THAI to Raise Fuel Surcharges

U-Tapao Airport Scheduled for Upgrading

Google Translate Browser Bar Buttons for *52* Languages!

Float Thine Enemies! (Or a Problematic Girlfriend)

Oddities

Dasa Book Cafe Moves to New Location – But Just a Few Meters

Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary Dies, Age 72

Should Prostitution in Thailand Be Legalized? -- One Official Says “Yes”

Thailand to Have a New Airline

Chao Phraya River Delta Said to Be Sinking Quickly Due to Rising Seas and Land Sinking

Flavored-Cigarette Sales Ban Takes Effect in the U.S.

So, You Want to Live Forever? Just Stick Around 20 Years (or So)

Holders of Back-to-Back Tourist Visas But Who Actually Work in Thailand, Beware: Thai Authorities Are Cracking Down

An Idea for Thai Businesses to Advertise – Cheaply: Text Messages (SMS)
Washington Square News
For Folks in the U.S.: A Map Showing Percentages of Uninsured by Congessional District

THAI to Raise Fuel Surcharges

THAI International will be raising its fuel surcharges between US$1.50 and US$20.00 per flight sector effective October 1st, according to a story I read in the Bangkok Post early this month. You can read it at the URL below:

http://bangkokpost.com/business/aviation/23241/thai-to-hike-its-fuel-levy
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U-Tapao Airport Scheduled for Upgrading

In another story the same day, the Bangkok Post also reports that U-Tapao Airport, formerly a military airfield built by the U.S. During the Vietnam War, will be upgraded to handle passengers on a regular basis.

The Royal Thai Navy, which operates the airport, has planned an upgrade for years, but it is only now the budgert has been allocated and work started.

Thailand-watchers will recall that late last year, protesters took over and shut down both airports in Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, and that about 100,000 stranded international travelers were re-routed out of the Kingdom through U-Tapao.

Apparently that incident led the government to move swiftly to upgrade the air base.

At one time, U-Tapao boasted to longest runway in Southeast Asia, at 3,505 meters/10,844 feet.

While this upgrade, scheduled to be completed late next year, won't mean U-Tapao will replace Suvarnabhumi as Bangkok's main airport. That's partly because is 190 kilometers southeast of the capital, so not convenient. However, it's only a short distance from Pattaya, and some flights will go directly to the airport so passengers headed for the seaside resort won't have to travel two or three hours after coming out of Suvarnabhumi.
You can read the story at the URL below:

http://bangkokpost.com/business/aviation/23099/work-begins-on-u-tapao-upgrade


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Google Translate Browser Bar Buttons for *52* Languages!

Pretty impressive, huh?

This is really useful in two ways. First, let's say you're not very good reading English but want to explore a website that's written in English. You can use the button for your language – assuming it's one of the 52 offered, of course to translate everything into your language. Second, webmasters can embed code into their pages so that it can appear in other languages.

For details about those functions, go to the URL below:

http://translate.google.com/translate_tools?hl=en
Also, there's another function that I've found really handy. If you go to http://translate.google.com/ you'll see a dialogue box with two select-a-language boxes side by side directly below it. In addition to being able to use it in the same way you can use the translate button I mentioned above, you can type in whatever you want in your language then click the “Translate” button a bit further right, and what you typed in, say, English will appear in whatever target language you chose. One of my neighbors who speaks essentially no English sometimes comes by and I want to tell her something. I type it in, and presto! -- there it is in Thai!

I had another Thai friend, a bilingual one who can read English pretty well, check it out. I wrote a fairly high-level English paragraph, then had her read that FIRST – I.e., before translating it. Once I was sure she fully understood, I went ahead and clicked on the “Translate” button so she could read it in Thai. And she assured me the translation was very good. I can't read Thai at all, but she wanted to do the reverse, so she sat down and typed out something in Thai and translated it into English, and was more than happy with the result.

(There is one caveat: anyone formally studying a foreign language in school is plain cheating if he or she uses this to translate an assignment.)

Anyone can see all sorts of possibilities. Maybe you're working in a multilingual office and can't verbally communicate with a colleague but need to, and no one's around to interpret for you. Assuming what you want to say isn't so sensitive that there's absolutely zero margin of error. Google Translate could be a real lifesaver in any ordinary situation. It can even be used outdoors, if you have a cellphone, satellite phone, wi-fi computer with a connection available, etc.

I can even see applications in emergency situations, such as a paramedic trying to find out what's wrong with, say, an accident victim.

Okay, the universal translator the characters on “Star Trek” had available it isn't – but it's a significant step towards easing communications between people.

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Float Thine Enemies! (Or a Problematic Girlfriend)

Well – okay; not just yet.

But some scientists doing research for NASA, the U.S. Space agency, went one better than earlier researchers, who had levitated frogs and grasshoppers. NASA's team levitated mice.

Now before my American readers start moaning about wasted tax dollars, there is a serious purpose. With long space flights on the horizon to Mars and beyond, researchers want to learn the effects of prolonged exposure to micro-gravity. We already know that bone density is negatively affected.

Mice are much more like humans, biologically, than are frogs and grasshoppers – that's why they're used in medical trials, right? Therefore, if scientists can learn just what happens and why, then they have a chance to develop ways to counteract the effects.

The article I read (URL at the end of this story) didn't mention this, but I imagine this could have medical applications right here on Earth. In the past I've read speculative scientific articles that people with incurable heart problems might benefit from living on the Moon, which of course has a much weaker gravity than does Earth. The same may be true of people suffering degenerative bone diseases.

If this technology can be scaled up to handle people, and if it's safe, heart and bone patients might be greatly benefited – without having to go to the Moon.

Rookie astronauts might appreciate it, too. Currently, to experience weightlessness without going into space, they are taken up in a specially-equipped jet that climbs steeply to a very high altitude, then the pilots nose the jet into a steep dive rapidly, and for brief periods, passengers in the back experience weightlessness.

Such a jet is informally known, with little affection, as a “Vomit Comet” -- some rookies do vomit!

Imagine the amusement park possibilities. . . !

Meanwhile, let your imagination run wild thinking about how handy it would be to have a “levitating gun”! That big bully about to beat you half to death? -- no problem: just point your handy levitator at him and let him dangle in midair, helpless, until you deactivate the device (after you have an army surrounding you, of course). And when your girlfriend goes nuts because you gave her only one gazillion baht this month instead of ten gazillion and comes at you with a pair of sewing shears, intent on doing serious damage to a very, um, “delicate and personal” part of your anatomy . . . well, wouldn't a levitator be nice to have then???

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090909/sc_livescience/micelevitatedinlab;_ylt=Avmh38I82O5wLVsf4rwvEMciANEA;_ylu=X3oDMTE1cmRzYmFwBHBvcwMzBHNlYwN5bi1jaGFubmVsBHNsawNtaWNlbGV2aXRhdGU-

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Oddities

1. Both the world's shortest man and tallest man are both from the same part of Inner Mongolia in China. Saw this first on NHK TV, but you can read about this here:

http://laughingsquid.com/the-worlds-tallest-man-meets-the-worlds-shortest-man/

2. "Repentant man breeds 4,600 scorpions"

Just read the story. It's about Thailand.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090908/od_nm/us_scorpions_odd;_ylt=AgCSoG1dV_oMKAVofBAdwbHtiBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTJsZzhjbGV0BGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMDkwOTA4L3VzX3Njb3JwaW9uc19vZGQEcG9zAzgEc2VjA3luX2FydGljbGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNyZXBlbnRhbnRtYW4-

3. 107-year-old Malaysian Woman to Marry – for the 23rd Time!!!

Just read it, read it. . . .

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090914/od_afp/malaysiamarriageoffbeat;_ylt=ApRKmKpW5q5CVX9PyHdPkkEuQE4F;_ylu=X3oDMTE1aDRuY2RnBHBvcwMxBHNlYwN5bi1jaGFubmVsBHNsawMxMDcteWVhci1vbGQ-


4. A snake with a foot??? So the story claims.
Snake With Clawed Foot Found In China

5.For years there's been a story floating around that NASA spent US$12,000,000 to develop a pen that would write in the almost zero gravity in space. When someone at NASA mentioned it to the Russians, their reply was, “We just use pencils”!!!

Great story. Too bad it's an urban legend. A private U.S. Firm had developed the pen a few years earlier and had it on the market. Both NASA and the Russians paid US$6.00 apiece for them. Or that's one version. Another holds that the maker didn't develop the pen until the mid-1960's – but not at NASA's request.

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Dasa Book Cafe Moves to New Location – But Just a Few Meters

The excellent Dasa Book Cafe has moved a few meters east of its former location on Sukhumvit Road. I haven't had the chance to visit the new location yet, but the books are all second-hand and, therefore, cheap. And they have thousands of titles – over 14,000, in many languages.

I'll use one particular title as an example, since I want to recommend it anyway. That's an excellent, if controversial, biography of China's (in)famous Chairman Mao titled “MAO: The Unknown Story.” Yes, the capitals and italics are exactly as they appear on my copy.

I forget where I bought my copy – though I know I bought it new, so it wasn't at Dasa. Anyway, I paid 550 baht for it, and thought that price a real bargain, considering the book is just shy of a thousand pages long.

Dasa lists it for 350 baht, or upwards of 40% less.

Anyone interested in modern China will likely want to read this biography, which is both exhaustive and scathing. Well-written, it reads more like a good novel than a major examination of one of the most important figures of the 20th century.

To put it in a nutshell, Chang and Halliday not only don't give Mao credit for much of anything positive, but portray him pretty much as an evil, egomaniacal monster. With that, I have no argument. In fact, I might add another negative: insane, in some way.

For instance, one little particularly horrific little tidbit is that at one point, Mao wanted to provoke the U.S. Into invading China, and for the People's Liberation Army to retreat, allowing U.S. Forces to advance deep into the country. Was there a method to Mao's madness? Well, yes, in an Alice-in-Wonderland sense: at that point, he wanted the Soviets to launch a nuclear attack on those forces, wiping them out.

Even the Soviets were horrified, finding it impossible to believe that Mao could so blithely sacrifice untold number of his own citizens. (One estimate placed the possible number of dead Chinese in the 350-million range. And who knows how many ill and maimed ones.) Further, Mao conveniently ignored the fact the the Americans would certainly launch an all-out counterattack against the Soviets.

Where I question the book, to some degree, is in the assessment of other people around Mao, most notably Zhou Enlai, who is assessed to have been as bad as Mao himself.

Given Zhou's reputation, both at home and abroad, during his lifetime and since his death, I find that assessment extraordinary.

Zhou wasn't able to stop any of the terrible episodes during Mao's reign, such as the so-called “Great Leap Forward” or the “Cultural Revolution.” Yet many people believe Zhou mitigated some of the worst excesses of those events, and give evidence to back that up. Further, Mao himself saw Zhou as a dangerous (to Mao) rival, not an adoring lapdog. Chang and Halliday do say Mao saw Zhou as a dangerous rival, but they also say that Zhou was a willing servant.

The book was more than thoroughly researched, as well-demonstrated by the 150 pages of notes. Just notes. Further, it received wide critical acclaim. Further, the authors spent an entire decade of research. Chang is a noted writer, and a native of China – and she lived through the Cultural Revolution, briefly serving in the notorious Red Guards who terrorized the nation. And Halliday is an Asia scholar of great repute.

That said, much, much of the book is excellent, and beyond any reasonable dispute. It should be on the bookshelf of anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary China, including, by the way, the decades before the founding of the People's Republic of China, as it traces Mao's life – Mao was born in 1893, when China was still under dynastic imperial rule. (The utterly corrupt Qing dynasty wasn't overthrown until 1911.)

And anyone with a newfound interest in modern China could do far worse than this book, as one of its greatest strengths is helping outsiders get not only in the thinking of Mao and his fellow revolutionaries, but into the Chinese national psyche – better so than anything else I've ever read in over a quarter of a century reading about and watching China (several years from the inside, married to a Beijing native, by the way).

So, coming full circle to Dasa Book Cafe, hike right on down (even if you don't have the slightest interest in the biography) and poke around.

And tell them I sent you – they're nice people.

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Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary Dies, Age 72

This sure has been a rough year for celebrities, hasn't it?

No, this doesn't have one iota to do with Thailand. But I just want to note Travers' death because the trio hold a particularly important place in my life. Not only did they bring me to then-contemporary music when I was but a lad, but as I began to connect the dots between some of their songs and what was going on around me, the broadened my awareness of the world. And they helped stoke my interest in that world and the events going on in it.

While it's impossible for me to identify my favorite song they sang, I can say “If I Had a Hammer” undoubtedly electrified me the most. It still does.

No doubt I'm just one of millions of fans who mourn her passing. . . .

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Should Prostitution in Thailand Be Legalized? -- One Official Says “Yes”

The headline sure caused me to do a double-take. Yes, prostitution is widespread here. But a lot of people like to pretend it doesn't, and certainly in polite society one just doesn't talk about it in anything other than scandalized tones – if it's discussed at all.

Udon Thani Industrial Council chairman Prayoon Homewong's arguments are pretty standard ones, but it's still surprising to read of anyone openly calling for the legalizing of the flesh trade, especially someone in a responsible position.

I did a quick search for the Industrial Council in Udorn Thani, on both Google and Yahoo!, and got thousands of returns – and a quick glance at the first three or four pages of returns showed that nearly all of them were linked to a story about this politician's call.

What I haven't heard is anyone else clamoring to implement his idea.

Read the story if you wish at this link:

Udon Thani official calls for prostitution to be legalised
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Thailand to Have a New Airline

Read a story in the Bangkok Post headlined “Southern cities get air link ” of possible interest for those wishing to travel between Hat Yai and Phuket in the Kingdom's far south.

Happy Air will fly daily between the two cities starting October 26th.

The Phuket-based airline will fly two SAAB 330A's, which are twin-engined turboprops with seating for 34 passengers.

The story makes no mention of fares, but says the marketing and sales manager said the targe4t travelers will be tourist and business ones – I.e., a premium airline.

Maybe this will increase travel between Hat Yai and Phuket, as the flight will take just 40 minutes – compared to a seven-hour bus ride now.
It also will connect both cities with Langkawi, a resort island off Malaysia three times weekly, that service also to start in October. Actually, Langkawi is a large island in the Andaman Sea some 30 milometers offshor far northwestern Malaysia is is part of a group of 99 islands. It's about 100 kilometers north-northwest of better-known Penang.
The airport is on the southwest shore; flights to Kuala Lumpur are also available, and take about an hour. The Langkawi airport is around half an hour from the town center.

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Chao Phraya River Delta Said to Be Sinking Quickly Due to Rising Seas and Land Sinking


If you're among those who believe global warming is occuring, you won't be encouraged by an AFP story headlined “That sinking feeling: world's deltas subsiding, says study ” that mentions the Chao Phraya River Delta as one in the highest danger band from the twin effects of sinking land and rising seas. It reports a claim the delta has been sinking 50-150mm/year (about 2”-6”/year) over the past decade. It also says that even moderate long-term forecasts are painting an even gloomier picture than the UN presented in 2007, the result of taking into account melting of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.

Awhile back I saw a local expert on television talking about rising seas and the land subsiding around Bangkok generally, and he painted a grim picture. He claimed the coastline will be dramatically altered in just a decade or two, with waters creeping deep into parts of greater Bangkok.

I do know of one temple that just two decades ago was set well back from the high tide mark – but today that mark reaches beyond the temple inland, forcing the monks to build a floor some distance above the previous floor to avoid the water.
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Flavored-Cigarette Sales Ban Takes Effect in the U.S.
Here's a story to warm U.S. anti-smokers' hearts: “FDA ban on flavored cigs takes effect .”

So why would smokers outside the U.S. Care?
They won't – unless they plan on traveling to anywhere in the U.S. And like such cigarettes, because the law also prohibits the importing of them. Actually, the article is silent how individuals might be treated under this law, so I'm making a pretty big assumption, granted. But I'm willing to lay odds that if individuals currently aren't subject to the law, it will be amended to include them.

There is one exception: menthol cigarettes. But if you like, say, clove cigarettes – popular in Indonesia, among other places – then you're out of luck. Even if you can get away with taking clove and other flavored smokes into the country now, you won't be able to buy more when you exhaust your supply.

Though I smoke (regular filtered ciggies), I'm not complaining about this law. Though I don't keep a daily record, I've reduced my own smoking by upwards of a third, over time, and hope to reduce it much more or even quit, which I've tried to do, fruitlessly, before.
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So, You Want to Live Forever? Just Stick Around 20 Years (or So)
The story “Immortality 'only 20 years away'” in Britain's Telegraph newspaper reports that American scientist Ray Kurzweil is making that claim, that is.

On the one hand, such a claim seems ludicrous, at least at first blush. In any case, 20 years is a mighty short time span for such an accomplishment.

On the other hand, who knows what science might eventually bring? As Kurzweil points out, we already have available artificial pancreases, for instance. He goes as far as saying that nanobots will be developed to replace even our blood.

Let's say, for a moment, that he's on to something, and that sooner or later we can become immortal, or very long-lived anyway. This ignores a few fundamental questions (unless he addresses them and the newspaper didn't report it).

First, do we really want to live forever, or even “just,” say, a thousand years? My guess is some would say “yes,” while others would say “no.”

Second, do we even have the right to live so long? If we say “yes,” then that brings up the next question.

To wit: where are we going to put everyone??? Presumably, at least some people would continue to have children, and things could get terribly crowded.

Further, what social effects would be wrought – not least on religion?

Well, I'll leave those questions to the thinkers.
Meanwhile, I've got a pretty darned good idea what many of my friends would say: “HECK YEAH!!!”
One eternal party time!!!
Uh – maybe not: if I live forever, doesn't that mean I have to work forever??? :-( THAT prospect doesn't sound fun at all!
So, Squaronians and kindred spirits, better think twice before rushing to sign up. . . .

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Holders of Back-to-Back Tourist Visas But Who Actually Work in Thailand, Beware: Thai Authorities Are Cracking Down

While Thailand has been quite generous about visas and violation of visa terms over the years, the authorities have started cracking down.
First came the sharp cutback in visas issued upon arrival from 30 days to 15 days (though 30-day ones are still issued to those arriving by air).
Now they are cracking down on holders of 60-day tourist visas issued abroad by Thai embassies and consulates, as many foreigners do work here illegally.
It's unclear, at least from the story I read over at www.ThaiVisa.com, whether that crackdown extends to those who don't work but do live here yet can't obtain a yearly visa based on local employment, aren't married to or support a Thai national, or don't meet the minimum income level to qualify for a retirement visa, a rather high level.
If I learn anything further, I'll post it. Meanwhile, thanks to ThaiVisa.com, whose story you can read at this URL:
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Crackdown-Tourist-Visa-Applicat-t297046.html

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An Idea for Thai Businesses to Advertise – Cheaply: Text Messages (SMS)
Well, okay, for any business anywhere that has access to mobile phone service (and/or Tweet).
I've read quite a few articles about this recently, and while virtually all of them were U.S.-specific, I see no reason they can't work just about anywhere that has a decent hand-phone-equipped target customer base, and Thailand sure fits the bill on that point, considering that the cellphone market here is basically saturated.
From what I've read, this approach to marketing doesn't replace more traditional forms of advertising, nor is it meant to do so.
But consider a couple statistics I just read – again, from the U.S., but worth thinking about: 97% of text messages are opened, 83% of them within an hour. Reportedly, that far, far better than just about any other type of advertising.
The next bit I'm unsure of in the context of Thailand, for the simple reason I haven't the slightest notion whether the services I'm about to mention even exist here, as they do in the U.S. And, I presume, elsewhere.
One of the most interesting services is from companies that don't just blanket your target consumers all at once. Instead, they send your message when a potential customer is somewhere in your neighborhood. (Nothing I read said your message would be grouped with those from other advertisers in your neighborhood, but I would assume that to be the case, which might imply a lower response rate, though, again, I don't know.)
Other services have been around awhile for other channels, but now being applied to this type of advertising as well. For instances, targeting by postal code (a “zip code,” for my U.S. Readers!). Other demographic breakdowns are also available.
I'm thinking even tiny businesses could use this, especially those with regular customers as their main source of business. Take an independent restaurant here in Bangkok that's not much on the tourist path so depends on locals, whether they be Thais or resident foreigners (or maybe both). Owners and managers could ask those customers if they would like to receive an occasional SMS about some special or the other. Maybe an unexpected special, especially late in the day, so to speak? “XXX Restaurant will be giving a 10% discount on the daily lunch special tomorrow Noon-1:00 P.M. Only! Come by!” That sort of thing.
Of course, you wouldn't want to overdo it and bombard anyone. But that's true of any kind of advertising.
I do know of a couple of places that have already been doing this awhile, and it happens I know the bosses of both. I gather it has been one successful avenue for them to reach out to their customers. They both do get some tourists, but they also have large local customer groups, in percentage terms.
This isn't difficult or time-consuming. On my last phone, I had a message option of “Send to many,” and if I clicked that, all I had to do is troll through my phonebook, marking the recipients. Then I could write my message, click “Send,” and they all got it. My new phone is even easier. I can set up a group – customers, in this case – and click just that group – a single click – then proceed as I did before.
Also, it cost me precisely the same to send an SMS to one person as it did to 20 or 40 or however many. If my phone company, AIS, has a limit, I haven't reached it yet. Without getting into the technical details, it costs the company virtually nothing to handle SMS messages anyway, their whines and moans notwithstanding.
This kind of messeging is really catching on, and not just in the U.S. But I happen to know a statistic for the U.S. That underscores this: people there send – get ready for this – about 3.5 BILLION text messages – per DAY! In a country with a population of around 3.6 million.
That's a bunch of “blabbing,” as it were.

There are other variants of text-messenging. My service, for instance, allows me to send audio and video files as well, either by themselves or as part of a regular SMS.

Oh, almost forgot: for those businesses with a mix of customers, in terms of language, you can set up two groups, one for English, the other for Thai (in the case of here). Can't write Thai and don't have anyone to do it for you? -- Use www.translate.google.com – and read the story I wrote about it above. (You'll have to ask your phone company if you need two phones to do this, but, hey, phones are dirt-cheap these days.)
Naturally, I'm thinking in particular of my friends in Washington Square and the area most of all, but I can mention this to them directly.
And I haven't even talked about other possibilities, such as YouTube.com, Facebook.com, etc. . . .
All these social media sure have turned things upside-down. For instance, President Obama has a bit over a million followers on his Facebook page – and his wife has approaching half-a-million on hers, too. There are many public figures with huge numbers across various sites.

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Washington Square News

Actually, there's simply not much going on around the Square these days, which isn't surprising, really, given that we're still in the low season, which is pretty bad this year, given the ongoing global economic woes.

Though it appears the worst of the recession is over, I guess would-be tourists are opting for cheaper destinations or staying home altogether. As for business travelers, I don't know how many articles I've read about companies greatly paring their travel budgets, and even when they have to send executives off somewhere, they're sending them in considerably less grand style than previously was the case.

Actually, that there is no news of import is, in a way, good news, in that there haven't been any deaths, sicknesses, etc. Not that I have heard about anyway. It's true I've not been around the Square much the past 5-6 weeks, having gone there only about as many times during that time span. But had something of import happened, I would have heard about it either during one of my forays there or by phone.

No new places have opened – no surprise there – and no place has closed (which is good news for Squaronians).

I did go down later in the evening awhile last night, too late to see a lot of Squaronians, many of whom are daytime visitors. (Hey, if you hit the sack at sundown or shortly thereafter, gotta get your lick – and drinks! -- in early!!!) I did see “Jolly” Gene, an American I've not seen in quite awhile, despite the fact we're what you might call “vertical neighbors”: we live in the same building, me on the ground floor, him on, let's see, I think it's the sixth floor. Upstairs somewhere, anyway. He's a nice guy and has been around the Kingdom for years, over 20, as I recall. He was doing well, if already a bit, um, “festive” by the time I arrived. Sat with him, Phil (Silver Dollar night-time glad-hander), and another younger American whose name invariably escapes me. We had a pleasant hour or so just blabbing.

Went to Texas Lone Staar next, and while there weren't a lot of people there, it sure was lively. Lively enough that everyone was already involved with someone or the other, so I had little chance to do anything other than to greet a couple of people – specifically, “Cajun” Riley and “English” Paul, who were sitting together having a grand time of it.

Made my next port call at Wild Country, but I was the only customer, so I moved on quickly, stopping next at Cat's Meow. A gal who used to work there and whom I've not seen in quite awhile was there, so I sat and chatted with her for awhile. There was one other customer who was a one-man hit parade, as far as the ladies were concerned – he had been buying rounds for quite awhile before I arrived, and continued to do so, departing shortly before I did. Did chat briefly with him, and he said he had never been to the bar before – it's his first trip to Bangkok – and as he left, he remarked he'd likely not be back, as he had his Missus with him, awaiting him, impatiently, at the hotel – she called while he was there (and I overheard the conversation, which was pretty one-sided -- “Yes, Dear – what's that – yes, I'm leaving – wait a minute! I've got to pay my bill, Dear!” ;-)

Stopped by Square One, but didn't stay but a minute, as it was nering closing time and the ladies were about to shut shop. Decided to walk over to Queen's Park Plaza. Walked by a few places, popping into one or two, but it was fairly quiet around the whole place, so I came on home.

Haven't caught up with Burt lately, but we do talk on the phone a fair bit, so I know that he and his are fine.

It's coming up on 4:00 P.M. Saturday (September 26th), and I may go to the square a little while soon to see if I can catch up with any of the daytime crowd. If I do, and if there's anything to report, I'll add it here.
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For Folks in the U.S.: A Map Showing Percentages of Uninsured by Congessional District

As anyone who follows U.S. News knows, health care is THE talk of the nation at the moment.
NPR (National Public Radio) has put together a nifty map providing anyone interested with three tidbits of information for every congressional district: the name of your very own congresscritter, how many people under 65 don't have medical insurance, and how many under 16 don't (the latter two expressed as percentages).
Further, the map is customaizable. The above is the default setting. However, you can also view the map for the states. There are other choices on the right side of the map.

Also, the map is color-coded, whether you view it showing all the states or all the congressional districts. For once, it's an easy-to-understand code, involving only three shades of blue, each clearly different from the other two.

One perhaps unintended bit of info you can get from viewing the map as congressional districts: gerrymandering. Just take a look at the vastly different-sized districts, not to mention the sometimes-torturous boundaries that mark them!
Let me make something very clear: my placing the link to the map here is NOT meant to indicate my personal view either way; this is not the place for me to opine about such. Besides, opponents of change will find comfort in the map – but so will supporters. Perceptions matter immensely when we're dealing with statistics, something we too often forget, or at least I do, if I'm not careful about it. Anyway, here's the URL:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113042669

Read it and weep – or whoop – as suits you. :-) (Just don't forget to curse or congratulate YOUR congresscritter – again, as suits YOU!)
Note aside: My own state, Texas, “leads” the way, with 26.5% of the total under-65 population without insurance – whatever that means.

+++++

Enough for one go!!!

Mekhong Kurt

"The Rounds," Saturday, August 8, 2009

Happy Birthday to Her Majesty the Queen

Her Majesty the Queen celebrates her birthday this coming week, on Wednesday, August 12th.

Queen Sirikit was born in 1932.

As is true of His Majesty the King, Queen Sirikit has devoted most of her life to helping improve the lives of the people of Thailand, and has heavily involved herself in efforts towards that end.

National Mother's Day is observed on Her Majesty's birthday, which is fitting, considering she's considered "the Mother of the Nation."

Happy Birthday, Your Majesty

Long Live the Queen!

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In Traffic Jams, Law-Breakers Actually Help the Rest of Us

Just read an interesting article about some research some scientist in Europe have done involving the movement of large groups of people or vehicles in confined spaces.

To their surprise, they found that when there are people who ignore the rules of, say, a pedestrian crossing or traffic laws, jams are broken up before they even start.

Further research showed why: lone wolves forcing their way through coincidentally keep crods from forming in the first place -- they literally force individuals apart, thus preventing crowd-formation.

"So," you ask, "what in hell's that got to do with Thailand?" Reasonable question.

Your Honors, I submit: do not the highways and byways of the Kingdom remained miserably clogged with traffic, sometimes virtually 24/7? Have any of us who've spent any appreciable amount of time here managed to escape even a single episode of being stuck, practically hopelessly, for hours on end, perhaps in a heavy downpour (which aggravates the situation, of course, but that's true anywhere), perhaps on a bright, sunny day?

I doubt so.

On the other hand, most of us have seen the local versions of Mad Max of the Roadway Warriors, who think going 160kph [about 100mph] in a school zone is perfectly normal, which it most assuredly is not, even if it is 2:00 A.M. on a Sunday morning.

Going back to the research and transferring it to Thailand, perhaps the police can break up traffic jams by clearing a space for some Mad Max to go barreling through, with other Mad Maxes in the wings, ready to spring into action as the traffic begins to become unglued (sort of like the other drivers already are anyway!).

Well . . . one can dream, can't he???

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Some Quick Questions

There's a new restaurant on Sukhumvit Road between the Sukhumvit Road entrance to Washington Square (almost opposite Sukhumvit Soi 33, for those of you not so familiar with the area) and Sukhumvit Soi 22, close to the Square.

Have any of you tried it? If so, what did you think? What kind of Mexican food do they offer? Real Mexican food (Vera Cruz cuisine, for example)? California-style? Tex-Mex? Some combination thereof? If you've been to the Mexican restaurant across the road (diagonally across, that is), how do you compare the two, in terms of taste?

Does the restaurant have *Mexican* beer, such as Corona? How about Mexican tequila? If they do have Tequila, what label(s)?

And were you satisfied with the service?

Were the prices okay?

Using 5 stars to rate the place (the name escapes me), how do you rate it on taste, range of foods available, service, and price? One star is the lowest rank.

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A Late Happy Birthday to Khun Taffy!

Taffy's birthday was August 1st, and it was very well-attended. I completely forgot about it until late afternoon then rushed right straight there to wish him a Happy Birthday, and the bar (New Square One Pub, for those who don't know or have forgotten) was absolutely packed. The *only* place I could sit was behind one of the two video-game machines, and it was so busy, that after a few minutes, I left. Birthday Boy did appear to be having a grand time of it. I did go back later in the evening, but everyone had cleared out by then.

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Washington Square Bits & Pieces

While the Square is still sort of quiet, a few Squaronians have shown up of late.

"California" Dennis is based here in Bangkok these days -- has been several months -- and he's dropped around several times lately.

"Cajun" Riley came back to town, but he was off again earlier this week with the Missus to Louisiana, where she undoubtedly will drag him out onto the bayous to fish, something to which she's apparently taking a real liking.

Have seen "Scottish" Bruce, a.k.a. "Bruce the Laird," a few times of late, and he's well.

"English" Paul is hanging in here, and is doing just fine.

Nigel has been knocking around, and is his usual self.

Ditto Burma Richard, who continues working on his latest statue with which to shock the known universe! ;-)

James P. makes it by fairly regularly, and is doing quite well, including at his job, I'm happy to report.

I expect I may hear from Burt Nestle today (Saturday, August 8, 2009), as there's a VFW monthly meeting and he always stops by the Square afterwards.

Bear and his lovely Missus, Mam, were down earlier this week from their haunts in the wild of Isaan; it was the first time we had caught up in several weeks. Bear and I joined Mam at Coyote Mexican Restaurant, practically directly opposite the Sukhumvit Road entrance to Washington Square, and had a great visit.

By the way, Coyote is excellent, and though a bit more expensive than some other choices to eat Mexican food, is good value for money. If you like margaritas, they make great ones -- and you get two-for-one on their happy hour. There is another outlet of ther place on Convent Road, which may be more convenient to visit than the Sukhumvit one for some. Visit their website -- it's well done: http://www.coyotebangkok.com/home.html

(There's also a Coyote down Phuket way.)

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H1N1 Flu Update

According to today's news, the H1N1 flu virus continues to have only limited impact in Thailand, where well under 100 deaths from the virus have been confirmed so far.

Some medical professionals are warning that infections are spreading upcountry and that there could be an uptick in infections in urban centers later in the year.

On the other hand, both the government and the private sector have been rushing to prepare millions of doses of vaccine. Just a few days ago I saw something about companies saying they'll be able to provide considerably more doses this year than they had originally thought -- good news.

Even so, on top of last December's closure of Suvarnabhumi Airport by demonstrators and the riots in April, the virus sure isn't helping tourism arrivals, especially, say news reports, in the lucrative exhibitions and conventions sector. Some tourism authorities are said to be cautioning that tourism could take up to three years to fully recover, depending on how quickly the local economy recovers.

On the other hand, the same officials are reported to be saying there might by some visible improvement in general tourism in as soon as three months and in the exhibitions and conventions sector in about six months.

It seems to me from the countless news stories I've read or seen on television that the demonstrators have reached the conclusion that their actions did far more harm than good to the Kingdom and have toned down their rhetoric and behavior considerably -- good news for tourists.

That the ASEAN summit concluded successfully is one indication of this calming down.

There are some deals to be had now. For instance, I just looked up a special at the Grand Hyatt Erawon -- never stayed there, since it's above my pay grade! -- and it runs 5,280 baht/night, with advance booking; the charge is not refundable, has to be made online, and so on. Also, that doesn't include the 7.7% VAT and 10% service charge, which together increase the rate to THB6214.56/night, or roughly US$183.00.

For that level hotel, that's not bad.

The offer's available on the Hyatt website at http://www.hyatt.com (Explore the site for various deals.)

*Much* cheaper are places such as the Regency Park Hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 22, directly opposite the Soi 22 entrance to Washington Square. Just looked up a regular room for mid-September at http://www.agoda.com -- which I've never used, but have heard good things about -- and saw a single-occupany rate starting at just US$28.00, though the VAT and service charge still apply, so the actual out-of-pocket charge is about US$33.00. I have stayed in this hotel, and it's one of the best values I've ever found just about anywhere.

That rate is for an early bird special, so various conditions do apply. Still, you can hardly go wrong.

As for air fares, I understand from a pilot friend who flies between Australia and England there are some great deals from various points in Europe heading this way. And if you're a fan of Phuket, there are direct flights from Europe to there, too.

As for people coming from North America, let me make a suggestion: consider buying *two* tickets -- one domestic, the other trans-Pacific. I saw a fare between San Francisco and Austin (Texas) for well about US$180.00, and another fare from San Francisco to Bangkok for about US$675. That's not as good as some of the deals I've seen the past few weeks between North America and Europe, but, then, Thailand's a heck of a lot further! Plus, it's way cheaper on the ground here than just about anywhere in Europe.

If you have an international driver's license, and are comfortable driving on the left side of the road, you might consider renting a car while here; I've seen some great deals, especially for anyone renting a car at least a week.

Of course, you have to have nerves of steel to drive ANYwhere in Thailand -- or be nuts!!!

The usual tourist caveats apply. If that deal on a real, genuine, Burma ruby is just too good to be true -- you're right.

And be aware that some countries are cracking down on people trying to take back knock-off -- counterfeit -- goods, such as DVD's and "name-brand" clothes, both made in pirate facilities. I haven't talked to anyone who's been arrested, but I have talked to a few (a very few) who've had goods confiscated.

Some charges you won't be able to avoid, unless you just forego the activity entirely. For instance, many places that charge admission fees have two rates, one for Thais, another, much higher, one for foreigners. It's irksome, but there it is.

All in all, the low season is a good time for budget travelers to visit the Kingdom. Heck, for anyone, it's much cheaper now than during the high season, something even corporate types might want to consider in these financially-strapped days.

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Bangkok Airways Crash at Koh Samui

I suppose I should address this, since Koh Samui is one of Thailand's favorite tourist destinations, and since Bangkok Airways is a self-described "boutique airline." (Which means "budget airline.")

The plane skidded off the runway while the pilots were attempting to land in heavy rain in midafternoon. The aircraft was an ATR-72, a turboprop, that was configured to carry 70 passengers. I've flown on ATR-72's many times, and have always found them perfectly serviceable aircraft. Nothing luxurious, mind you -- but the luxury market isn't what they were designed for.

The report of the crash may catch the attention of travelers from North America in particular, as just yesterday I read a U.S. report that pilots at American Eagle, American Airline's regional subsidiary carrier, complained in a memo to management that the airline isn't addressing various safety issues -- ones involving pilots' flight schedule, not the aircraft they fly. However, given that the ATR-72 is in the American Eagle fleet, people may link the two stories.

As far as I know, Bangkok Airways has an excellent safety record; I don't recall hearing of one of their planes crashing before. They certainly have had excellent service the few times I've flown with them.

While I have no way to assess any aircraft, from what I've heard for years, the ATR-72 is just as safe as any comparable aircraft, if operated within its capabilities and properly maintained.

In the case of this crash, the pilot had a lots of experience, having flown for Bangkok Airways for some 19 years, the past 14 in ATR-72's. (Sadly, he apprently died in the crash, the sole fatality. The co-pilot and several others were injured, some very seriously.)

I have been aboard an ATR-72 landing in heavy weather, and my jaws did tense a bit. But they would have done so even had I been in an Airbus 380 or Boeing 747. But we always made it down safely, if a bit rattled.

As for the airport itself, well, I've never been to Koh Samui at all, so I don't know much about it. As I understand it, in an unusual arrangement, Bangkok Airways itself owns the airport there. If they take as good of care of it as they do their lounge -- yes! -- they have their own lounge! -- then I assume maintenance is good.

One point we need to keep in mind is the overall safety record of airlines generally, which provide just about the safest form of travel around. Sure, an airline crash makes big news, especially a major, spectacular one, such as the Air France flight that went down in the Atlantic earlier this year. And sure, certain airlines have had safety problems -- but those have nothing to do with *other* airlines.

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New Hours at U.K. Embassy from Monday, August 10, 2009

If something I saw on a forum at http://www.ThaiVisa.com is correct, the British embassy is altering its hours, though I just checked the embassy's website and see nothing there.

Here's what I read in the forum:

"With effect from 10 August, Consular public opening hours will be 8:00 - 11:00 hrs and 13:00 - 15:15 hrs on Monday to Thursday, on Friday 8:00 - 12:00 hrs."

For reference, here are the hours shown at the embassy's website:

Office hours (Local time):
Mon-Thurs: 08:00-12:00 / 12:45-16:30
Fri: 08:00-13:00

So, if the forum report is correct, the morning hours Monday-Thursday will decrease by an hour and the afternoon ones by 1-1/2 hours, while the Friday-only hours will increase by an hour.

Quite a cutback . . .

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Temporary Bail or Pay A Fine -- with a Credit Card!

Saw an article saying that after a nearly two-month trial run at a few courts around Bangkok, the government is set to expand a system through which defendants can post temporary bail or pay a fine simply by swiping their credit card through a machine in the court.

Under the old system, it was, as I understand it, a lengthy and complex matter to do either one using cash or surrendering, for instance, land deeds.

There's also talk of allowing people to pay a fine at a court other than the one that ordered it in the first place.

Apparently, anyone can post the bail or pay a fine for a defendant, not just the accused. (Try getting your girlfriend's platinum credit card that you gave her and pay for back from her. Good luck.)

Actually, there's nary a word in the story I read about foreigners, and my bet is that this system won't extend to us. Come to think of it, maybe we will be allowed to do so -- for a Thai national.

I wonder if jails will have credit card advertising signs after this system gets into full swing?

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Sale of Alcohol Near Schools and Universities To Be "Strictly Enforced from Next Firday, August 14, 2009

Or so says a story I saw in the online edition of The Nation.

A group of university lecturers have been pushing for stricter enforcement of the ban, which went into effect a good while back.

While I agree with the basic notion of keeping booze out of the hands of youngsters, or at least making it more difficult for, say, a 13-year-old to get a bottle of whatever, there are some problems with this law.

For one thing, if a university student is of legal drinking age and wants a beer with his noodles at lunch across the street from his university, he might well object to having to travel at least half a kilometer away (the no-sale zone) to get it.

For another thing, laws such as this have rarely been strictly enforced in the years I've been here, though there are periodic vows to do so.

Then there's the whole general attitude towards what some might considere relatively minor laws: some see them as mere suggestions, not actual laws. This is particularly evident in the case of traffic laws, which are widely ignored.

But getting back to alcohol laws, it seems to me another big problem with enforcement is the inconsistencies, sometimes actually built right into a particular law, such as those that exempt "entertainment zones" from certain restrictions. Others are widely ignored in back sois and sub-sois anyway, especially in places where the police have little reason to go.

I'll wish the lecturers well in their well-meaning efforts. 'Nuff said.

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Online Lotteries Ruled Legal

The Council of State has ruled that online lotteries are legal, paving the way for a long-delayed plan by Loxley, a local company, a Gtech, of the U.S., to implement such a scheme.

As I understand it, this will be a government lottery but implemented by private companies.

There has been much controversy over the years about gambling generally and the online lottery particularly.

However, as matters now stand, Thailand can only lose out to neighbors by restricting or barring gambling. Just about every country in this part of the world has some form of gambling. Even staid, communist Laos has casinos (some frequented by many Thais from nearby districts in Thailand, by the way).

It'll be interesting to see how this works out. . . .

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A Bit More Washington Square News

"Ba" Burt Nestle called me midafternoon, so I went to the Square to hook up with him at the Texas Lone Staar, which was about to serve its regular free Saturday midafternoon lunch.
I was rather surprised there weren't more people there -- not that there weren't some, but just not as many as I expected. After all, they do give a decent meal -- today, meat loaf, mixed vegetables, and mashed potatos with brown gravy (all of which I like a lot, but I had eaten shortly before leaving home, so I skipped it).

Besides me and Burt, let's see, Andy was there, and had been to see a mutual friend in hospital, another Squaronian, who has some medical difficulties. While Andy's report wasn't especially encouraging, neither was it especially discouraging. Because I don't have the ailing Squaronian's blessing to say anymore, I can't. (Been badly burned a few times over the years because of exactly that, so I've learned my lesson. This is simply far too public a venue to be advertising other people's business.)

A guy named Cian (sp? -- it's Irish, and we would probably spell it "Shaun" in English, but he chooses the ancestral spelling.) -- a former colleague of Kent C. Had a pleasant visit with him, though like me, he had no word about Kent, who recently relocated to the U.S. for his work.

"English" Desmond was there as well, and it's always a delight to see him. Didn't see him until he was leaving, so didn't visit with him, which I'll have to correct next time I see him.

"English" Tony and "American" Gene were also both there, though as was the case with Desmond, I didn't even see them until they were departing, so I didn't get a chance to visit with them either. But they both appeared to be fine, and traded waves with me on their way out.

"Aussie" York and "Don the Yank" were sitting outside blabbing away with some of the gals who were eating their own meal. Spoke to them in passing, and they seemed fine.

Then there were two or three guys I either didn't know, or know only by face.

From the Texxan, Burt and I made a brief foray up the way to Silver Dollar, where we visited a brief while before Burt decided he wanted to head out home. (No, Jan wasn't around; she's flown off somewhere in her job as an air hostess with THAI. I did catch her by phone the other day, and she said she's well.)

After Burt moved on out, I decided to stop by New Square One as my final courtesy call before coming on home. Taffy was there, and had a pot of rabbit stew. Can't remember the last time I had THAT -- but it sure was tasty, even though I wasn't hungry! Don't worry, kiddies -- it wasn't the Easter Bunny!

Big Tom was there, seated at the back bar, as is his wont. Had a chance to say hi to him, and he was okay, though he moved on out fairly quickly.

Taffy himself was there, seated opposite Bruce the Laird, and they both were well. In fact, the old Platters song "Only You" came on a CD, and Bruce sang along with it -- sang along with it surprisingly well. I hadn't know he has a rather nice voice.

Tutu, who used to work at Taffy's, is in town, though she wasn't there; she had fetched Josie, Taffy and Ray's daughter, yesterday, to take her with her to her (Tutu's) home. Taffy says she's well, as is her her American husband, Jim, though he's on assignment somewhere in Manila, not here. They're both really nice people, so I hope to get to see them, since Tutu plans to be around until sometime come October.

John Patteerson, who lives in the States but makes it out this way once in awhile, will have his birthday next Saturday. Meanwhile, he and his are off to the Dakota Territories on a holiday, according to a message I got from him.

Hm. More of a bit than I realized when I started. Well, now you know as well as I do!

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ENOUGH!!!

Mekhong Kurt

"The Rounds", July 12, 2009

All-Thailand Yellow Pages

A quick note to pass long the URL for an all-Thailand online Yellow Pages I ran across; the link is to the English version, but Thais have the option of choosing the Thai version in the upper-right corner of the page. I don't know how exhaustive or up-to-date this directory is, but given the difficulties of obtaining phone numbers here -- calling Directory Assistance can be a maddening exercise in utter futility -- ANYTHING'S gotta help:

http://www.yellowpages.co.th/en/


I found this at www.escapeartist.com, a site with which I was not previously familiar. The page where I got this Yellow Pages link has a lot of other telephone info from around the world, so let me give you that URL as well:


http://www.escapeartist.com/global/telephone.htm


Again, I don't know how current the over 700 directories the site claims to access are, but there it is for your perusal. Hope it helps.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 4:17 P.M.

Flat-Rate Primary Medical Care: A Good Idea?

Just read an interesting story online headlined "Seattle doctors try flat-rate no-limit primary care" over at www.reuters.com that set me thinking, given the raging debate in the US -- and concerns about soaring medical costs in many countries. (I hope the story link works; I had to manually type in the URL in a dialogue box, since a serious shortcoming of this blogging service is I can't copy-and-paste stuff. If it doesn't work and you want to read the story, try going to Reuters homepage and searching for the article using the headline.)

Sounds interesting. Customers pay a flat US$99 to join, then pay a monthly preium varying from US$39 to US$119, depending on just two straightforward factors: age, and level of service. No one is turned down for pre-existing conditions.

At the most basic level, this isn't very different from the concept behind Thailand's 30-baht health scheme, introduced by former (and deposed) PM Thaksin Shinawatra; as I understand it, it provides much the same, and maybe a bit more (though that's murky to me, as my Thai friends who've used it have had differing experiences).

One big difference, however, is that 30-baht program is doomed to bleed government coffers; at current exchange rates, 30 baht is just US$.90 -- yep, 90 cents, nowhere near enough to break even, not even here -- while the Seattle outfit expects to make a profit. Given that the story saises they've lined up about $7.5 million in venture capital, clearly some other folks feel the good doctors are on to something, too.

I suppose one possibility that would contribute to the bottom line is that there are patients who don't use, in terms of money, as much as they've paid. For instance, if a person on the US$119/plan got, say, a simple, common injection and that's it for the entire year, the clinic would be out the cost of the injection, salaries for a few minutes, and those more esoteric things accountants worry about (depreciation, etc.). Presumably, those expenses would be way lower than the US$1,428 the patient paid in over the year.

Thai readers out there -- and I know some are -- you might think about that, even if you love the 30-baht scheme. After all, it's doomed to bankruptcy sooner or later, unless tax revenues go through the roof, and you know the middle- and upper-class would fight *that* tooth-and-nail (especially since if you can read this, in English, and have a computer, you're almost certainly in one of those classes yourself, so you just KNOW I'm right!) Maybe your representatives would consider some plan whereby you pay -- to pull a number out of the air -- 15,000 baht a year for the top plan. (Hey, don't wince -- think what you blew on your BMW, and how much you pay for half a dozen bottles of Johnny Walker and brandy at your club every weekend! ) *I* darned sure would pay it, were it to be available to foreigners. Heck, I'd even pay a (*reasonable*) "foreigner tax" -- maybe another 10,000-15,000 baht/year.

Are the Seattle doctors nuts? I don't know; the economics of health care just seem to get murkier and murkier the more I read, in an apparently vain effort to educate myself a bit about the subject. I suppose if they can pay the bills and take home a decent income -- "decent income" in light of the many years they spent in medical school and the wheelbarrow loads of bucks they spent for the privilege -- then maybe it'll work.

If it does work, and the model spreads, it would benefit the rest of us. We wouldn't have to pay for people who rush to the emergency room for a hang nail, as now happens way too often. It might mean our taxes wouldn't go up so rapidly. (I reckon they're never gonna go *down.*) Better use of medical resources. No government involvement. No insurance companies.

Ah . . . insurance companies. Predictably, those that have addressed this development oppose it (surprise, surprise). According to the Reuters story, anyway. Just as I imagine carriers here in Thailand would oppose a parallel plan here, especially the heavyweights (which include, for instance, the global BUPA Blue Cross-Blue Shield).

The downside? Well, if you're away somewhere and need even just primary attention, unless you carry some back-up insurance, you'll be stuck with the entire bill. I know you can buy accident insurance if you fly (for example), but I don't know about regular medical coverage; never thought about it. And if such coverage is available, I don't know if it's available to people who aren't traveling on a plane, cruise ship, etc.

But I bet if this model catches fire, insurance companies will be quick to figure out policies designed just for people who choose to use clinics like the one in Seattle.

Take a look at the Qliance -- that's the Seattle clinic -- website if you're interested in a bit more information. (By the way, don't ask *me* to explain the weird name; I don't have the slightest idea!) I just now looked, after writing all the preceding materials; the site itself says the monthly premium varies from US$49 to US$79; don't know why the discrepancy with the Reuters story, since Reuters is almost always a reliable news source.

Anyone in the Seattle area use these folks? If so, I'd love to know your experiences and opinions.

Tuesday, 4:12 P.M., July 7, 2009

Novel Transports for Marines -- and Needed Ones for [Some] Squaronians!

Just read my second story of the day about Marines training with some fine, um, "special forces."



Namely, donkeys and mules. Don't blink like that -- DONKEYS and MULES. You read right the first time.


"Huh?" you incisively ask? Well, just settle in, and I'll tell you. (And I'll get to the bit about Squaronians in a bit.)



A donkey (also called an "ass,") is a member of the horse family, whereas a mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. On rare occasion, a female donkey crosses with a male horse; the result is a "hinny." But I guess it's essentially a mule, anyway.



We can began to see some obvious connections to Squaronians already, as some of us can sometimes be real asses, just as some of us can sometimes be mule-headed! (Calm down, Squaronians; I won't name names, except to identify myself as a regular instance of both, so SMILE! And put down that damn beer bottle, willya? . . .) But moving along . . .


Why on earth are Marines training with donkeys and mules? Well, as the war in Iraq winds down, the focus is shifting to Afghanistan, where donkeys, particularly, are a favorite, centuries old method of transport, because of the rugged lay of the land: lots and lots of rugged, soaring mountains. And both donkeys and mules are very, very good at negotiating treacherous mountains, even where there aren't paths.



The Marines will probably favor donkeys once they're dispatched to the theater of operations, largely for the simple economic consideration: according to the story, a good donkey costs only US$5.00 in Afghanistan. (The story didn't say how much mules command, but I assume it's substantially higher, enough so as not to be such a good deal, even though donkeys, which max out at around 400 pounds (around 180 kilos) can't carry as much as a mule, while mules weigh in in the 1,000-pound (roughly a tad over 450-kilo) range, so can carry larger, heavier loads than a donkey can.



This isn't the first time these beasts of burden have served the Marine Corps. One of the most fabled Marines in the history of the Corps was Sergeant Major Daniel Daly, who enlisted at the end of the 19th century and served a full career, taking part in combat action from China (the Boxer Rebellion), during which he received the Medal of Honor. Some 15 years later, ambushed by Haitian bandits as he was leading pack animals -- my sources don't say whether donkeys, mules, or both -- Sgt. Maj. Daly; his conduct in the ensuing battle earned him his second Medal of Honor -- making him one of only 19 men in the history of the American armed forces, all branches included, to be a double-recipient of the nation's highest military honor. No slouch (obviously), he also had a few other medals, including the Navy Cross (which for nonmilitary types is aolmost as big a deal as the Medal of Honor), a slew of others -- and three from the French government during World War I.



Well, let's switch from history to current affairs, and from combat in far-flung China, Haiti, and Europe to the more immediate environs of Washington Square.



Since donkeys and mules as strong and reliable, just imagine: with a trained stable of the beasts, stabled in the Square, of course, any Squaronian who had become, um, "rather too festive" to try to make his way home, even in a taxi, he could take a "donkey-taxi" or "mule-taxi" home. (Since many Squaronians know maybe three words of Thai -- which includes me -- when they're stone cold sober, words which of course disappear into the ether when they've merrily imbibed at length, and words which are useless for giving directions anyway.)



I can just see it now. I'll use me as an example, since I live near, which meekps it simple. Besides, by using me, I won't get beat up. Let's say I feel I've had a modest overage after downing three beers, a Jack-and-water -- and 28 Underbergs. A couple of the bar maids sigh once they figure out I'm wanting to head down Soi 22 home, so they come around to help me to the stable. But I dig in and demand another beer. That's the mule part.



A sixpack later, I really, truly think I have to go home. Well, maybe not think, exactly, mind you, but pure instinct kicks in.



So, the ever-patient lasses give it another go, this time succeeding in getting me to the stable, where they run into a problem as they decide to use a donkey -- but then have to figure out just who the ass is!



That properly sorted, they help me slither up on Mr. Burro -- another name for a donkey, for Yankees and other foreigners who don't know < ;-) >, and Mr. Donkey, having been down this road, literally, before, strikes out for my apartment. I, meanwhile, croon love songs to the night air, thrilling everyone who's trying to sleep with my rendition of "La Cucaracha." (La cucaracha! - La cucaracha! - Ya no puede caminar!) Which is apartiucularly appropriate ditty, at least that line, as "ya no puede caminar!" translates as "I can't walk already!" Our Thai hosts almost certainly won't know that, but never mind.



And my triumphant arrival back in my compound even brightens the night for the guards who sit outside the night through, not exactly the most thrilling job on the planet. (Which I know from experience, having worked on construction sites, for example, as a guard all night, on 12-hour shifts that often stretched out longer, when my relief got hung up in traffic. But I didn't have some foreign jackass riding up on a burro singing "La Cucaracha" to break the dull monotony.



Anyway, if the guards are properly appreciative of my one-man jackass show, I might even treat them to my rendition of "La Bamba"!!!



Hey! I just had a flash! We could have a second stable, this one at the airport, so donkeys could bring us to the Square after our sojourns an Spring Airline's barstool-equipped plane! Hmm. Wonder if I can figure out a way to tie an ice chest onto a donkey behind me. . . .



Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 12:55 A.M.

Travel Advisory: UDD Protestors Planning Birthday Party for Thaksin

The private pro-Thaksin Shinawatra group UDD is planning to hold a birthday party for the former prime minister on his 60th birthday at the Sanam Luang, which is located in front of the Grand Palace on Ratanakosin Island in the Chao Phraya River (a.k.a. "The River of Kings") and is one of Thailand's top tourist destinations. The oval-shaped area has been called "the nation's front yard," as it is the scene of many celebrations, such as for the birthdays of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen. Open to the public (normally), it is also a place where one can see activities such as traditional Thai kite flying.



The planned celebration is causing some disagreement, however, which could spell trouble. The government is saying the UDD can't celebrate there, as preparations for Her Majesty the Queen's birthday, which falls on August 12th (and which is also Mothers' Day here in Thailand, by the way), will be in full swing. The UDD is arguing this is discriminatory treatment and in fact is based on the government's dislike of the group, whose sole purpose for existing is to see Thaksin able to return to Thailand without having to serve any of the time to which he has been sentenced, in abstentia, or to face further charges arising from his tenure -- and, they hope, to return to public office.



Whatever the truth may be in that dispute, one fact is clear: preparations for the Queen's birthday indeed will be in full-bore mode (involving all of Sanam Luang). That leaves no room for other activities. (Thailand celebrates the Queen's and King's birthdays in truly grand style -- the celebrations are truly beautiful, and very nice.)



There is one consideration for would-be visitors: though it's not my purpose to assign blame, it's a matter of record that UDD gatherings over the past several months have sometimes been magnets for disorder and even some violence. Naturally, charges and counter-charges fly thick and fast, but that's of no concern to the holiday traveler (or business traveler looking for a spot of relaxation, "far from the madding crowd" [to steal from the book title penned by Thomas Hardy].



Chaos and the potential for violence are very much of concern, however. That's why I never go anywhere *near* such events, nor would I (I suspect) even were I Thai and very interested in such matters.



Thais on holiday in the capital on that date will have to make their own call on whether or not to steer clear of the venue should the UDD in fact go ahead with its planned birthday party for the deposed prime minister. This is their country, and they can darned well go if they wish, though if the party is on, I hope they don't have any trouble, whether they're politically interested or not.


As for foreigners, well, we don't really have a dog in this fight, except, to a degree, those foreigners doing business here, or living here, or who have some other long-term involvement with the Kingdom. But I feel that one and all, regardless of the nature of their connection with Thailand, steer way clear of not only Sanam Luang on the 26th, if the UDD bash goes ahead, but any such event. You're just asking for trouble. Look at the tens of thousands of travelers stuck at Suvarnabhumi Airport last year during demonstrations by the UDD (called the "Red Shirts," by the way, as that's the color shirt they wear, to distinguish themselves from another group opposing them that wears yellow shirts).



It's probable that a foreign onlooker doing no more than watching the scene unfold won't have any trouble beyond jostling in a crowd. But foreigners sticking their noses into the, um, "festivities" are bound to enrage *someone,* even if they're simply trying to keep, say, an armed demonstrator from attacking someone else. Want to carry a protest sign for one side or another? Ba-a-a-a-ad idea. A really bad idea. Again, that'll enrage someone or the other, bad enough as a generality (since an enraged person may bring harm your way). And hoisting a sign might displease the authorities, and given that we, as foreigners, have no rights except those the Thais choose to grant us, we can be in deep, deep dookey if we cause the police or military (or, worse still, both) to become unhappy.



SO -- if you're planning on being in Bangkok on the 26th and you want to visit the Grand Palace and environs, it would be an excellent idea to check to see if the UDD event is on or not first. If it is and you can switch to another day, that would be a most excellent course of action. If you're going to be in-and-out and have only that day to take the tour . . . well, I say "forget it." But if you insist on wading into the thick of things, you're well-advised to keep the lowest poosible profile and to keep very, very quiet. And remember: you go at your peril -- there have been a few deaths -- allegedly -- at past events. (No foreigners, not that I know of, but still . . .).



By the way, to emphasize the possibility of trouble, the Bangkok Post is running an informal survey from yeswterday through tomorrow asking if the UDD should throw the party; as of now, the results are split almost exactly 70% "No" and 30% "Yes"; that poll is reinforced by a more scientific one conducted by ABAC University that shows an 81% disapproval rate.



2:30 P.M., Same day: A few headlines have popped up, some reporting that Thaksin has told the UDD not to celebrate his birthday after all -- but he has reportedly asked them to avoid or stop something yet they gone ahead or continued, so, we'll see. Also, other reports say that some in government are criticizing (again) the UDD for seeking a Royal pardon for Thaksin. Anytime anyone mentions the royal Family or any member ofit, especially His Majesty the King, and anything remotely controversial in the same breath, eyebrows shoot up. His Majesty, much beloved of the people (including a lot of us foreigners), is regarded as the leading moral authority of the Kingdom by far, and as such, miles above any sordid political fray. The UDD is playing with fire on that, in my and about a gazillion other observers' collective opinion, even among some observers otherwise sympathetic to UDD goals.



Call the current situation a "Yellow Alert," to borrow from the US' Department of Homeland Security M&M alert system. If matters ratchet up -- let's switch to the US military lingo -- I'd say DEFCON 4, which is, essentially, "lock-and-load" status, or very high alert. That means you, anyone planning on being here then and wanting to frolic around the vicinity involved.



Thursday, July 9, 2009, 1:04 P.M.

Memorial Party for the Late George Pipas Thursday, July 23, 2009

Damn. It's hard to realize that we're almost at the one-year mark since George was so rude as to leave us.

But here we are, come just 11 more days.

Anyway, George's beloved Mary Ann wants to commemorate the occasion in the way George would appreciate, i.e., a bash in his honor and memory Thursday, July 23rd at the Texas Lone Staar.

Haven't spoken with Mary Ann directy myself, but Paul told me about it yesterday. He didn't know the exact kick-off time then, but if this goes as things usually do, I suppose it'll start midafternoon -- three-ish, say.

Mary Ann inexiplicably had the cape buffalo head that was mounted above George's seat taken down and stored in his bedroom at their house here in Bangkok, but we're going to try to convince Mary Ann to have the driver mount it again, preferably for good, but at least that day.

After all, the thing is forever a symbol of George himself!

Check back here if you either live here and want to come, or if you're planning on visiting around then and want to drop by and hoist one in memory of The Old Boy.

Burt will try to say a few words, though of course he'll get all choked up and be unable to continue. Various of us are trying to get in touch with Ken "Montana" Sevenski to do likewise, as he's quite articulate even when he's *also* completely awash. (With too much, um, "special tea" -- he drinks tea and vodka. Hey, don't look so aghast -- it's actually pretty darned good!) I'm sure Bear will offer a phrase or two, if he's around (and I imagine he'll make it a point to be here) -- he's got either a silver or forked tongue, depending on one's point of view.

George really is missed. Khun Oi, one of his oldest employees with approaching a quarter of a century of service, overhead us talking about the party, and she got all quietly teary-eyed. Whether you loved him or hated him, you damned sure won't forget him, will you???

And with that, I think I'll go live and call it a day. . . .

Sunday, July 12, 2009, 9:10 A.M.

"The Rounds," July 4, 2009

Well, it's been a good long while since I wrote anything, so I thought I would.

SPRING AIRLINES: FOUNDED WITH SQUARONIANS IN MIND

First up is a story about a domestic low-fare airline in mainland China, Spring Airlines.

Now, you my quite reasonably ask, "I'm wanting to read about THAILAND, or at least BANGKOK, not China! What gives???"

Well, I just ran across a story online headlined "'Barstool seating' on a Chinese airline?" Talk about a natural for Washington Square and Squaronians!

You see, it's obvious that one of two things has happened, or perhaps the two did: (1.) Squaronians fame continues to spread far and wide, or, (2.) Some Squaronian slipped up behind the Bamboo Curtain and consulted on cabin design on the airline's sole type of aircraft, the Airbus 320, or (3.) Both of the above.

Let me take these backwards, though I'll lump 2 and 3 together. I figure # 2 is HIGHLY unlikely because (1.) Squaronians are essentially a lazy lot, and, (2.) No self-respecting Squaronian wants to get that far away from the Square. (The airline is based in Shanghai.) Those automatically eliminate the third possibility I listed.

Elementary, my dear Watson.

So, that brings us back to # 1, which in a glimpse of the blindingly obvious I realized of course can be the One and Only True Explanation.

For those unfortunate amongst readers who've never had the glorious, epiphanic* (look it up!) experience of visiting Washington Square and getting to know The Squaronians, Squaronians are quite fond of their barstools. They may not actially sit on them very much, mind you; they may fling a leg atop one, or they may lean against it, and, once enough cups of their favorite libation has passed their lips, they may even, finally, sit on it (an act of quiet desperation, one implying the booze has won . . . again).

Spring Airlines is perfect for Squaronians. Well, the name may not be all that appropriate; no spring chickens around these parts, and few, if any, Squaronians have much in the way of spring left in their steps, and fewer still spring for everyone's bar tab. HOWSOMEVER -- were the airline to lay on a flight to Bangkok, one with an A-320 fitted out with barstools instead of boring old airline seats, I bet every flight would be full. Of Squaronians (and wannabes, who are legion). And I guarantee the flights would be full if also (1.) they didn't go anywhere -- just circled Bangkok a few hours, (2.) the airline provided helicopter transfers between the airport and Washington Square (well, okay, to the helipad atop the bank building on the corner of Sukhumvit Road and Sukhumvit Soi 33, diagonally across the street from the front gate of the Square), and (3.) provided free booze (instead of being the cheap charlies they presently are).

Don't know quite how a seatbelt works on a barstool. Maybe they'll put a chrome pole on sliders (explanation in a minute) that can lock in place beside the barstool, and the Squaronian can strap in with the seatbelt attached to the pole and his barstool. (All Squaronians are men; the women belong to the "Suffering Squaronians' Wives Club.")

Before I forget, a word about the bit about chrome poles on sliders. Chrome poles are best known around here as being physical support systems for bored a-go-go dancers who all specialize in that exciting dance, "Shuffling-While-Chewing-Gum-and-Looking-Bored-Out-of-My-Mind."

On any Dragon Land-Bangkok flight, the cabin crew would all have to be young, beautiful, enthusiastic Chinese Dolls who love to dance (besides the aforementioned one, I mean; we can see that in thousands of places here without bothering with an airplane). While cruising altitude is reached -- 1,000 feet would be fine for us, since that's high enough to clear any buildings etc. around Bangkok, and low enough to reach take-off-your-seatbelt-altitude quickly so we can unbuckle ASAP and get the chrome poles locked into their primary position, a foot or two away from the barstool -- the chrome poles magically transforming from being seatbelt supports to their more historic purpose.

Then it's SHOWTIME, and the hostesses -- please, no katoeys ("lady-boys," or transsexuals, to the ignorant and uninformed ) hit the poles. Since their uniforms for this special flight are a-go-go outfits, they're good to go as soon as the "Fasten Seatbelt" signs go out. Of course, the plane will have to be overstaffed, by normal standards, since even a regular Airbus 320 (based on Phillipines Air's 320-200, version 1**) seats 144 in Economy and 12 in Business. Get rid of the worthless business and replace them with Economy seats, and the number goes up 168, from 156. Now, rip ALL the seats out and replace them with barstools and chrome poles. I reckon we can squeeze 190-200 guys aboard, with plenty of room for the ladies (the ones working; no lady passengers allowed on this flight). I reckon about 60 hostesses ought to be enough; they could take turns dancing and serving drinks -- shifts, if you will. (Hm, with that many hostesses, may have to cut the passenger number back some after all. Som nam na to those left-on-the-tarmac!) ("Som nam na" means "Tough, Buddy," in this context.)

Man oh man -- Spring Airlines ought to love us! Well, maybe not the trashed cabins and restrooms, but never mind minor details.

I just had another idea: these flights could be for members only! Of course, all bona fide Squaronians would have automatic (and free) lifetime membership. The wannabes and simply curious could pay, say, 2,000 baht per year into a General Fund for Squaronians when they're broke and thirsty. (Since everybody knows everybody's business, that wouldn't be hard to keep tabs -- no pun intended -- on! )

And the planes. Planes have to have names. No need to paint a name on each plane -- I envisage a small fleet of them -- since the nose could have one of those holders you slide a long, rectangular piece of plastic or metal into with whatever you want written on it, so the name can rotate from flight to flight. The inaugural flight could be named "The Rabbi," in honor, of course, of the lately (and deeply missed, no joke) George Pipas. And we can't forget people such as "Ba Burt [Burt Nestle]," "Papa Bear [Bear Hudson], "Taffy" and "The Warden" [both Taffy, which is enough ID on him!] . . . and then we come to Riley, who's difficult to nickname because there are so many possibilities: "Louisiana Riley," "Cajun Riley," "Bayou Riley," "Gumbo Riley," "Jambalaya Riley" orm "Mr. Lek" -- those all spring to mind. I might even graciously allow one to be named "Mekhong Kurt."

None of those boring Chinese names like "Beijing [Northern Capital]," "Tianjin [Heavenly River -- the Chinese name for the Milky Way], or my ex-wife's name, "Zhang Xia," which is pretty easy in Mandarin, but means a mouthful in English: "The red glow you see in the western sky on rare occasion after sunset." Well, okay, maybe some Mandarin names, such as "Mei Nu Chuan" -- "Beautiful Ladies Aboard"!!!

Too bad I can't embed the remarkable Susan Boyle's performance (runner-up in the recently concluded "Britain's Got Talent" -- Britain's version of "American Idol" -- contest) singing "I Dream the Dream." (The link takes you to the YouTube video of her performance -- and it's WELL worth watching. Boyle is extraordinary, as evidenced by the fact that the video is from April 11, 2009, but according to a video website tracking service (and this was maybe 3-4 weeks ago), globally, the video had been viewed in the range of -- are you ready for this -- over 200 million times! A few mninutes ago, I saw on YouTube alone the views are over 27 million. Among other things, it's a real humbler -- teaches us something about hubris, pride.

Anyway, Squaronians' airline dream is a bit less ambitious. . . .!!!

* Okay, Lazy Boy, I'll save you the trouble. An epiphany is "a moment of sudden and great revelation." If you don't know what "revelation" means, tough stuff. " "Epiphanic" is the adjective form of of "epiphany." What??? You don't remember what an adjective is? Don't you remember anything Miss Bertha Glottaferbenshein taught you in 8th-grade English? . . . . Oh, sorry; plumb forgot you got permanently expelled in 3rd grade for sitting fire to the teacher's hemline while she was at the blackboard with her back to the class. . . . Well, let's see. "Epiphany" is a noun -- the name of something. Like "bargirl." (I'll stick with easy words, one you recognize instantly.) Now, you can't say "She's sure one epiphanic bargirl," though she may lead you to an epiphany, but never mind that. But another adjective that does work here is "hot," as in "She sure is one hot bargirl!" (An adjective is a word describing a noun, but you probably figured that out already.)

** As a somewhat serious note aside, let me tell you that if you're flying somewhere and aren't familiar with the particular aircraft on that particular airline, Seat Guru does an excellent job of explaining cabin layouts on just about every aircraft flying commercially -- and includes pictures. It's broken down by airline first, then by type of aircraft. Take a look. When there are several variants of the same plane, such as a Boeing 747, which comes in several flavors, it helps to know that model number to be sure you'll get what you want when you book your flight (Boeing 747-300, Boeing 747-400, and so on). Class dismissed.

HAPPY BIRHDAY TO BURT & ME

Well, that's what Burt and Jan told me, anyway.

My birthday happens to fall on June 25th, and Burt's falls the next day, June 26th. For quite a few years now we've always linked up, together with his daughter, the lovely Khun Jan, and had a blast together.

This year was a wet blanket for me. My birthday fell on a Thursday. So, we were supposed to go out that evening -- unusually, since Jan's flight schedule (she's an air hostess -- hey, she can be Head Hostess for our Spring Airline flight!) is unpredictable and often is such that we have to shift to be sure to be able to include her in the festivities -- and stay out until past midnight, so as to celebraqte both birthdays in one go.

One Party Boy was absent: Yours Correspondent. As in "moi."

I woke up with a terrible case of Bangkok Belley the Monday before the birthday, and it flat knocked me out of commission. (More about that later.) I didn't even try to call, but just before midnight on the 25th, Jan called me. Explained my situation to her, wishing I could be there; she and Burt were at the Texas Lone staar. But I just wasn't up for it. But at least Burt and I got to exchange birthday greetings over the phone.

I haven't been debriefed on their debauchery yet, but once I am, I'll be sure to post the really juicy bits here -- and those of you who know Burt know there were some juicy bits to pass along!

"BANGKOK BELLY: A STUDY IN TRUE MISERY"

As I said, I woke up the Monday before my and Burt's birthdays sick as a dog. In fact, I wonder if I didn't have some kind of stomach or intestinal virus, especially since I hadn't eaten any street food in several days -- in fact, I had eaten only at home, and that was large cold-cut sandwishes and hot dogs, Also, I've had Bangkok Belly in the past, but never anywhere near as knock-me-on-my-but as this bout.

The first couple of days were the worst; I could barely walk, for pete's sake. Which made rushing to the hong nam -- restroom -- every 20-30 minutes a real thrill, groping my way down the hallway, clinging to the wall.

That went on for about three days, but even after that, I fell way short of 100%.

On the bright side, had circumstances been a little different, I finally could have achieved my star-dust dream of being an astronaut. You see, when I was plopped down on the commode and . . . ahem, "had the facilities fully engaged," I could have self-propelled myself into at least a sub-orbital flight! (Luckily, no retro rocket on the other end, my mouth -- no vomiting.)

On my birthday I actually felt a little better, as I should have, since I had spent the great majority of time the preceding three days in bed. Well, and in the restroom, where I dozed at times so I wouldn't have to shuffle up and down the hall every little bit. But I was afraid to push it, which turned out to be a good move on my part. . . .

. . . . because I relapsed Saturday night. Not as bad the second time around, but unpleasant enough. After another few days feeling rough, I began pulling out of it pretty good.

It's the wee hours of the 4th of July as I write this, and I'm basically okay. No, I am okay. But I'm still not pushing it; just hanging out at home and taking it easy.

To put this little episode in context, I've been here just over 15 years -- June 12th was my 15th anniversary in the Big Mango (As Christopher G. Moore calls Bangkok) -- and today (Saturday the 4th) is the THIRTEENTH day since I last was in Washington Square, a record absence, except for the four times I've been in the States visiting and the Sep, 1999-June, 2000 time frame, when I was shuttling back and forth between here and southern China.

I haven't even seen Soi 22 where my sub-soi connects to it. Heck, I've been out in the sub-soi only twice, to go to the 7-Eleven. Bends in the sub-soi plus the arrangement of its intersection with Soi 22 keep me from seeing Soi 22 from 7-Eleven. I wouldn't have gone even so far as 7-Eleven were lunch meat and bread available in one of the two mom-'n-pop shops in my compound. A lot of days I haven't gone outside my apartment at all -- shoot, never even put on clothes, except my undies, socks, and shower shoes I wear for house slippers. (I know, I know -- socks: weird. But the shoes are rubber, and my feet sweat quite a bit. That's not comfortable, plus it's slippery. So, I wear socks with them, just like I wear them with my strap-on sandals I wear when I go out into the streets.)

Somewhat to my pleasant surprise, I haven't had even a moment's feeling of cabin fever. Of course, when you're trying to hang on to the commode so you don't blast off into the bathroom ceiling, you have other things in mind than being cooped up. But I haven't been like that all the time, as I said earlier. Even on good days, I haven't felt any special urge to get out.

It's turned out, happily enough, that I'm okay fooling around on my computer, surfing the Internet; watching TV; reading; stuff like that. I even washed some dishes! (Shock, shock!)

I haven't been utterly alone. My maid and her girlfriend came over the afternoon of my birthday, not to maid-maid, but to see how I was doing, and to spend a bit of time with me on my birthday, knowing my plans with Burt and Jan were shot to hell. That night, they even persuaded me to drink some beer -- not much, mind you; tasted halfway like piss. (Unlike the one I had yesterday, the only other alcohol I've had since I was last in Washington Square. Yesterday's slaked right down and tasted great. But after the one big bottle, I could feel it -- tolerance goes quick. And that's okay, too.) Anyway, it was nice of them to come. Especially my maid, who lives way to hell and gone out in the distant, remote, not-so-easy-to-get-to outskirts, out in the jungle with the monkeys. Her friend lives right here in my compound.

So, I'm well on the way to full recovery; I reckon I'm 90-95% operational now.

Thank goodness.

Sure ain't in a hurry for another go around with the Bangkok Belly . . . or whatever it was!

WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

Well, I'm going to be pretty useless on this one, given my lengthy absence from the Square. I have talked with Burt several times, and Taffy called Thursday, so I haven't been completely incommunicado. Apparently everyone's doing okay; neither Taffy nor Burt reported anything at all, much less anything of a newsy (read: "gossipy!") nature.

I do know a few Squaronians who aren't around every day have been around. "English" Ken has been in town. So has Davey, from Phuket, who does manage to get up considerably more often than Ken does from England; after all, Phuket is a spot closer! Bear came down from the jungle on the outskirts of Surin midweek, and will be here through the 4th, anyway. As I said, Burt was in the Square on "our" birthday, and has been there a time or two other times during my absence. Nigel was around a day or two ago (or sometime this week, anyway). I think Taffy said Deano, the Qantas pilot, was in this week, though I don't know if he was outbound to London or back inbound to Sydney, which means I don't know when he might be back through -- when he's outbound, we know he'll be back in 2-3 days. But when he's on his way back to the Land of Funny Animals, no one knows. (Australia and Madagascar jointly hold the title for "Oddest Animals in the World.") Not even him, not for sure. I think Libya Dave is back off to fly around that Desert Paradise; Louisiana Riley has gone to work on his month-on/month off rotation (I think -- that was his plan last time I saw him just over two weeks ago, as I recall).

Will try to report more next time, by which time I expect I'll be popping into the Square again, if not every day from now on. I kinda like hanging out at home, sitting around in my undies, like a barbarian!

A Smile from an AIRLINE??? Air New Zealand "Pulls It Off" (So to Speak)

There hasn't been any good news for passengers from the airlines in . . . well, I forget just when.

Air New Zealand's marketing department must have geniuses aboard. They done a safety video -- you know, the video telling you to stow your carry-on luggage in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you, how to fasten and unfasten your seatbelt, telling you to obey instructions from crew members -- blah-blah-blah, all that stuff that bores us to tears and which we ignore after the first or second time we fly. Commercial, anyway. (I guess back seat in a fighter jet is a whole different cup of tea!)

But Air New Zealand has come up with a safety video that'll keep you riveted. Here are some sample headlines that will, um, "reveal" why:

--- "Bare essentials of safety" video leaves Air New Zealand uncovered

--- New Zealand airlines issues nude safety video

--- Air New Zealand flight attendents get naked

--- Air New Zealand staff bare all to get flyers' attention

--- This is your Captain streaking

--- Naked truth about flying: Air New Zealnd crew strip off to present "bare essentials of safety"

(I swiped these headlines from Google News.)

The video is hilarious, and makes us smile at ourselves when we realize they're fooling around with some of our, um, "more earthy" instincts. (Hubbette, that means sex, Honey; remember that?)

With headlines like the ones above -- they run into several hundred at Google News -- of course we're all primed for some sort of sneak peek. (I do wish professional journalists would learn the difference between the two words "peek" and "peak"! Just an English teacher's bitch . . .)

The atmosphere of the video is very light-hearted, with whimsical, light music tinkling in the background. The content is straightforward, not deviating from the essential points passengers need to know.

I fell for it, I don't mind saying. :-)

So, what's the draw, the attraction? You watch an ordinary safety video for, let's see, I think it's a Boeing 737-300. Life jacket. Oxygen mask -- put yours own before helping any children with you. Emergency lighting strips. That sort of things.

Several crew members are the cast, and they really *are* crew members, not actors. But the hook isn't clear until the very last scene, when the hostess, who has a large role in the video, turns her back to the camera and begins walking away towards the rear of the aircraft.

Look closely for her derriere once she gets far enough away for it to appear in the lowed edge of the view. ("Derriere" means "butt," si vous ne parlez pas francais -- "if you don't speak French.")

Every crew member/actor in the video is NEKKID!!! [naked, for non-native English speakers]. Yep, they're in their birthday suits. When the hostess walks away is the first time this is at all evident, as this is the first time you can get a visual clue: you can see her cheeks. As in tush cheeks, not face ones.

"But," you protest, "they have on their uniforms the entire video!!!"

Nope. Unh-unh. Ain't so.

The trick? -- body paint.

This isn't the first time the airline has used this approach; earlier, in a "Nothing to hide" advertisement, which promoted discount airfares the airline was offering, had the airline's chief executive and others making the pitch -- all in the buff. Except for body paint.

the current ad (and, I presume, the earlier one) is intended for Air New Zealand's domestic market, but someone posted it on the ever-dependable YouTube -- and it went viral, snagging over a million hits in very short order.

It's a really well-done feel-good ad. I've never flown Air New Zealand -- but if they compete on price next time I'm flying internationally to one of their destinations, you can sure bet I'll give them a try! Heck, I've been wanting to go to Australia and New Zealand both for years, and this gives me a little more excuse to do so. If you like the ad, maybe you too will consider flying on their airline.

Hop over the http://youtube.com and in the search box in the upper right, type in "air new zealand safety video" (the quotation marks aren't necessary in YouTube) and you'll get a list -- including some out-take bloopers that occurred while they were shooting this ad, hilarious in its own right.

From my perspective as a writer, it's darned nice to have something pleasant to write about any airline in these days of madness on airlines' part that drive US nuts in turn.

B the way -- I do believe the pilot's HAT isn't body paint, nor any other kind!

;-)

A LITTLE RELIEF AT THE PUMP FOR DRIVERS

Anyone out there driving in Thailand will be glad to know that effective today (Saturday, July 4th), the government's PTT petrol [gas, to my Yank compatriots] stations are cutting prices at the pump by 50 satang (that's 1/2 baht for those unfamiliar with Thailand's money).

The new prices will range from a low of 24.09 baht/lieter for B5 biodiesel 32.94/liter for 91 octane petrol [gas again, Yank, gas]. In U.S. terms, that works out to just a tad above US$2.60/US gallon at the low end to bit above US$3.56/US gallon at the high end.

While the story said other stations are expected to fall in line -- they always do -- it's silent on the price on LPG gas, which is increasingly popular here, at least here in Bangkok, where it's getting easier to fill up as more stations with the proper equipment come online (or existing stations add the equipment).

I'm sure drivers will appreciate the pump relief. Drivers who have to pay for the fuel, not company drivers, whose gas is provided, of course. The government hiked the excise tax back in April by a full two baht, so even this price cut leaves customers paying 1.50 baht/liter more than they were before the April hike.

Hm. Just dawned on me the only fuel I've used for nearly two weeks is "biofuel" energy from my food to power my walking!

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Enough for one go. . . .

Mekhong Kurt