Pattaya Mail — Features

Amazing Taste of Thailand

Thai food has made its mark in restaurants and households all over the world. Amazing Thailand offers visitors a wider opportunity to explore culinary delights they only receive a hint of at home.

The traditional ingredients of Thai food have changed little up to the present day, consisting largely of seafood and locally grown vegetables and fruits, a diet common to most of the country. What gives the distinctive Thai flavor, and the differing taste from region to region, are the carefully blended sauces and chilies. These go into dishes ranging from salty and bland soups to the spiciest salads and sweetest desserts, often all present within a single meal. The wide variety of Thai food tastes are owed to the combination of influences from various surrounding nations which, with Thai ingenuity, have culminated in one of the world’s favorite cuisines.

The Northeast

The Northeast is famous for its spicy dishes, but it really covers all taste extremes, being also strongly sour and salty. The most famous dish, a regional staple that can also be found all over the country, is som tam, a Thai salad that simultaneously covers the four extremes of taste, which is eaten with a form of sticky rice.

The North

For those whose taste buds shy away from the grand taste of the Northeast, the generally milder taste of Northern dishes may be more palatable. The Burmese influence is present in many dishes here in several mild curries.

The Central Plains

The cuisine of the Central Plains has over the years come to include influences of all the surrounding regions, and a meal usually includes everything from hot, spicy dishes to relatively bland ones. Here the sticky rice of the North is less common than plain rice. Many of the spicy soups, like tom yam and popular coconut milk curries, have their roots in this region.

The South

The proximity of India, and the religious Muslim influence have both shaped the taste of Southern Thai cuisine, with the focus always on seafood and vegetables, both in abundance in the region.

Age-Old Dietary way to Good Health

Long before the advent of modern medicine, or the recent interest in natural, drug-free healing and illness prevention, ancient Thai ‘doctors’ discovered the basics of regular meals that double as medicine. The practice was simple, but effective.

For ailments derived from the hot climate, cooling foods, anything sweet or bitter like fruits and roots, would allow a balance of cool and hot body energy. To compliment, cool weather symptoms were balanced by spicy and sour foods. This holistic system, which merges diet, daily life, and medicine, is only now being looked at by Western medicine for the benefits it has provided Thais for centuries.

Thai Cooking Schools

For visitors interested in making true Thai food, there is no better way to learn than from native cooks. No matter where the visitor may travel to in the Kingdom, there are cooking classes available, as there are nearly as many Thai cooking experts as there are households.

The unique Thai Culture in the North

The northern region of Thailand, a hilly heavily forested area, is the coolest area of Thailand. The environment of the north has yet to suffer the ravages that man has inflicted on the central, Isan and southern regions. This is partly due to its inaccessibility.

The north consists of 17 provinces with a total area of 169,000 sq. Kilometres. It is bordered by Laos on the north and east and Burma on the west.

The people of the north have the characteristic calm of most mountain dwelling peoples. Due to their usually fair complexions, central and southern Thais consider them the most attractive people in Thailand.

The northern dialect is the same as the dialects of northern Laos which borders it. This dialect, with its slow drawling softness, is considered attractive by central Thais, although they would balk at someone calling it a dialect of Lao. Central Thais prefer to consider it a dialect of Thai, to which it has little resemblance. The northern and central dialects are as different as Spanish and Portuguese.

There have been people living in the northern part of Thailand for thousands of years. This culture was referred to as Lanna, which comes from Laan Naa or ‘a million rice fields’ in the Tai dialects of Yunnan in southern China.

The first Thai Kingdom was the Sukhothai Kingdom, which was formed not long after the migrations of Tai people from Yunnan. The people who became the Thai people are thought to have left to escape domination by the armies of Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai Khan.

Sukhothai means the ‘dawn of Thai happiness’. This city-state, which was once the centre of the Thai Kingdoms, is now a small, quiet and pretty town. Remnants of the first Thai kingdom may be found throughout the province and the province was designated a ‘important archaeological site’ by UNESCO.

Sukhothai was founded 700 years ago and has an area of 6,596 sq. Kilometres. One of the many fascinating ancient places is the Shrine of the Goddess Mae Ya in the city centre. The Shrine contains a carved statue of the Goddess Mae Ya. It is believed that the image was carved during the era of King Ramkamhaeng the Great. The image is recognised as a masterpiece by art historians, as is much of the other sculpture executed during the Sukhothai era.

‘Loy Krathong’ was first celebrated in Sukhothai.

The province of Phrae is another historically important province in the north. It is the city of the Cho-Hae holy relic and the ‘City of Heaven’ described in the Phra Law literary epic.

Mines in Phrae also produce a small amount of famous but very beautiful blue sapphires.

Phrae is home to a museum of northern handicrafts, located approximately 3 kilometres from the city. The museum features household tools and utensils used in Thai kitchens during the Sukhothai era.

Tak province has the second largest land area of the northern provinces. As most of the province is hills, Tak is still quite unspoilt, although developers are doing their best to do their worst to the province.

This hilly, cool and heavily wooded province is very popular with tourists who call it ‘Thailand’s Switzerland.’

Chiang Rai (Siang Hai in the northern dialect, which sounds strangely like Shang-Hai) is in the extreme north of Thailand. There are many remnants of former cultures in this large province. The infamous ‘Golden Triangle’ is in Chiang Rai.

Chiang Mai with its unusual ‘tropical-semi-tropical’ climate is the home to some of Thailand’s most beautiful and exotic flowering trees and shrubs.

Northern Thailand is Shangri-La in the minds of many Thais. It is also an area in which one may experience a culture which is unique, a combination of Thai and more ancient cultures.

The provinces of the north have good bus services and are highly recommended for visitors to Thailand.

Visiting the lesser known provinces of the north is a good alternative to the typical ‘Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Phuket, home’ itinerary.

The Palladium offers 'all round' entertainment

The Palladium has joined with Thai-Chinese International Trade Promotion, Ltd. The result of this coupling is the new to Pattaya 360 degree movie, ‘Amazing World’. The Palladium has spent over 30 million baht to bring a bit of freshness into the lives of their customers. This is the only theatre of its kind in South East Asia.

All the manufacturing of equipment, filming of movies, and final projection is done in China. This shows that China is not as behind the times as many complacent people think.

The 360 degree theatre gives the viewer the feeling they are ‘in the movie’. The process requires 9 cameras to shoot the film and 9 projectors to show it. The whole process is controlled by a technologically staggering computer system.

The current film’s subject is ‘Travelling through the Land of the Dragon’, a film on China and her stupendous geological, cultural and ecological diversity. The viewer goes on a tour of Tài-Shan (Great Mountain), one of China’s loftiest peaks, È-Hé-Ýuan, the infamous Summer Palace residence of Dowager Empress Tsù-Tsí-Tài-Hão, the Great Wall and many other places.

There are also many Chinese products for sale at the theatre. Those interested in attending may receive special group discounts by calling and reserving seats at Tel. (038) 424-933 and 424-944 every day.

The Palladium entertainment centre’s also features their main attraction: a discotheque capable of holding over 6,000 night crawlers. The sound, lighting and service systems are the most complete in Thailand.

Not only can you dance up a storm, the Palladium also has a Chinese restaurant with toothsomely tantalising delicacies, a traditional Thai Massage Service, with 190 masseuses and masseurs with 200 beds, 10 snooker tables, and a Karaoke with over 6,000 tunes you can warble.

Who could ask for anything more?

Under a special star: Rosa Tschuli

by Elfi

Some have a star and some don’t. Rosa Tschuli has one, a very special one, actually the only one which exists in Zurich where she comes from: A Michelin Star.

Rosa Tschuli, born in Schönenwerd, Solothurn in Switzerland, is a Chef and has been in the hospitality service industry for 59 years. When she was young she had the choice of either becoming a coiffeur or a gastronome. Thinking carefully about what’s more necessary (and better tasting) in life, she decided to become a cook. And a very successful one she is indeed.

Working first for large hotels in Switzerland (for about 14 years), Rosa opened her first restaurant called "Krone" in Gottlieben, Switzerland in 1952. After 13 years she moved on to Zurich where she owned, until recently, the "Giangrossi" Restaurant, renowned amongst gourmets. Rosa received 17 Gaull-Milland points for this restaurant, and the famous Michelin Star. Only last year she was awarded the Grand Prize of Zurich for her food.

Besides running the show in her own restaurants, Rosa has cooked at World Exhibitions in Brisbane and Vancouver. She has made food promotions in Canada, Australia, Argentina, Hong Kong and all over Europe, including London, Paris, and Prague. There is almost no capitol she hasn’t cooked in and almost no famous person she hasn’t cook for.

For example, Rosa cooked for Prince Charles of Wales during a charity congress in Prague. "600 blue-blooded Royals at one time made me a bit nervous, but then I knew how good my food was and all went fine," Rosa remembers. She also prepared a menu in London for Prince Philip on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Of course, many other chefs from around the world accompanied her.

Her partner on those occasions was always Heinz Witschi, an 18 point chef from Zurich, and both are sponsored by the world’s most famous chef, Anton Mosimann, who’s salary is app. 20,000 Swiss Franks (about 660,000 baht) for a day’s work.

Rosa Tschuli is currently in Pattaya for the fourth time. Chef Fredi of Bruno’s Restaurant is an old friend of hers. "I was working with him at the Hotel Casa Berno, almost 17 years ago when Fredi was a young cook. Later on I lost track of him, but the first time I came to Thailand I met Fredi by accident at the Royal Wing (in the Royal Cliff Beach Resort) where I was staying. At that time he was the Executive Chef there. Since that time, we have kept our relationship going."

Rosa has also known Alois X. Faßbind and Bruno Forrer for about ten years. They became very good friends - all coming from the same country and working in the same profession.

Rosa Tschuli is full of praise for Bruno’s Restaurant, "This place would get at least 17 to 18 points in Switzerland, plus a Michelin Star, I can assure you. I know what I am talking about. The kitchen, the service, everything is so perfect here, for me it is the best restaurant in Pattaya and I am not saying so because we are friends."

During her current visit, Rosa Tschuli proved what genuine friendship is. She gave Fredi a special secret recipe for "Egli Fillet in beer-dough".

Rosa Tschuli has always enjoyed teaching. She was once the trainer for Swiss Air cooks, and for more than two years she also created the menu for first class passengers of Swiss Air.

Being such a busy and energetic woman, we asked her why she retired. "Retired?" was her reply. "I’ll never retire. I might not have a restaurant anymore, but I am doing a lot of promotions, show cooking and lecturing. From Pattaya I will go to Moscow and I am very much looking forward to it. No, I couldn’t be without work. Life would be much too boring. You see, I have had my share of life. I have had my highs and my lows, but in the end it was a fulfilling and happy life. One should always make the best out of everything. I have always kept to my motto: ‘Good food and drinks keep soul and body together’. A good glass of wine, delicious food, a cup of coffee and a cigarette make life so much nicer."

The magic of a Green Bottle

The Green Bottle Pub and Restaurant was established almost ten years ago, on March 4th, 1988. The name "Green" was chosen to show the care the owners of Diana Group had for the environment, and "Bottle" simply stands for drinks.

The Pub has an environmental décor, with a wooden ceiling, wood panel walls, a huge wooden bar in the centre, and plenty of unique and antique ornaments to give it a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. (Not to forget the many green bottles displayed in one of the windows.) A big pool table around the corner of the bar invites patrons to play a "game", and a dart board still hangs from a wall, but is no longer in use.

From 7:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. daily a solo pianist, "Thana", Pattaya’s Clayderman, entertains with soft music. At 9:00 p.m. "The Glass Band" begins to play Country, Western and popular Soft Rock music. Two female singers, "Noi" and "Wise", complete the trio with their beautiful voices. Sunday is their day off, but never-the-less another Duo entertains with special a guest star, well-known singer Kwanta.

Khun Winai Kawichai, the General Manager of Diana Group, welcomed my friend and I as soon as we entered the Pub. All kinds of drinks are available from soft drinks, bottle and draft beer, to any cocktail or long-drink, and of course wine (550 - 2,000 baht per bottle) and champagne (500 - 900 baht per bottle) from France, California, Austria and Australia.

Seeing all this on offer, I ordered a glass of red wine (85 baht) and my friend a draft beer, as we started to look through the menu. All soups are available for 35 baht, Sandwiches for 35 up to 75 baht, Appetisers range between 65 and 80 baht, and Salads from 55 to 120 baht (the most expensive being a crabmeat salad).

Many famous Thai Dishes are also offered for between 45 and 195 baht, as well as Duck and Chicken dishes for between 65 and 195 baht. But don’t worry, that’s not all. The Green Bottles offers 27(!) different Seafood dishes ranging between 55 and 395 baht (for a Mixed Seafood Basket).

The Main Courses are also something special: 8 different steaks can be ordered besides a lot of other international food. The prices for main courses are between 80 baht (Grilled, Smoked Pork or Spare Ribs), and a huge T-bone Steak for 350 baht. The desserts (25 - 65 baht) also include tropical fruits of the season and six different Fruit Flambé, each for 95 baht.

For starters, my friend and I chose "Goong Hang Kua", fried dry shrimp with young green peppercorns and cashew nuts (85 baht), a very interesting, crispy and tasty appetiser, and "Baked Shrimps with Vermicelli" (140 baht) served in an iron pan directly from the fire. The Vermicelli was perfectly prepared, soft, yet still with a "bite" and spiced with ginger, soy sauce and bacon.

I ordered a "Tournedo Cordon Rouge" (185 baht) as my main course, one of Green Bottle’s famous fillet steaks. Stuffed with Goose Liver Pate and wrapped in bacon, it would definitely win the "Cordon Rouge" if there would be such a trophy. The meat was tender and the filling excellent.

My friend had a "Chicken Curry Hawaii" (185 baht) served in half a pineapple with pieces of pineapple and bananas mixed with mild, thick chicken curry. This is a perfect dish for somebody who loves curry, yet not too spicy.

After this rich meal, we had to decline Khun Winai’s offer to try Green Bottle’s top order, a "Diana Pepper Steak". But since this is one of the favourites at the Pub, I have had it before and I can assure you it’s very good.

At the end of our meal, right before our coffee, we decided to share a fruit flambé - there is no description necessary, it is so delicious, you have to try it out yourself.

The setting of the table was very neat, the service friendly and fast and the garnish on the plates show the artistic skills of the kitchen staff and the Thai chef.

Green Bottle also offers night-owls a late breakfast, from 11:00 a.m. onwards. American breakfast for only 75 baht and Continental breakfast for 45 baht - I wonder how they can do it for this price with really everything on it. For those who get up earlier in the morning, Diana Inn, right next door, has a rich Breakfast Buffet every day and the price is also only 75 baht. Wow!

The Green Bottle is located at corner of Soi Diana Inn and Second Road, almost opposite Mike’s Department Store. It’s a hot tip for all those who like to wine and dine in a cosy atmosphere, warm surroundings and at the same time listen to good music.

Australia Day, 26 January 1998

Address of H.E. William Fisher, Ambassador to Thailand

On Australia Day 1998, I would like to convey the respects and best wishes of the Australian people to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and to the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Thailand.

I am pleased that in my first Australia Day message I can say that the relationship between Australia and Thailand is in good health. When I write this message next year, after my first year as Ambassador to Thailand, I want to be able to say that relations are even healthier.

1997 commenced on a strong note. In February the Foreign and Commerce Ministers of Australia and Thailand met for the inaugural Australia Thailand Economic Commission in Canberra. The meeting raised the profile of the relationship and allowed us to focus on opportunities for increased economic contact. We agreed to aim to double bilateral trade and investment by the year 2000. This is an ambitious target, but one which underlines the confidence we have in the fundamental economic strengths of both Australia and Thailand.

As a friend and neighbour, Australia was pleased to be one of the countries to participate with a $US 1 billion currency swap in the IMF sponsored international financial package for Thailand. Australia also contributed to IMF packages for Indonesia and the Republic of Korea.

Notwithstanding Thailand’s solid long term prospects, developments in the region’s financial and currency markets over the latter part of 1997 pose a real challenge. Economic stability in Thailand and the region is in the interests of Australia and the international community. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Downer, has made it clear that Australia will continue to assist Thailand in the structural reforms now underway, in areas where we have the capacity to contribute, such as in financial management or reform of the public sector.

Although the economy has dominated the news, we should not forget that 1997 was a watershed year in the political history of Thailand, with the introduction of a new constitution. 1998 promises to be just as significant, with the Parliament expected to pass the enabling legislation which will provide the framework for a more democratic and open political system. Australia is proud to be one of the oldest continuous democracies in the world. I am equally proud that the framers of Thailand’s new constitution and organic laws have been drawing on Australia’s experience. Each country, of course, adapts democracy to meet its distinctive circumstances. But we learn from each other, and Australia is delighted to be working with Thailand as it continues its commendable steps as a democratic nation.

In 1997 Australia’s commitment to Thailand was also demonstrated in the number of ministerial visits. In October our Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Tim Fischer, led a business delegation to Thailand. In addition to meeting with his Thai colleagues, Mr. Fischer also launched the "Australia in Amazing Thailand" promotion, presided over the launch of Australia’s largest software developer and exporter, Mincom, into the Thai market and participated in Australia’s Defence Asia and Environmental Management promotions. Other ministerial visitors included the Minister for Defence, Ian McLachlan, the Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism, John Moore, the Minister for Workplace Relations and Small Business, Peter Reith and the Minister for Defence Industry, Science and Personnel, Bronwyn Bishop. A Parliamentary Delegation led by Kathy Sullivan, now the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, visited Thailand in September 1997.

Business is another pillar of our relationship. At the Economic Commission in February business delegates agreed to foster mutual business interests by forming industry specific groups. The Australia Thailand Business Council held its annual meeting in Perth in September. It will meet in Thailand this year. The Australian Thai Chamber of Commerce, which provides invaluable service to its members, celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 1997.

The economic slowdown will increase demand in Thailand for technology to reduce costs and enhance exports. Australian business has a strong record of technology transfer. Australia can help to fill the physical and human infrastructure gaps in the economy. We will continue to offer raw materials and industrial imputs.

Australian investment grew strongly in 1997. Australia’s National Australia Bank (NAB) officially opened its Bangkok International Banking Facility. Krung Thai AXA Life, a joint venture between National Mutual and two Thai partners, was granted a life insurance licence last month and will commence operations shortly. In July 1997 the Embassy hosted a very successful automotive mission. As a result a number of automotive parts manufacturers are likely to extend operations to Thailand. In November Privy Counsellor and former Prime Minister General Prem Tinsulanonda opened the new 1300 million Baht factory in Ayuthaya belonging to Thai Dairy Industry. Thai Dairy Industry is 30 per cent owned by Australian interests.

Australia’s aid program assists Thailand to tackle some of the key development challenges it faces. The Australian Government views its development cooperation program with Thailand as a partnership, and a successful one.

In human resource development, the Thailand Australia Science and Engineering Project, which commenced in 1997, will assist Thailand to improve its undergraduate science and engineering in public universities. We recognise the importance the Royal Thai Government places on human resource development and are proud to be associated with this activity.

The Thailand Land Titling Project remains one of Australia’s premier aid projects in Thailand. The project provides key land titling systems, training and technical advice to support a massive expansion of land title deeds, which has also been supported by the World Bank. Secure title to land promotes economic development by providing an environment to facilitate growth, through increased investment. The World Bank acknowledged the sustained success of the Australian/World Bank/Royal Thai Government land titling program by awarding the project team the 1997 World Bank President’s Award for Excellence in project delivery.

One of the roles of the aid program is to foster people to people contact. The Thailand Australia Youth Ambassadors Program, which was launched at the Ministerial Commission in February, does just that. Under the program young Australian graduates spend 12 months working in Thailand on urban and rural development projects. These placements will build relationships which strengthen future political, cultural and commercial relations. The first five youth ambassadors arrived in Thailand during 1997. Another ten are expected early in the new year.

Tourism also strengthens people to people links. Thailand has long been a popular destination for Australians. Many Australians will visit during the Amazing Thailand promotion. Australia is also a popular destination with Thai travellers owing to its proximity, relaxed lifestyle and beautiful countryside.

Australia remains a preferred destination for many Thai students because Australia offers high educational standards and a safe, close and clean environment. Approximately 8000 (full time as well as part time) students chose to study in Australia in 1997. A number of Australian educational institutions have agreements with their Thai counterparts to design and implement courses in Thailand. For example, agreements were recently concluded between Casey Institute of Further and Vocational Education and the Tourism Authority of Thailand for the development of English language and teacher training curricula, and between the Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE and Siam Business and Administration College to enable SBAC’s students to graduate with an internationally recognised qualification in Information Technology and Business without leaving Thailand. These agreements demonstrate the benefits that academic cooperation can bring to Thailand and Australia.

The Thai Australian Association (TAA) demonstrates the value of friendships and networks forged while studying abroad. The association, which is open to anyone who has an interest in Australia as well as to those people who have studied in Australia, has grown by 15-20 per cent in the last year. The TAA conducts activities to suit all interests and age groups. I encourage you to join.

Australia and Thailand continue to enjoy a strong defence relationship. Our bilateral defence cooperation adds to the security of the region. Without regional security, the governments of Australia and Thailand cannot provide the conditions to allow their peoples to live prosperous, healthy and full lives. We have an active defence cooperation program with joint exercises held annually. In 1997 a joint Air Force exercise, THAI BOOMERANG, was a major success as were the Army exercises TEMPLE JADE, NIGHT PANTHER and DAY PANTHER. In 1998 the Royal Australian Navy will participate in PASSEX exercises with the Royal Thai Navy. Each year Thai military personnel participate in training programs run by the Australian Defence Forces. Recently the Australian Defence Force established a scholarship program to enable ten Thai military officers to undertake postgraduate training in Australia annually.

Defence Industry agreements play an important part in strengthening our defence relationship. During her visit to Thailand in December 1997, Mrs. Bishop announced that the joint venture partners, Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) and Silkline International, had won a multi billion Baht contract from the Royal Thai Navy for the construction of three landing craft utilities. Mrs. Bishop also laid the keel for the third patrol vessel to be built for the Royal Thai Navy by the Thai Australian joint venture.

Let me close this message by saying how delighted I am to have been given the honour of representing Australia in Thailand. I look forward to working closely and energetically with the Royal Thai Government, with the people of Thailand and with my fellow-Australians to deepen and expand the bonds between Australia and Thailand.

William Fisher
Ambassador to Thailand

Australia still a favourite tourism spot Once considered a place too far away, Australia’s appeal as a travel destination continues to grow remarkably. Statistics show that in the year ended September 1997, Australia hosted 4.3 million overseas tourists (aged 15 and over), a new high and an increase of 6.3 per cent over the same period a year earlier. Sydney, host city to the year 2000 Olympic Games, is Australia’s oldest and largest city, with a population of 4 million. With its central business area sweeping down to a spectacular harbour, its inner suburbs preched on sea-washed headlands and its eastern suburbs stretching for 50 km along Pacific Ocean beaches, its location is visually superb. Backing this sun-blessed natural wonderland is a city of sophisticated shops, theatres, eating places, sporting facilities and ethnic variety. Little wonder the Opera House is Australia’s most popular tourist attraction, the Sydney Harbour Bridge an international landmark, its beaches world famous and the city the No.1 destination for overseas tourists. In 1996-97, international tourists poured $16.1 billion into the economy, 14.4 per cent of the country’s total export earnings, amking tourism.

Automania

by Iain Corness

Edsel Ford - Where are you?

Edsel Ford is alive (but not very well) and living in an allotment on Sukhumvit Road! Now then, all you disbelievers - let me assure you that this last week I discovered a real live Edsel, right here in Pattaya. Now I know that the "Amazing" theme will drive us all mad by the end of 1998, but the oddball motor cars you can find in Thailand really is "amazing".

The Edsel marquee was one of Ford’s spectacular failures. Named after Henry Ford’s son it was released in the mid 50’s and bombed in the biggest way. No-one liked it, no-one bought it and the whole concept failed, costing Ford Motor Corporation mega dollars.

The good news, however, was like most other spectacular failures, they turn into very expensive collectors items many years later. Who remembers the Bucciali TAV? This was an inline 16 cylinder built by the Bucciali brothers in an attempt to rival the famed Bugatti Royale. They managed to build three of them before they had squandered the entire family fortune - and sold none. How much would one of those be worth today? Before you rush out to look for one - don’t bother. They were melted down and made into 476 Datsun 1600’s.

Another desirable classic I have spotted in Thailand is a Tatra. I’d only ever seen one before in the UK - but there it was, sitting under a tree in Chiang Mai last year. These were made in Czechoslovakia in the 30s and featured an all alloy air-cooled V8 in the rear. The styling and rear engine/rear wheel drive concept pre-dated the VW. They were "beetle backed" with two very small rear windows, one either side of a central ridge. Very advanced for their day - and one even found its way to the "Rose of the North"!

However, let’s get back to Pattaya, 1998. The reason I found the Edsel is that I am scouring the streets looking for a run-about. Nothing expensive (read CHEAP) so I have been driving (in my hired VIA Daihatsu - thanks guys) up and down Sukhumvit from Jomtien to Chonburi trying to find the classic, used, one owner motor car. You know the sort of thing - driven by a little old lady, only on Sundays, etc.

This exercise has turned out to be somewhat more difficult than I expected, very unlike my experiences before in Australia or the UK. To start with, there are no welcoming and easily recognizable signs to say "For Sale" - instead you get a series of "clues" to point you towards available cars.

The first of these is that you have to get used to a sign in Thai writing which looks suspiciously like "Ul&". Bilingual friends assure me this actually says "Sell" and is usually placed on the roof of any offered vehicle.

The second clue that any particular car may be for sale is how it is parked. Have you noticed that cars NOT for sale are parked nose in to the shop houses, whilst those for sale are parked nose OUT. Don’t believe me? Have a look next time you’re dribbling down Sukhumvit.

Of course, if a nosed out vehicle doesn’t have a "Ul&" sign on its roof doesn’t mean that it’s not for sale. Numerous, obviously shy, vendors put the magic sign on the dashboard, where you cannot see it until you actually stop, get out and inspect. Mind you, this has led to the interesting situation where I’ve spotted a car, nose out and a likely candidate, so I’ve zoomed to a halt across its bows to find that I’ve just cut off someone trying to drive out from their house! This incident is hard to explain when you and the other driver have no common language!

The language barrier really is a problem. Have you ever tried miming, "Does it have registration?" Or how about, "Is this the original engine?" The query, "Has it been serviced regularly?" just defies all attempts at charades. Not even Marcel Marceau would get you out of this one!

So it has been an interesting few days. I think I’ve driven every S*** Box in a 50 km radius from the Pattaya Mail Editorial Office. Some of them have been very interesting with undoubtedly chequered careers. One, I am sure, was used to attempt to derail the Bangkok - Hua Hin express! In the meantime I’m still hiring cars. I’ll let you know if I find something.

Mind you, if anyone out there has a cheap Mira in good nick, let me know through the Pattaya Mail Office and we can haggle about it!

How’s your pick-up form?

Picked up anything good recently? No, this is not an exercise undertaken in Soi Tomato but a discourse on motor cars. Pick-ups are certainly a very popular form of transportation in all the Asian countries. Models from Mitsubishi, Toyota and Nissan representing the majority on Pattaya’s roads. However, throughout the Western world the pick-up is also enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Indeed, Ford and Chrysler in the USA have now lifted total company sales back to profitability with their pick-ups, re-christened "Sports Trucks" over there. Expect some new offerings from all the major players in the market place this year.

Now for all you enthusiasts, thirsting for trivia - which country invented the pick-up truck? For all those who said America - sorry, this time you’re wrong. For those who said Japan - then I’m sorry, wrong again. (The only item Japan has given to international culture is the Karaoke - and gawd help us all!) Europe? No, wrong again.

The pick-up was invented in Australia! Originally cut down sedans used in the outback, they became so desirable that they were finally produced in that form. Known in Oz as "Utes" (short for Utility Vehicle) they are still a very popular item today. In fact, a great looking pick-up is known as a "You beaut ute". So now you know!

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