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#91
29-12-2005, 11:46 AM
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Dos and Don'ts in Thailand
Dos and Don'ts in Thailand
One of the main reasons people travel is to explore other cultures and establish how other countries and cultures do things. It is then quite remarkable then to see people wandering around the Kingdom imposing their cultural approach on the situations and events they encounter. Often these leads to confusion, worse, it sometimes leads to ugly scenes that are entirely avoidable with a modicum on insight on how things are done in Thailand. What follows then is a list of Dos and Don’ts for when you are in the Kingdom: The Monarchy The monarchy is revered by all Thais and people will simply will not tolerate any lack respect towards any members of the royal family – past or present. If you come from a culture like that in the United Kingdom, where royals are often in the news and are sometimes subject to criticism, be especially careful. Criticism of the King and Royal Family is not just frowned upon in Thailand; it is against the law – a punishable offence that is taken very seriously. As an example to underscore the importance of this issue, in 2002 two journalists from the Far Eastern Economic Review published a short article about the relationship between, Thaksin Shinawatra, the country’s Prime Minister, and King Bumibol Adulyadej. As a result of the article, the journalists were threatened with expulsion for contravening Thailand’s tough lèse majesté laws. Religion Thailand’s national religion is Buddhism (although there are significant numbers of Muslims and a minority group of Christians) and it is very important to be respectful as far as the religion is concerned. Always dress ‘politely’ when entering a temple or religious shrine. As you are on holiday in a hot country, your perspective of polite dress might be coloured by the situation you are in. However, shorts, bikinis, tops that show your bare arms, skirts that show your legs, open-toed sandals and generally dirty or unkempt attire is considered inappropriate. In some of the larger temples like Wat Prakeaw guards will actually forbid you from entering if you are dressed inappropriately, and you may have to hire sarongs and strips of material to cover yourself up before being permitted to enter. At the smaller temples you are on your own – do the right thing! Buddha Images Buddha images are sacred, whatever size or condition. Never climb on a Buddha image, and be very careful about taking photos – some images are so sacred photographs are forbidden. Abide by this rule or you may even be asked to leave. If you can’t cross your legs, don’t sit on the floor in front of temple’s Buddha image – in doing so you will point your feet at the Buddha which is an act of sacrilege (see Feet below). The 2004 film ‘Hollywood Buddha’ caused an uproar in Thailand and other Buddhist countries in the region when advertising posters for the film showed a central character sitting on the head of a Buddha image. Their reaction was most un-Thai like. Be warned. Monks Buddhist monks are not allowed to touch or be touched by a woman or accept anything a woman might offer. If a woman wants to give something to a monk it must first be given to a man, or put on a piece of cloth. The monk will then drag the cloth to him before picking the item up. Likewise a monk will not shake a man’s hand – that type of contact is forbidden. Monks travel on public transport and require the same respect there as they would receive at the temple. If a bus or train, etc. is crowded and a monk is likely to come into contact with people, do not hesitate to give the monk your seat. Often special seats are allocated for monks only – don’t sit in them! Shoes Do not wear shoes inside a temple where Buddha images are kept. Take your shoes off before entering someone’s home. Greetings Thais do not shake hands; they ‘wai’ – a gesture made by placing your hands together in front of your face a bowing a little. Generally, you should not wai to a child and a younger person should wai an older person first. However, these rules are possibly a little more flexible as far as a foreigner is concerned, the Thais you wai will generally very much appreciate you delving into the local custom and practice. The Head Whereas in the west a friendly pat on the head, especially the head of someone a bit younger than you, will be regarded as a friendly and supportive gesture, in Thailand any gesture towards the head will cause Thais to recoil and will be greeted with shock and possibly annoyance. Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body – the temple of the body as it were. As such touching someone’s head is entirely unacceptable. The Feet Whereas the head is the highest point of the body, the feet are the lowest. Do not point at things with your feet, and do not point the palms of your feet at anyone (see Buddha Images above). Shouting and Shows of Annoyance In Thailand shouting and shows of annoyance are entirely frowned upon, whatever the situation. There may be times when you face frustrations, do so quietly a calmly. Shouting and showing annoyance are signs of lack of discipline and in doing either you are in fact showing yourself up. This might lead to the Thai you are talking to trying to help you ‘save face’ by smiling and possibly even laughing to defuse the situation. For Westerners in particular, there could probably not be a less appropriate reaction and often it serves to exasperate a situation. The results are often explosive. Rather than deal with the subtle intricacies of this aspect of culture, simply do not get angry – things will work themselves out much better if you can avoid it. Drugs Thailand takes drugs very seriously and is trying to eradicate unlawful drugs entirely. Don’t either partake or trade in illegal substances. Clubs and places of entertainment are sometimes raided and people made to put forward urine samples. If you test positive, penalties will be harsh. Trading in drugs will lead to the death penalty or likely decades in prison. General Kissing, cuddling and similar behaviour are frowned upon if in public – especially amongst older Thais. Younger Thais are unlikely to be as shocked, but to avoid their possible discomfort, avoid the behaviour. Thais are generally shy people and few are likely to walk up to you and engage in conversation. If this happens, and the conversation moves towards the purchase of gems, gold, jewellery or other such items, beware. Every year people get caught up in purchases of items at entirely inflated prices that have little or no value because they are told they can sell these items at a profit in their home countries. Remember you are here on holiday – not here to make a fast buck. If something seems too good to be true – it is. Smoking in the street is illegal – you can be fined 2,000 Baht. Dropping litter in the street is illegal – the same fine applies. Do not engage in purchase of wild animals whether protected or not. Aside from the moral issues, punishments are very harsh. 
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#92
29-12-2005, 01:10 PM
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Countdown to 2006 Celebrations : 31 Dec '05 to 1 Jan '06
Countdown to 2006 Celebrations
As the happy New Year is approaching, let’s get ready to celebrate the first moment of the next year by joining the countdowns at one of the magnificently decorated streets of Bangkok or of other provinces. Bangkok: Bangkok countdown is to be held at the Central World Plaza on Ratchadamri Road, downtown Bangkok on the New Year’s Eve. Various musical groups with famous singers and adaptive regional cultural performances by native artists wait to entertain all of you. The Central World Plaza will be transform into a fabulous paradise, together with the state-of-the-art spectacular laser lighting show. With our meticulous attention to this Bangkok Countdown Event, the New Year’s Eve experience will delight everyone with an impressive experience. In addition to the countdown, you can enjoy many festivities alongside including: • “X’mas Tree Trail” created by many grand decorative Christmas trees along Rama I Road in front of Siam Discovery Center to the Emporium on Sukhumvit Road from 1 December 2005 to 15 January 2006 • Light decoration under the themes “Flower” and “Thailand Grand Invitation” from 1 December 2005 to 7 January 2006 in Ratchaprasong areas to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of HM King Bhumibol’s Accession to the Throne in 2006. • New Year’s Merit-making activities, offering food to the monks on 1 January 2006 at 06:00 hrs. at the Royal Field (Sanam Luang), opposite to the Grand Palace, Bangkok. • Paying Homage to nine temples and shrines from 30 December 2005 to 31 January 2006 from 08:30 to 16:00 hrs. To be blessed at the beginning of the New Year, you are invited to pay homage to the sacred beings at nine temples and shrines, all located on or near the Rattanakosin manmade island viz. the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Chana Songkhram, Wat Rakhang, Wat Suthat, Wat Arun, Wat Kalaya, the Father Tiger Shrine, and the Lak Muang Shrine. For more information, please contact Bangkok Tourism Division on tel. 0 2225 7612-5 Expected venues in other provinces Chiang Mai: From 18:00 hrs. on 31 December 2005 to 01:00 hrs. on 1 January 2006 Venue: Tha Pae Road and the ground of Tha Pae Gate Festivities are divided into 3 parts: 1. International Food Street 2. Musical Street 3. Entertainment Ground For more information, please contact your travel agent or the Tourism Authority of Thailand Northern Office: Region 1 (Chiang Mai) on tel. 0 5324 8607. Pattaya: 29 December 2005 – 1 January 2006 Venue: Bali Hai Pier, South Pattaya Enjoy the grand festival with colourful fireworks to celebrate the New Year. For more information, please contact your travel agent or the Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Office: Region 3 (Pattaya) on tel. 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750. Hat Yai, Songkhla: 31 December 2005 – 1 January 2006 Venue: Sa-ne-ha-nu-son and the main roads in Hat Yai Municipality Celebrate the New Year with many activities including Miss Night Paradise and Countdown 2006 Beauty Contest, stage performances by Malaysian, Singaporian and Thai artists, Marching Band Show, Street Carnival, Entertainment zones comprising Dance Zone, Fun Zone and Drink Zone, tour packages of paying homage to nine temples, Marathon competition and merit-making activities. For more information, please contact your travel agent or the Tourism Authority of Thailand Southern Office: Region 1 (Hat Yai) on tel. 0 7424 3747, 0 7423 1055. Phuket: 31 December 2005 – 1 January 2006 Venue: Saphan Hin Mining Monument, Phuket town Experience spectacular fireworks as well as many interesting activities including a demonstration of traditional fruit carving and other handicrafts, music performances and sales of local and OTOP products. For more information, please contact your travel agent or the Tourism Authority of Thailand Southern Office: Region 4 (Phuket) on tel. 0 7621 1036, 0 7621 2213
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#93
29-12-2005, 10:19 PM
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State bus agency provides holiday tour service
Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 29 December 2005 :-
State bus agency provides holiday tour service BANGKOK, Dec 29 (TNA) - Members of the general public now have a new way for recreation on their holidays--up country tours with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). BMTA announced here on Thursday that the state-run agency had launched the new tour service in which holiday-lovers in Bangkok would be taken to tourist destinations in provincial areas--a one-day tour in each programme. The newly-introduced service begins with a tour to Khao Khiew Open Zoo in the country's eastern province of Chonburi. The initiative is part of the Ministry of Transport's plan to expand BMTA services, as well as promote public communications and study tours of students or other groups of people, according to BMTA officials. Schools, groups of people or individuals interested in the new BMTA's service can contact the BMTA headquarters or call at 184 for more information and reservations. (TNA)
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#94
30-12-2005, 06:05 PM
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Thailand: Residents in Surin Province worship coconut tree
An odd-looking coconut tree with two trunks has been found in Surin Province.
Locals are worshipping the coconut tree in Sang_Kha District. The tree belongs to Mrs. Mit Kaewphirom. It is 10 meters tall, and the trunk separates into two at the middle portion. The owner said that 20 years ago she planted 3 coconut trees, but only 1 survived. Ten years later, a storm blew up a sheet of metal that sliced into the coconut tree. Mrs. Mit expected the tree to die, but strangely, it has grown two trunks.
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#95
31-12-2005, 12:41 AM
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Source of reference & date
Bro U-Need,
Thank you for joining me in posting articles about Thailand in this NEW thread. However, I have one advice for you......... Can you please quote your source of reference ( eg Bangkok Post, The Nation, etc ) and the date of the report ? Your article will be ' more reliable ' and ' can be trusted ' if we know where it is taken from
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#96
31-12-2005, 10:46 AM
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Customs finally agrees to beef up surveillance
Report from Bangkok Post dated Saturday 31 December 2005 :-
TIES WITH MALAYSIA / VEHICLE THEFT, SMUGGLING : Customs finally agrees to beef up surveillance ASSAWIN PAKKAWAN WICHAYAN BOONCHOTE Songkhla _ Customs officials have finally tightened their surveillance after eight years of continuous complaints from Malaysia that nearly 2,000 vehicles were stolen from its territory and smuggled into Thailand for sale. ''Our inspections have indicated that the cars were smuggled into the South by being hidden in cargo containers, ships, or being simply sent through some poorly-patrolled border checkpoints along the Thai-Malaysian border,'' said the director of the Regional Customs Bureau 4 Rakope Srisupha-at. According to an official Malaysian report, a total of 1,722 vehicles were stolen over a seven-year period since 1997, and most were motorbikes. Many of the stolen vehicles were dismantled by car theft gangs in Malaysia itself and then exported as spare parts to Indonesia and Singapore, while Thailand served as a transit point through which the cars were delivered to customers in Laos and Burma, Mr Rakope said. So far, Thai customs officials have seized 29 cars, all suspected to have been stolen from Malaysia. ''There must be orders first and a gang in Thailand then sends down payments from customers to its affiliated gangs in Malaysia,'' said a garage owner, who asked not to be named. ''A car is then stolen and sent to Thailand as a tourist car,'' he said. The Customs Department has ordered its officials to keep an eye on cars being imported from Malaysia, especially second-hand vehicles. But Mr Rakope said, ''We have to be extra careful because if the checks are too rigid, it could hurt the tourism industry.'' The department is also investigating whether its custom officials were involved in the smuggling racket. The department has already transferred nine of its officials suspected of helping the smugglers. However, Mr Rakope said not all complaints were linked to car theft gangs. He said some Malaysian car owners who defaulted on instalments crossed into Thailand and sold their cars here before going back to report their cars stolen. A theft would allow them to claim the insurance money.
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#97
31-12-2005, 11:03 AM
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Met Dept fears the worst for 2006
Report from Bangkok Post dated Saturday 31 December 2005 :-
Met Dept fears the worst for 2006 : More floods, drought on way, say experts PIYAPORN WONGRUANG SURASAK GLAHAN The year 2005 has been a bad year for natural disasters, with severe floods and drought hitting several parts of the country, but more is yet to come next year, experts have warned. They say the country should brace for more serious floods in 2006. Drought problems, which seriously hit the eastern region, will probably ease a little. Kriengkrai Khovadhana, deputy chief of the Meteorological Department, said most parts of the country will be threatened by floods in 2006, though the magnitude of their impact has yet to be determined. ''Weather could still be far less predictable in the long term,'' he said. The North was the first region to face floods, which began in April this year. Similar flooding occurred in other parts of the country towards the end of the year. The floods caused a huge economic loss to the country, with high casualties. In the South, there have been five floods since October. The current flooding, which began two weeks ago, has ravaged eight southern provinces. It has been the most serious flooding in the region in decades, with 26 fatalities. At the same time, 66 provinces experienced severe drought after an erupt end to the rainy season in Nov 2004. The problem lingered on until the middle of 2005. It affected almost 10 million people and devastated almost 14 million rai of land, with damage adding up to 7.41 billion baht, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology's Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute, this year's drought is the worst since the El Nino phenomenon in 1997-98. The hardest-hit area was the eastern region, which encountered a severe water shortage. ''This year's drought was the worst in 30 years'', said Netr Atchariyapituk, a senior irrigation official in Rayong. ''It was far beyond our expectations,'' he said. The Meteorological Department has so far forecast that the temperature next year is likely to rise, and has warned of wildfires during January and February, and floods in May. The agency says the first floods, to be triggered by tropical storms, will come to the North and Northeast as early as March. The western part is likely to suffer from heavy rains and floods in the second week of May, also the result of a tropical storm. Then, from June to August, the North and Northeast may again experience heavy rains and floods because of low pressure and a southwestern monsoon. The Central Plains and the East will probably face problems from September until the end of the year, then it will be the turn of the upper South and the East in October. In the last two months, heavy rain and floods are likely to hurt the lower South. Weather experts say that they still have no clues to the cause of such extreme weather patterns. Climate change expert Anond Snidvongs, of Chulalongkorn University's faculty of sciences, said it was too early to link the domestic severe climate pattern to the global climate change. He said heavy rains in the South reflected the difference in temperatures between the Indian Ocean and the Asian continent, which was unusually high, resulting in heavy flows of air and moisture from the ocean to the land, and hence heavy rains and floods. He said to determine whether climate change is the cause, scientists need to first compare the frequency and intensity of such conditions in the past three decades. However, they lacked such data concerning past severe climate patterns. The expert said the unusual weather conditions were the result of fast economic development, with little concern for the environmental impact, adding that such trends needed to be reversed. Suvit Yodmani, executive director of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, urged the government to attach more importance to disaster preparedness, particularly in strengthening people's knowledge and capacities in dealing with disasters so that they could help themselves first. He also spoke of a lack of coordination among related agencies in disaster management. ''State agencies still have their own missions, while disaster management has never come up on their priority list. What is needed is integration, in planning and implementation, among different agencies,'' said Dr Suvit. Anucha Mokkhavesa, chief of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said the country needed long-term planning in the area of water management to reduce the risk of flood-related disasters. He said the agency has adopted a disaster management master plan and will encourage local administrative bodies to have a bigger role in disaster management in their areas. Meanwhile, Samart Chokkanapitark, chief of the Irrigation Department, said any drought would be less serious than in 2005 as his agency had made efforts to retain enough water for consumption.
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#98
31-12-2005, 08:07 PM
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Re: Review of the Soi Cowboy girls
Quote:
 many tks in advance... cheers...
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#99
01-01-2006, 03:17 PM
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Over 100 arrested in casino raid in Bangkok
Report from Bangkok Post dated Sunday 1 January 2006 :-
Over 100 arrested in casino raid : Almost B2m seized in betting money By Wassayos Ngamkham Metropolitan police yesterday raided an illegal casino in the Tao Poon area of Bang Sue district and arrested more than 100 gamblers and confiscated almost two million baht in betting money. It was the second time the casino was raided. On June 22, 353 gamblers were arrested and around 56 million baht in betting money was seized by 100 crime suppression officers and 10 commandos in a highly-publicised operation. Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay Nimmano, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau's division 2, led some 150 police officers in uniform and plainclothes to raid the Tao Poon casino in Khao Sarn alley, Bang Sue district, at 4am yesterday. They acted on intelligence reports that the casino planned to resume business and would reopen during the New Year holiday period. Before the raid, a number of plainclothes police had posed as gamblers and signalled the officers waiting outside to capture 11 doormen on duty at the casino's gates. They stormed the two adjacent buildings which house the casino. The buildings were surrounded by high barb-wire fences. Police caught 108 gamblers red-handed with 11,934 baht cash, 1,270 chips worth 1.79 million baht, 211 decks of cards and many other gambling tools. The suspects were later taken to various Bangkok police stations for questioning. Suwin sae Lim, 64, confessed to being the building owner while Udon Ngamnimit, Niran Chiew-amornchai, Surasak Thongma and Somchai Siriwangso were identified as the bookies. All were charged by Tao Poon police and arraigned by the northern Bangkok district court in the afternoon. Metropolitan police commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Viroj Chantharangsi said plainclothes police waited for the gamblers to fill the casino before launching the raid. Police will demand harsher punishment from the court against Mr Suwin who was on probation after being earlier arrested by crime suppression police on a charge of running a casino.
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#100
01-01-2006, 03:25 PM
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Koh Samui : Tourists, prices climb through the season
Report from The Nation dated Sunday 1 January 2006 :-
Koh Samui : Tourists, prices climb through the season Samui is drawing so many local and foreign holiday-makers that just about every room on the resort island is booked. Instead of the somewhat depressed high season they expected, tourism officials have to deal with a steady stream of complaints from visitors who say they are being overcharged for rooms. The better-than-expected surge of tourist arrivals has been achieved despite heavy rains before December 25. Resort operators were expecting a 60 to 70 per cent occupancy rate during the New Year holidays due to the unseasonable downpour last month. Instead, all of Bangkok Airways’ 34 flights from Bangkok to the island during the New Year season have been fully booked. Bhanu Voramit, chief of Samui’s Centre for Tourism Coordination, said the 12,879 rooms on the Kingdom’s second-largest island had been booked by about 30,000 tourists from Europe, East Asia and Thailand. The country’s largest resort island, Phuket, is well on the road to recovery after suffering considerably from the December 2004 tsunami. Occupancy rates are at 90 per cent for beachside establishments, officials said. The island’s tourism authority expects a Bt500-million New Year’s boost. Fireworks welcomed the year in on Patong Beach, Saphan Hin and Saphan Sarasin. A midnight run was also held. Resort operators described the mood as optimistic after a sobering year due to the loss and destruction wrought by the tsunami. Even East Asian tourists – who were slow to return after the disaster – are back.
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#101
01-01-2006, 09:35 PM
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PM Thaksin with family in Singapore for New Year holidays
Report from The Nation dated Sunday 1 January 2006 :-
PM Thaksin with family in Singapore for New Year holidays Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family left for New Year holidays in Singapore Sunday despite the government?s promotions for Thais to spend holidays in the kingdom to boost local tourism. Thaksin said he did not spend the holidays in Thailand because he did not want to cause burden to some 50 officials, who might have to be on duty if he stayed in the kingdom. Thaksin and his family will be in Singapore until Wednesday. Critics said Thaksin decided to leave the kingdom because he believed an advice from a fortune teller who said he should leave Thailand during New Year holidays.
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#102
02-01-2006, 09:55 AM
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BRINGING IN THE NEW YEAR: Thousands flock to make merit
Report from The Nation dated Monday 2 January 2006 :-
BRINGING IN THE NEW YEAR: Thousands flock to make merit After colourful countdowns on Saturday night, Thais throughout the country began the first morning of 2006 by making Buddhist-style food offerings, or taak bart, to monks. In many provinces, the religious activity was organised by provincial authorities while elsewhere communities staged their own. The biggest official offering was held at Buddha Monthon in Nakhon Pathom, where deputy Prime Minsiter Suwat Liptapanlop led local residents and visitors to offer food to 1,250 monks. In Ranong, Trang and Songkhla, dry food items collected by the monks were to be gathered and sent to flood victims around Songkhla Lake. Floodwater continues to linger in Songkhla’s three districts because of the high level of water in the lake. In Phuket, thousands of people took part in taak bart activities at Saphan Hin. In Tak, the line of people waiting to offer food to monks stretched for more than a kilometre. End-of-year parties were attended by both locals and foreign tourists in most big towns, except for the three restive provinces on the southern border and some tsunami-affected provinces like Phang Nga. Hotels in Phuket and Hat Yai reported occupancy rates of 70 per cent last night as tourists flooded into the towns to join the Andaman Fun Park and Entertainment Fair and the Night Paradise Hat Yai Countdown 2006, which were organised to help revive the tourism industry in the Andaman provinces. The two main countdown sites in Phuket were Patong Beach and Saphan Hin. However, the influx of tourists into Phuket also brought back the water-shortage problem, local hotel owners said. A highlight of the party in Chiang Mai was the launch of traditional floating lamps. However, the burning lamps caused two small fires in the main town – one near the parking lot of The House restaurant on Moolmuang Road and another one in the Wat Ket area. No one was hurt in the fires, which caused some slight damage to property. Alcohol-fuelled fights among teenagers were blamed for the deaths of three people in Pattaya, Prachuab Khiri Khan and Nakhon Si Thammarat. In Chiang Rai, police caught one Burmese and one Taiwanese trying to use the occasion to smuggle 400 grams of heroin across the Mae Sai Pass into Thailand. In his New Year blessing, respected senior monk Phra Thep Wisutkawee of Bangkok’s Rachathiwaswiharn urged Thais to live their lives carefully and to follow the five Buddhist’s precepts.
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#103
02-01-2006, 10:07 AM
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Thai firms paying lucrative bonuses
Report from The New Straits Times dated Monday 2 January 2006 :-
Thai firms paying lucrative bonuses BANGKOK, Sun: Despite stiff competition, rising fuel prices and inflation, some major companies in Thailand are paying lucrative bonuses to their employees, including one that pays up to 12 months’ salary. In the list of bonus payments compiled by the Nation newspaper recently, automobile manufacturer AP Honda is giving a maximum 12 months’ salary and its competitor Toyota, seven months. It highlighted the continued growth in the automotive industry in Thailand, dubbed the “Detroit of Asia”, where last month it became the 14th country in the world to have achieved one million locally assembled units. Other companies that pay good bonuses are the highly-competitive media industry, with Thai Rath media group giving six months’ bonus and Matichon, 3.5 months. — Bernama
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#104
02-01-2006, 10:13 AM
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Uncertainties loom over Thai bid for airport supremacy
Report from The New Straits Times dated Monday 2 January 2006 :-
Uncertainties loom over Thai bid for airport supremacy BANGKOK, Sun: Thailand aims to become South-East Asia’s aviation hub when the new US$3.7 billion (US$1 = RM3.78) Bangkok international airport opens but some aviation officials doubt that the June opening date will be met. Suvarnabhumi airport is meant to surpass regional rivals Singapore and Malaysia, but the world civil aviation body has yet to approve the project. Officials from an international aviation group say the facility — which was partially opened amid much fanfare in September last year — needs more time so tests can be run. The airport, whose name means “ golden land ”, has been planned for more than 40 years and was variously scheduled to open in 1990, 2000 and September 29 2005. A high-speed train line linking it with the city is at least two years away. The delays are because the Government ruled that the airport, 25km east of Bangkok, would be expanded to take both domestic and international flights, not simply international ones as consultants had proposed. However Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who publicly pledged it would open last September, decided in December to postpone a scheduled expansion immediately after the opening. “We have checked and found that everything is ready,” Thaksin said in his weekly radio address yesterday. “The airport could be opened in the next 180 days or by the end of June.” Airport general manager Somchai Sawasdeepon said most construction work was finished except for airline facilities including lounges and offices. “We are preparing for commissioning processes to make sure air traffic control and ground services will have as few problems as possible,” he said. “Everything could be completed within the next six months,” he said, adding that the airlines had been told operations will start in June.Some observers remain unconvinced. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents 270 airlines, pointed out that the airport lacks approval from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for its security systems. “Without certification from the Icao, the new airport cannot be opened,” Chitvee Leelasiri, Iata country manager, said. “It should be certified before commissioning works start.” He said the private sector was not allowed a full inspection of the airport during a September visit and airlines were worried about unresolved disputes over airline lounge designs. “The period of another 180 days might be too short to be commercially operating,” Chitvee said. — AFP
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#105
02-01-2006, 03:25 PM
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Good fortune in bad times
Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 2 January 2006 :-
GOOD FORTUNE IN BAD TIMES : As economic uncertainty mounts, fortune-tellers see increasing demand for their services Story by SUJINTANA HEMTASILPA Tougher economic times mean big business for fortune tellers, as people face an uncertain future. In the run-up to the New Year, Natthachai Leethananchai, director of Number Five Astrologer Institute at Imperial World in the Lad Phrao area, says he has seen a rise in client numbers. ''The 2006 economy seems to be a bit more slack than in 2005, so we can expect more clients,'' said Mr Natthachai. Economic conditions have a certain level of influence over people's psychological condition. Economic uncertainty makes people feel insecure and anxious about their future, and that could prompt more people to seek advice from fortune tellers, he said. ''This year will be a tougher one for low-income people, while uncertainty over economic and social conditions is on the rise,'' said Thanawat Sirithanasub, an astrologer at Siriluck Astrologer Room near the Tha Chang pier. ''In April, there will be a major change in the cabinet because one of Prime Minister Thaksin's [astrological] stars is clashing with one of the country's stars. The change will derive from the people's demand,'' said Mr Natthachai. He said the number of his clients usually increases significantly at the end and the beginning of the year, when people are pondering their futures. It's not only astrologers who feel that anxiety is rising among Thai people. Economic concerns were also reflected in a recent survey by the Chamber Business Poll at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. According to Thanavath Phonvichai, director of the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting at the university, the survey suggested that Thais will spend 34.3% of their New Year funds on merit making, compared with 18.6% last year. The statistics reflect the fact that people are more worried about future economic and social conditions, so they seek moral support, said Mr Thanavath. In terms of the astrology business, when the 1997 financial crisis struck Thailand, the industry thrived, but at the same time several more competitors entered the market, Mr Thanawat said. Many who became unemployed following the crisis opted for astrology as a new career, he added. ''I was the first to open an outlet at Tha Chang pier about eight years ago. With a lot of newcomers, this area has recently become the second-largest hub of fortune-telling outlets in the Bangkok, after Tha Phrachan,'' said Mr Thanawat. Tough competition has barred experienced fortune tellers from raising their fees. The slower economic conditions have forced some to lower their prices. Mr Thanawat said he has been charging his clients 200 baht per reading for eight years, despite rising operation costs. Mr Natthachai said he lowered his charge from 500 baht per reading to 300 baht two years ago. ''During the past few years, people have not been willing to let go of 500 baht from their pockets.'' The lower price has drawn in more clients, he added. Siriluck Sirithanasub, an experienced palmist and tarot reader at Siriluck Astrologer Room, said that in all kinds of economic conditions her clients' questions revolve around the same key areas: love; career and finance; health; family; and opponents or obstacles. For her, there are always people who succumb to anxiety, whether the overall economy is in a good or bad state. Fortune tellers offer them sympathetic ears and guidance, as well as a horoscope reading. Mrs Siriluck, who is married to Mr Thanawat, said people who visited her were from all walks of life, from small traders to high-ranking military officials. She believes that Angelina Jolie once visited her without identifying herself as a Hollywood superstar. Some businesspeople come to have their fortunes read almost every week. ''For many people, the more successful they are, the more insecure they feel,'' added Mrs Siriluck. During the past eight years, 30% of her clients have been foreigners. Between 65% and 70% of the clients are women. At Tha Chang pier, a busy tourist spot, Ms Siriluck and Mr Thanawat also offer English-language readings to international clients. Mrs Siriluck said some other fortune tellers in the area also speak English since they have a good opportunity to practise their skills by interacting with international tourists.
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