th of March. Well known and respected Bangkok coin-dealer Surachai Smitasin has pointed out for me that the two baht bullet coins sold in the early 1990’s were struck during the time of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) who reigned from 1868 till 1910.

The gold bullet coins to be sold in the Singapore auction were struck during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV), 1851-1868, and those are considered more rare than the ones stuck later. Collectors and dealers are speculating if there will be a set a new price record for a Thai coin on the 14th of March.

King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) presented the Raja Ruchu medal to those close to His Majesty.

Apart from the gold bullet coins there are also several interesting Thai coins, medals and banknotes. A two baht, crown sized silver coin, struck during the reign of King Mongkut is in nice condition estimated at between 13,200 - 17,600 baht. This seems reasonable, but the coin does have some edge knocks, and this might explain the low estimate.

Porcelain gambling tokens, known as “bpee”, were used in Thailand until 1893. They were not only used for gambling, but as small change in local stores and markets. Only a few years ago these tokens could be bought for 25 baht or even less, but the demand has increased and so have the prices. The estimate for two pieces of a gambling token showing Queen Victory on the obverse is 3,500 to 5,200 baht. These types of porcelain tokens are not rare, and I belive can be bought for much less than the low estimate in the market.

Two Raja Ruchi medals are offered. This is a medal that was presented by King Chulalongkorn to those close to the King. The medal is considered rare, but lately quite a number has appeared in the market. One medal is being sold with the original case, at an estimated price of 132,000 to 154,000 baht. The other medal offered is in nicer condition, but does not come with the case. The estimation for this medal is 88,000 to 105,000 baht.

The first banknotes issued with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s portrait, estimated at 35,200 to 44,000 baht.

The Thai medal with the lowest estimate is a Red Cross award medal; 1,320 to 2,200 baht. The medal does have the name of the original receiver engraved, so it is not recommended that the buyer wear the medal. To receive such an award takes a lot of hard and dedicated work and it is sort of sad to see medals like this offered for sale in the open market.

King Chulalongkorn granted some foreign banks permission to issue banknotes in Thailand. Two notes issued by The Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China in 1898 are to be auctioned off. The first is estimated at 44,000 to 52,800 baht and the second is in better quality, and estimated at 74,800 to 88,000 baht.

The Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation also had permission, and issued notes in 1889. The estimation of the note to be sold is 101,200 to 123,200 baht.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), the present King, ascended the throne on June 9, 1946. A complete set, 1-, 5-, 10-, 20-, and 100 baht, of the first banknotes issued with His Majesty’s portrait is to be sold. The banknotes are close to uncirculated condition and estimated at 35,200 to 44,000 baht.

This might seem to be a lot of money for 136 baht and the prices in the recent issued Standard Catalogue for Thai Banknotes are much less. The notes are in good condition and they are more than 50 years old. The market for banknotes, both Thai and foreign, is getting better, so the notes might find a buyer even if the estimate is high.