tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61014512011981118942024-02-19T01:59:43.489-08:00American In Thailand: Memoirs of a Female FulbrightThis blog focuses on my comments and views about living in Thailand as a Fulbright Scholar. My goal is to acquire greater understanding personally as well as share my insights with others who might be interest in visiting or learning about the Thai way of lifeVandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-77598304331780022472008-11-25T18:36:00.000-08:002008-11-26T21:22:19.551-08:00Color Me Thailand<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);font-size:100%;" >Color plays a symbolic role in almost any culture in the world.<br /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">In Thailand, color plays an extremely important role. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:85%;" >Under Buddhists cosmology, days of the week are assigned different colors. With 98% of Thails being of this religion, colors take on added importance. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">They go to extremes wearing shirts of different colors on different days of the weak, shirts to represent which side of the political protesting they are. Not only do the colors voice support but there is often much symbolism in the colors.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102);">On Monday, the color is yellow. The masses wear yellow polo shirts emblazoned with the king's symbol. A nice polo shirt sales for about 80-150 baht or about $2- 5. The yellow shirt phenomena began in 2006 when the country celebrated the 60th anniversary of the King of Thailand's reign. The mass fashion state began to support the beloved monarch who was purportedly born on a Monday. Some companies even require their employees to don the very brightest of yellow shirts on Mondays. When you ask a yellow shirter why they are wearing yellow, they all respond the same: " We support the king."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);">The </span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);" class="mb"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >King Bhumibol Adulyadej</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);"> is now in his 80s. His loyal subjects pay attention to what he wears. A few years ago, he was hospitalized. When he checked out of the hospital on a Tuesday, he wore a pink blazer and a pink dress shirt. The country went crazy with sell outs of hot pink shirts almost everywhere. Why did the monarch wear pink and spark a new fashion tend? Well, once again the Buddhist cosmology is responsible. But many other tie-ins have been proffer to explain the importance of pink on Tuesdays.</span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);font-family:arial;" class="mb" ><span style="font-size:85%;">The color pink is the same as the color of piece of silk [rayon] ribbon used in the symbol for the ceremonial celebration for King’s 80th birthday. Also, pink is the color determined by astrologists and fortune-tellers for the year of the King’s birth. The color means that the King will have good health and will fully recover from his illness. </span></span><span class="mb" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);">Pink is the color of the Year of the Rabbit, the astrological year of the King’s birth</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);">. andPink is Tuesday’s symbolic color which is the day after Monday, the day of the week of the King’s birth. Wearing pink is alsoa way of wishing the King a long life. </span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);">Chulalongkorn University where I have been teaching also has adopted pink as its official color. So when I gave a talk to university deans on Tuesday, November 25th, what color did I wear? Of course I wore hot pink. Everyone commented and praised me on my good fashion sense. It was also interesting to note that among executives attending the the ceremony, the color of pink was toned down. But there certainly were a large number of pale pink shirts in the room.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);">The newest color is green in Thailand as the king and his countrymen tackle environmental issues. If the King shows up wearing a shirt of any particular color, then his very loyal subjects tend to also want to wear that color. While green has not caught on to the same degree that yellow and pink have taken hold, it never the less is presence. Slogans about Thailand focus on green and serenity. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);font-size:85%;" ><em style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;"></em></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);font-size:85%;" >More importantly, there is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Its purpose is to house a Buddha image carved from a solid piece of green jade. The emerald Buddha was brought from Vietian when the city was captured in 1778. King Rama I built the temple and enshrined the Emerald Buddha there as a symbol of Siam's regained nationhood. The temple does not house any monks. Rather, it is more like the personal chapel of the royal fami</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);">ly.</span><span class="mb" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">So what other colors are important?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Recently, memorial services were held for the King's sister who died in January. For three days of ceremonies which cost an estimated $11 million to hold, individuals throughout Thailand wore black or white out of respect. The King's sister did much good for the country. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, headed up more than 60 charities. . The ceremony took place at Sanam Luang, or Royal grounds, where Thai kings and royal family members have been cremated for the past two centuries. It was shown on all Thai stations. The funeral provides a show of pageantry, Brahmin and Buddhist ritual and Thai artistry not witnessed since the ceremonies after the death of the king's princess mother Srinagarinda in 1996. The funeral platform was built to resemble the mythical Mount Meru, the Hindu heaven. More than 200 artists worked on the platform for 7 months. Sixty soldiers carried theprincess' remains e on an ornate palanquin platform from the Grand Palace to the funeral area. At the time of the funeral, I was in Chiang Mai and everyone -- from the highest officials to the street cleaners-- wore black or white out of respect for the princess. </span></span><br /><span class="mb" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">Thai politics also are alive with color -- sometimes with ironic purpose. </span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">The protesters represent the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD). At the time of this posting, they are a sea of yellow at the airport in Bangkok. PAD has made many many people upset.<br /></span></span><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >PAD supporters wear yellow, the color symboically associated with the nation’s beloved constitutional monarch.</span><span class="mb" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"> Masses of them sit day after day listening to protest talks. Some are actually paid 500-800 baht to attend the rallies. This may not seem like much but the minimum wage in Bangkok is 205 baht a day! So this is actually pretty good pay for sitting and listening to talks. But now people are getting hurt.</span></span></span></span></span></p><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In Bangkok, many people I interact with on a daily basis, apologize to me for their actions. They are embarrassed by their actions. I have had young woman apologize to me in a Thai massage shop, a clerk in a store, the doorman at my apartment, the clerk at the 7-11. My heart goes out to these people. The majority of Thai people are generous and kind and wonderful.</span></span><br /></span><br /><p><span class="mb" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Now the anti-protestors favor the color red I can not find information on why they chose the color red except that it is a dominate color in the Thai flag. But red is their color of choice. I made the mistake of wearing a red jacket to a presentation and was reminded that it represented support for the current administration and asked if that is what I felt. So one must be careful on the choice of colors.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;" class="mb" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If you are tired of the whole ordeal and country infighting which many Thai citizens are turning to the color of white which represents serenity and peace. This is the color of choice for me. I pray for resolution of the in-fighting. This country is full of wonderful people. It's image is being tarnished by the few who want the conflict to stay alive. It is a pity IMHO</span></span></span></span></span><p><span class="mb" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">.</span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></p>Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-81840109262320963262008-11-24T08:44:00.000-08:002008-11-24T10:34:53.426-08:00Royal Chitralada Project<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglU70XrYBrgd33Mjy5rQbXmtZUqDWAhF90YYK28y-muhcjiBu5zYGuOVNi4-pzZotUXwexmn_TbBXDJEuEv_INR4_EIYg5TFnRy8tQKagVGb9SEm-wag33bzUwznXP4oMhIetHY5y2HUU/s1600-h/KingsFarm+049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglU70XrYBrgd33Mjy5rQbXmtZUqDWAhF90YYK28y-muhcjiBu5zYGuOVNi4-pzZotUXwexmn_TbBXDJEuEv_INR4_EIYg5TFnRy8tQKagVGb9SEm-wag33bzUwznXP4oMhIetHY5y2HUU/s200/KingsFarm+049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272293847251511410" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >When one thinks about a palace, well one conjures up images of beautiful palatial grounds, topiary, mazes and rose gardens, winding paths. But that's not the case for the King of Thailand. Many y</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >ears ago, </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >His Maje</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >st</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >y Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great(Rama IX)</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" > turned the Chitralada Villa, Dusit Palace (Bangkok) into an agricultural and self </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >sufficiency experimental farm.</span> So right in the middle of Bangkok behind beautifully adorned "traditional" gates sits a farm<span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >. We're talking cows and milking m</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >achines, </span>bees producing honey and literally <span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >"royal" beeswax, crops growing. </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HFUiLfbHTfbvA8zRN5kW6Y9X5kOsYCC7BwLESSo6fnqIOj_ZM3GgFLJr1JcupODYjo4-b3ZN23vR64N8cYdNXboQMZYOrHvcwLI9pi2inTd6UcEdIiZ1YKALcTxCR_DSn8dC9f0fnCk/s1600-h/KingsFarm+055.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HFUiLfbHTfbvA8zRN5kW6Y9X5kOsYCC7BwLESSo6fnqIOj_ZM3GgFLJr1JcupODYjo4-b3ZN23vR64N8cYdNXboQMZYOrHvcwLI9pi2inTd6UcEdIiZ1YKALcTxCR_DSn8dC9f0fnCk/s200/KingsFarm+055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272294137151606194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I learned all this on a recent </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" > outing recently with students from a Chulalongkorn Thai economics class. </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >Beloved by the people of Thailand and respected world wide, </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >their Majesties the King and Queen ar</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >e</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" > known for their generosity and support of the "common" people. </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >The King of Thailan</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >d, His Maje</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >sty Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great(Rama IX) is not</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" > only longest reigning one of the richest monarchs in history (He came to the throne in 1946) but he's also a farmer and a good one at that. </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />While agriculture today is an important component of the Thai economy (half of all Thais derive their income from agriculture</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >), at the time the King ascended to the throne, it was even more important. Today the per capita income of Thai citizens is about $8,000, this was not the case 50 years ago. </span>Agriculture dominated and incomes were low. The king launched the royal projects to serve as benchmarks and models of agricultural modernization.<br /><br />Through the years, the projects and experiments have changed due to economic needs and agriculture development. Thailand now focuses a "green and happy society." This is related to a type of economic develoopment called "Sufficiency Economy." This philosophy stressed t<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sLhUtoMp6dPIiDfNuWpX5pwbpI9mspRrQs3Z3V8z-23CbFACenKiDj-Yzo4ML2BM2QDywxxeVl8zYSP0zhIFsjIK9AEfeTFydVk1SQ0OV0TDhfRjYhqee9lzfrTm2y99pWhrIytvIXI/s1600-h/KingsFarm+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sLhUtoMp6dPIiDfNuWpX5pwbpI9mspRrQs3Z3V8z-23CbFACenKiDj-Yzo4ML2BM2QDywxxeVl8zYSP0zhIFsjIK9AEfeTFydVk1SQ0OV0TDhfRjYhqee9lzfrTm2y99pWhrIytvIXI/s200/KingsFarm+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272291973721384242" border="0" /></a>he middle path as the appropriate way to conduct and live life at all levels. Sufficiency means modernization but with due consideration to integrity, peace, quality, stability as well as sufficient protection from external and internal shocks.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Enough of the economics theory. On with the farm...</span><br /><br />The farm contains numerous experimental projects. Regarding milk, the fa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFQZDbRlqFYk8Xt5gYdZuTMp1TSKlG-74rK0S8Lx_qx-MKdgup9osugk4AuILFxrA3bScjz1f0EozmTEJ53uAjYhX5WLeeRs-AD0nYeiPrddupjBwfflzyqssz_TDZc6nCtAgXUz1el4/s1600-h/KingsFarm+047.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFQZDbRlqFYk8Xt5gYdZuTMp1TSKlG-74rK0S8Lx_qx-MKdgup9osugk4AuILFxrA3bScjz1f0EozmTEJ53uAjYhX5WLeeRs-AD0nYeiPrddupjBwfflzyqssz_TDZc6nCtAgXUz1el4/s200/KingsFarm+047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272292373205901138" border="0" /></a>rm produces fresh and dry milk as well as milk pellets (chalkie tasting). The King has long been interested in hydroponics (growing things without soil) and the farm shows various types of plants growing in unique media.<br /><br />My personal favorite project was the use of compressed rice husks to make fuel logs. Rather than throwing the husks away, they are tightly compressed into logs. The logs can be burned as they are or turned into a charcoal-like substance. The advantage of rice husk logs is that they burn cleaner and are less likely to lead to death as occurs with charcoal used in confined areas. While the process needs some refining, it's a neat use for an item that normally has been considered waste.<br /><br />I also found the process to make exotic papers extremely interesting. Plant fibers are placed in a big vat and turned into pulp. A mould and deckle (screen mesh on a wooden frame) catches the mushy fiber. As it dries it t<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48-MOg695w2Fm3QN05JTam5Q6WS6GcG-eLJgNpitLjm6Za9vVNJ1B_Fm3UsFORZSUh2ZRb-eyH79y3BAyIlI380ofYEfbPDHb4ZjYpRGHbNb3PQ10olC5oFLh98hoZd75Zq02O172eWA/s1600-h/KingsFarm+036.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48-MOg695w2Fm3QN05JTam5Q6WS6GcG-eLJgNpitLjm6Za9vVNJ1B_Fm3UsFORZSUh2ZRb-eyH79y3BAyIlI380ofYEfbPDHb4ZjYpRGHbNb3PQ10olC5oFLh98hoZd75Zq02O172eWA/s200/KingsFarm+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272293277861285762" border="0" /></a>urns into beautiful paper. The color and texture varies by the plant fibers used.<br /><br />Other semi-commercial projects include a cheese factory, rice mills, dried vegetable , juice and vegetable canning plants, alcohol factory, fish meal, mushroom culture, and beeswax-candle making plants. Biodiesel A total of 700 people work in the royal project area.Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-63243472101008530142008-11-03T21:21:00.000-08:002008-11-04T01:09:40.556-08:00Dog Shows in Thailand<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPtS0gnR9F2M3_lPKVDnBquYh0f84GWLj5CpepqP-LRT41Nyqt5lGlquh2G_20majWl_nEUytnnVaSTXBQhBUrhcsePWr-FBaH6g11x_bgExGnfnwjR6nEh7OgiGQBIFPkr-KILY9qhY/s1600-h/NorwichBIG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPtS0gnR9F2M3_lPKVDnBquYh0f84GWLj5CpepqP-LRT41Nyqt5lGlquh2G_20majWl_nEUytnnVaSTXBQhBUrhcsePWr-FBaH6g11x_bgExGnfnwjR6nEh7OgiGQBIFPkr-KILY9qhY/s200/NorwichBIG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264726369034140210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VpKIePrivcd2g4zLinKo6QAM2cH8O2h_MSYbnbM9uKikrSzAqLH4GsZTZ_PJV898MSrh-sukFP117U0Ai6pJkkpSJmwwIHF_ax-gohDlWfD5P7o7QQNPrr6XBQQGODxv9urGtoEkhqc/s1600-h/ShitSzuGroupWinner.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VpKIePrivcd2g4zLinKo6QAM2cH8O2h_MSYbnbM9uKikrSzAqLH4GsZTZ_PJV898MSrh-sukFP117U0Ai6pJkkpSJmwwIHF_ax-gohDlWfD5P7o7QQNPrr6XBQQGODxv9urGtoEkhqc/s200/ShitSzuGroupWinner.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264725735554934690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">One of life's pleasures are our canine companions. Their love is unconditional and the friendships they help us develop are long lasting. </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /><br />While dogs and dog shows are not a typical part of being a Fulbright scholar. They are an important part of my life. Through the sport of purebred dogs, I have made friends all over the world -- Australia, Brazil, France, Norway, Sweden, Germany, The Netherlands, Japan, Russia. As a licensed judge, I have judged dog shows in the U.S. and many of the countries listed above.<br /></div></div><br />Before arriving in Bangkok, a couple of people worried. "Isn't that the place they eat dogs?" "You're not taking a dog with you are you?" Well, I am here to say that I have yet to see someone eat a dog in Thailand. I have seen street dogs, beg for dog food. I've seen mannequin dogs (scotties and daschies) used in department store advertisings. I've seen well kept dogs in stores, keeping shop with their owner/managers. And I've seen and judged a dog show in Thailand.<br /><br />Before arriving in Bangkok, I contacted a few people I know in the U.S. who are from Thailand but also show dogs in the U.S. They graciously provided me with some names of other people in Thailand who enjoy the same obsession with dogs and dog shows as I do. My thinking was that it would be great fun to attend a dog show in Bangkok to meet people here and to compare the quality of dogs. It would also be a way to meet people in Thailand who are not part of the academic communicating I interact with routinely.<br /><br />As a judge, I also was interested in learning how large the shows are in Thailand and how they are operated. Thailand Kennel Club is a member of the <a title="Fédération Cynologique Internationale" href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/F%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration_Cynologique_Internationale">Fédération Cynologique Internationale</a> (FCI) and so the shows are conducted differently than in the U.S. Terriers include the same breeds as in the US AKC shows but also Cesky Terriers, Silky Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier and English Toy Terriers.<br /><br />I was very<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVEAdzPG4eJoYcStelNc9yYVBzT8DL-UCvPU8oyhkRxJK2ULib9UIHIGi_fhFFPTYPd_8UjoUrhLeIrzpLrkfk9GnMLkGhxsRu3dHsyMFJXnxqZR7i1gL6a4-YOzpsWCEjzuLKTmNFkE/s1600-h/Gift.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVEAdzPG4eJoYcStelNc9yYVBzT8DL-UCvPU8oyhkRxJK2ULib9UIHIGi_fhFFPTYPd_8UjoUrhLeIrzpLrkfk9GnMLkGhxsRu3dHsyMFJXnxqZR7i1gL6a4-YOzpsWCEjzuLKTmNFkE/s200/Gift.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264722078299510050" border="0" /></a> honored when I was asked to judge Terriers (Group 3) and Companion and Toy Dogs (Group 9) as well as Pomeranian specialty and Best Thai Bred Dog in Show. Held on September 27, the show I judged at was part of a three day cluster of shows. These shows are held under the auspices of the Kennel Club of Thailand but are put on by local breed clubs who rotating doing all the paperwork and arrangements for the shows. My hostess for the show was Bensri Chiayah, who breeds Pugs and also owns a West Highland White Terrier.<br /><br />The Thai Kennel Club granted me permission to judge all breeds in Group 9. The breeds included in this group include: Bichon Frise Bolognese, Boston Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Chihuahuas, Chinese Crested, Coton de Tulear, French Bulldog, Griffon Bruxellois, Havanese, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lowchen, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Papillon, Pekingese, Phalene, Poodles, Pug, Shih Tzu, Tibetan Spaniel and Tibetan Terrier.<br /><br />Sponsored by <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Beagle Club of Thailand, the working group the show was held at a shopping center</span></strong>Bangna Hall Central City Bangna, <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"> in Bangk</span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">ok on September 27, 2008.</span></strong> Bec<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4tCuK3ZL2t_gRZkZEvk8OaPOACU-K8R0v6vwramQm7_rx7HidyjF4-PwHhEakIa29VYjYBifB5YZEUzKvwW60u3BFtV16BezAC8Ihzzp6__rvi0-F-SigX4g16-x-8CRF3Ha_KSLedM/s1600-h/PomBestJuniorinShow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4tCuK3ZL2t_gRZkZEvk8OaPOACU-K8R0v6vwramQm7_rx7HidyjF4-PwHhEakIa29VYjYBifB5YZEUzKvwW60u3BFtV16BezAC8Ihzzp6__rvi0-F-SigX4g16-x-8CRF3Ha_KSLedM/s200/PomBestJuniorinShow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264724726640096306" border="0" /></a>ause the space is rather small, there were only a couple of rings. Therefore, we we had to take turn judging our breeds. On the panel was Mr. George Kostopoulos (Greece) who heads the judges committee in Greece, Dr.Passiri Nisalak (Thailand) and <strong><strong> </strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mr.Kari Jarvinen (Finland) , and Mr.R</span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">oberto Tesoro (Phillipines)</span></strong>. It was truly an international panel. While waiting for our turn to judge, we discussed everything from American elections to FCI politics to global business issues in Asia.<br /><br />One thing I have learned since being in Thailand is that nothing starts on time. Dog shows are no exception to t<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9P9ApcGlwbU08QYIn6DdAEY7m3YNgxYfN75SXQmHQhUWZpNyklJgmCK1u-REVqCMkecnuLZUKLby8satjndIEzrpaLW86elbQgNKwCpt0JYbrdfRX9VO6NCJcqF6CAejTklTKy0BtEI/s1600-h/BISPom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9P9ApcGlwbU08QYIn6DdAEY7m3YNgxYfN75SXQmHQhUWZpNyklJgmCK1u-REVqCMkecnuLZUKLby8satjndIEzrpaLW86elbQgNKwCpt0JYbrdfRX9VO6NCJcqF6CAejTklTKy0BtEI/s200/BISPom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264724280503494738" border="0" /></a>his rule. Scheduled to start at 1 p.m. I didn't begin judging until around 3 p.m. I began my judging for the day with the Pomeranian Speciality. While I did not get a catalog, I would estimate there were about 20-30 dogs entered in the specialty. This is equivalent to what a regional specialty might draw in the U.S. I was impressed by the quality of the dogs. They generally had the correct silhouette and moved truly. Dogs were also in excellent condition and presented well. Coats were nice and of correct texture. In the U.S. I am used to seeing both male and female handlers. However, there were very few female handlers. the dog that I gave the specialty to moved a little cleaner and true than it's nearest competitive. But on another day, it could possibility have been reversed. Both were of good type, proportions and silhouette.<br />I was also impressed by a younger dog that finished its Thai championship at the specialty. Really pretty type (a perfectly shaped powder puff) in silhouttee.<br /><br />I had to smile when one handler showed several dogs to me. Each time he did, two little boys sitting ringside would spring to life and clap wildly. While I never found out for sure, I am guessing they were clapping more for their grand dad than the puppy he was showing. But still it was a nice puppy.<br /><br />In the all breed show, there were not too many terriers. I gave the group to a lovely Norwich terrier (like<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ0ZhXhAIFu3YqkkwSnVU2OXUD_kR-WOhr70oZIneG8vq9IhPMbVs9wJGjAVZ5Ogo2y4d6CcPOr2xyyQh65sNGenVXEl_xMkbCOp7VFYDo2drMv24-pl2uRMJBpeDvBl5CzFmWdRIexA/s1600-h/BesTerrirBredbyr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ0ZhXhAIFu3YqkkwSnVU2OXUD_kR-WOhr70oZIneG8vq9IhPMbVs9wJGjAVZ5Ogo2y4d6CcPOr2xyyQh65sNGenVXEl_xMkbCOp7VFYDo2drMv24-pl2uRMJBpeDvBl5CzFmWdRIexA/s200/BesTerrirBredbyr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264725208240831522" border="0" /></a> the dog in the movie Best in Show). This one, I later learned, was an American bred championship and multiple all breed winner, Am. Th. Grand Champion Devondale's Master Marmot Phil. Bred by Lois and Anna Bellenger, it was co-owned by Saipin Puranabhandu, who has owned several top winning terriers in Thailands including a sealyham, kerry blue and now the norwich. The Norwich went on to win Best in Show honors under the Greek judge. Not bad picking for an American huh! There was a nice young bull terrier and staffordshire in the group of dogs as well. Alas, for me, there was no scottish terrier.<br /><br />In Group 9, the entry was much larger with papillon, pugs, Maltese, Shih Tzu, a poodle, chinese crested, Chihuahuas of both varieties. I was particularly impressed with the depth of quality of the pugs, a papillon was of exquisite type with beautiful butterfly-placed ears, Chihuahuas were a little more varied in quality and type. Shih Tzus which happen to be a breed I like a great deal were of nice quality as were the pugs. Great depth in the classes for pugs. The breed class made me work hard to decide which one I liked bested.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">While the dog show was not as large as those held in the U.S., the exhibitors were well trained, presented their dogs well and there was good quality among the dogs. I certainly would enjoy judging in Thailand again. Dogs bring out the best in people whether in the U.S. or Thailand.<br /><br /></span></strong>Khob Pra Khun Kha<br /><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span></strong><br /><span style=";font-family:'Angsana New';font-size:14;color:blue;" ><span style=";font-family:'Angsana New';font-size:14;" lang="TH"><span style=";font-family:'Angsana New';font-size:14;" lang="TH"><span style=";font-family:'Angsana New';font-size:14;color:black;" lang="TH"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong></strong></span></span></span></span></span>Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-11779459897667385892008-11-03T19:56:00.000-08:002008-11-03T21:20:36.077-08:00Siem Rep and Cambodia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTax6g9xAXwmYu2TYIcBV9OoXBtqjdrhLhvTrzKAB1KPzXz9G60PqedWGCurOBqeU8s2X6vj8cK5CBAdhU-QK0ZcigpFhm72SVJDhC5OHhkGixijvHyJzCzGwuShP43yFQMhtB8EfBQc/s1600-h/Cambodia+nosetonose+small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTax6g9xAXwmYu2TYIcBV9OoXBtqjdrhLhvTrzKAB1KPzXz9G60PqedWGCurOBqeU8s2X6vj8cK5CBAdhU-QK0ZcigpFhm72SVJDhC5OHhkGixijvHyJzCzGwuShP43yFQMhtB8EfBQc/s200/Cambodia+nosetonose+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264667452567872226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A short 30 minute flight from Bangkok is Siem Reap, Cambodia, home to ancient temples and world heritage sites. Needing a break from grading student midterm papers, I decided to treat myself to a three day visit to this "must see" area. It was well worth the journey and cost. After lunch, set out for Cambodia's amazing temple complex of Angkor Wat. Overnight at the Angkor Palace Resort & Spa.<br /><br />The airport is small but modern. Beautiful tropical plants, surround the terminal building. Customs only takes a few minutes with a $30 American fee for the visa. Dollars is the currency in favor in Cambodia. In fact cash machines pump out dollars rather than riels. The Cambodian riel is mainly <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAAfC-3k3ATAY6CxKX-1pUoWo_IRc2USc8mZyceBoxEeBeCmDYDCgMpULqvK7mPz1KqRNzK45Kqv8BIvqz1YsvIzD56d2j7wE9TArf8x2LMeEXqZzKDKKDvNR3vvfehigdK6LCnxD5Xw/s1600-h/Cambodia+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAAfC-3k3ATAY6CxKX-1pUoWo_IRc2USc8mZyceBoxEeBeCmDYDCgMpULqvK7mPz1KqRNzK45Kqv8BIvqz1YsvIzD56d2j7wE9TArf8x2LMeEXqZzKDKKDvNR3vvfehigdK6LCnxD5Xw/s200/Cambodia+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264667823528485922" border="0" /></a>used for buying local produce and other merchandise. The United States Dollar (USD) is known as Cambodia's unofficial second currency.<br /><br />Siem Reap literally translated means "Siamese defeated." In early history fights over the land and temples were prevalent. In past years, the empire of Angor included much of Th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KuRa7q3dLImB1OUk2fvUSUjy4I0BZambRCVurljf5h34ctQuEikhXaIqBo3-FKSoxgaCZVkRNqutqOZfTvqcvHQGzG_bUSBdEgQJBiwi3-x29uQvsBr57nZv-HNyaN8T2o6yV8pr2rw/s1600-h/CambodiasmallWall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KuRa7q3dLImB1OUk2fvUSUjy4I0BZambRCVurljf5h34ctQuEikhXaIqBo3-FKSoxgaCZVkRNqutqOZfTvqcvHQGzG_bUSBdEgQJBiwi3-x29uQvsBr57nZv-HNyaN8T2o6yV8pr2rw/s200/CambodiasmallWall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264665754293517202" border="0" /></a>ailand. Even today, the temples near the border are being fought over. But Siem Reap itself is safe with a small town look and feel to it. Many roads are dirt, with a red-yellow color. Getting there by plane cost about $200 from Bangkok. The alternative is a very long bus ride along the bumpy back country.<br /><br />My guide greets me just outside of customs holding a sign with my name on it. He says in somewhat broken English that our driver is waiting at the van. Here, as in many countries the job of tour guide is separate from the job of driver. Drivers typically do not speak English. I opted for a 4 star hotel and was not disappointed. The hotel lobby was beautiful with lovely carvings in local woood. My room was very spacious and overlooked the swimming pool. Definitely a nice treat -- particularly because there was nice little bakery inside the hotel with yummy cinnamon raisin buns.<br /><br />The ancient ruins of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom are north of town. But there are many many temples to explore in the area. In exploring the temples, there are beautiful carvings everywhere, snakes, lions, elephants adorn the ruins. Even the bridges crossing over streams, have carv<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe751lZ-WlJ4fkq4YxyC62m2XCm4fvceayoFBphZwbBW_Bq5ua8yLBZQrkiV5Vy-qJo0wjNx5TK0rGDqFp6U74C5VTZT6fJr1UexBDcTiXFvdaeX8Buy6NhznRSQHWWjaQ31PPKcDoiE/s1600-h/Cambodia+SmallRoot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe751lZ-WlJ4fkq4YxyC62m2XCm4fvceayoFBphZwbBW_Bq5ua8yLBZQrkiV5Vy-qJo0wjNx5TK0rGDqFp6U74C5VTZT6fJr1UexBDcTiXFvdaeX8Buy6NhznRSQHWWjaQ31PPKcDoiE/s200/Cambodia+SmallRoot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264666087676591074" border="0" /></a>ed railings with men pulling ropes, or serpents across the water.<br /><br />Angkor Wat is considered the world's largest religious building. There are moats surrounding the temple. Despite being left to rot in the jungle for many many centuries, the temples still bring to life in the "mind's eye" the wonders of the past. You can picture the craft person doing detailed carvings on the walls. If you look closely, you can see where one carving is not finished and you wonder if the person died or the project ran out of money.<br /><br />In some cases the temples have been patched to restore their structural integrity. According to one travel guide the process is anastylosis and was developed by the dutch. Put simply original materials are used to reconstruct that which has eroded or collapsed. Only when the original material can not be found, can other materials be used.<br /><br />The Temples all have inscriptions and tell stories about the people and the culture. One can follow along the sandstone walls, the story of a group making a pilgrimage, elephants being used to build a structure. There are exquisite depictions of dancers. On first glances they all appear to be the same, but then a closer look shows that they are different -- a hand raised, fingers bent forward or back, a slightly different costume. Visiting the temples demands stamina. There are lots and lots of tiny ancient stairs. It is also very hot and humid.<br /><br />One of the sad facts of visiting the ancient temples is that many of the figures were beheaded or damaged. During times of turmoil, the temples have been pilfered and robbed. As government change and religions dominate, the temples also have been d<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVdhDtyCb0UscaorE-ncF5dUeF0L-KXiRZuz-bHQBltYu7R2VaWSlabUC3DnNa2hsfJ_Piq9O8gngrEROvTVGhptdxQVZZkEk-DjW_MZSFIj0pfqjVVFOES5NDVmguW0hc7eSVXETmOs/s1600-h/Cambodia+021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVdhDtyCb0UscaorE-ncF5dUeF0L-KXiRZuz-bHQBltYu7R2VaWSlabUC3DnNa2hsfJ_Piq9O8gngrEROvTVGhptdxQVZZkEk-DjW_MZSFIj0pfqjVVFOES5NDVmguW0hc7eSVXETmOs/s200/Cambodia+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264666363301595426" border="0" /></a>amaged. Was very sad to see this damage. Now as world heritage sites, it is hopeful that preservation can take hold. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that is considered to have outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity.<br /><br /><br />In addition to the temples, I also visited a silk farm. Here individuals from the rural areas of Cambodia are taught the craft of silk weaving and dying. They serve voluntary apprenticeships for which they receive board and room. In exchange, they are taught to weave the silk, loom complex designs.<br /><br />It was fascinating to see the silk larvae. Apparently 30 percent of the silk larvae are allowed to develop and mature to restore the stock. The others still in the larvae are placed in the sun so the larvae die. The silk comes from these cocoons. At the silk farm, the guide tried to shock me by gobbling down a few silk worms. Yummy protein, he said. At this training center, only nature dyes are used on the silk. These dyes create a beautiful array of colors.<br /><br />I also visited a craft workshop which teaches young people (a large group of deaf) ancient crafts. These include intricate wood carving, stone work, painting, inlay work, and ceramics. Workers are paid a living wage and upon completion of their training, they may start their own craft business.<br /><br />Cambodia, while one of the poorest countries in the world economically, is rich in its cultural heritage. A visit is like stepping back in time. A time we must remember and must preserve.Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-34678944755379945542008-11-03T18:17:00.000-08:002008-11-03T19:56:21.125-08:00Botox Treatment in ThailandOne of the fastest growing business sectors in Thailand -- particularly in Bangkok and Phuket -- is medical tourism. Some centers are full service. They have tourist packages that pick you up at the airport, take you to a fine hotel. You have your face lift, recover under pampered care, see the local sites and are off again. You can get gastric bypass surgery, knee or hip replacements. etc. While with any medical procedure, you must verify the qualifications of the physicians and hospital. Cruising the internet, one finds that many individuals are trained in the U.S. or among the finest schools in Europe. U.S. as well as Thai board certifications are common.<br /><br />Having had a Botox treatment in the U.S. for the price of $600-$700, I decided I would try to get the procedure done in Thailand. One of the concerns in having Botox is ensuring that they are using botox rather than the generic alternatives produced in China. While the Chinese product is viable, it is also diluted and it takes twice as much to attain the same effect as Botox manufactured by Allergen.<br /><br />After checking various blogs that I have found have useful information, talking to students and personnel, I decided to visit an APEX Profound Beauty center. Centers are located at the Siam Center, Bumrangard Hospital and the Emporium. I chose the Emporium Center because I was told the founder who is board certified in the U.S. as a dermatologist and laser surgeon worked at this center.<br /><br />I did not have an appointment so I had to wait a bit. That was useful as I got to observe the types of people who come to the center. I struck up conversations with the staff and several consumers. There was an owner of a spa in Melbourne, Australia. She was here to get thermage treatments on stomach and get some help with what she insisted was a perpetual weight problem. IMO, she looked beautiful. There were several men getting treatments, one in his 30s seeking botox, another getting treatment for acne, another older businessman who in our discussions expressed he'd had various treatments in many countries but liked it here. He was back for thermage after two years. I was surprised how many men were there and how young some of the women were. Botox and facial treatments seem to be as routine in Thailand as getting a Thai massage --provided you have the baht. It seems as routine to them as getting a hair cut and color. Yes many men in Thailand dye their hair.<br /><br />Okay, now it was my turn. The assistant takes me into a consultant room. I indicate I would like a Botox treatment for the deep "professor" thought lines between my eyes and my growing number of frown lines. "Just a minute" she says. The physician, a lovely vibrant Thai woman in perhaps her 40s came in to talk with me. She suggest botox would help and said if I wished the full treatment to reduce the effects of aging and bags under my eyes (a family curse), then ideally she would recommend thermage and a fraxel laser resurfacing just around the eyes. This would last many years and mean I would not have to have surgery. <br /><br />Okay, the big issue, so how much would each treatment cost? I knew that Botox cost about $600-$800 in the U.S depending on the units used. I had researched thermage which varies in cost depending upon the amount of area of the face or body covered.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thermage</span> uses Capacitive Radiofrequency (CRF) technology to heat the skin's under layer and the web of collagen in the inner layer, causing tightening as well as new collagen growth. Local numbing cream and anesthesia is used particularly around sensitive areas such as eyes and mouth. Cost is between $1000 and $4000, average $2000.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Fraxel Laser Treatment</span> produces esurfaces the skin by removing damaged upper layers of skin until unaffected skin is revealed. It's a little like sanding your skin. It is used to resurface skin, get rid of tattoo's, acme scars and yes the ravages of aging. Local numbing cream is applied before the laser is used. The cost of laser skin resurfacing is $2,378. <br />Botox from a physician is around $600-$1200.<br /><br />Okay, without thinking about pain or anything else, I decided to for the works. The Thermage was 30,000 baht (about $850), the fraxel laser resurfacing was 10,000 baht special combination deal ( $294), and botox for laugh lines and forehead, frown lines was 12,000 baht ($352). So utilizing the services as a triple board certified dermatologist in Thailand resulted in saving at least half the cost of the same treatments in the U.S.<br /><br />Now about the treatments. Botox is botox. Even with some numbing cream, it stings. But the results are almost immediate and visible within 3 days. I had the Thermage the same day. In addition to numbing cream, I had local anesthesia. But it still hurt. I tried deep breathing; and they distracted me with rubbing my legs. But darn it hurt. It was like a being stung by a swarm of wasps. The area around one's eyes is sooo sensitive. So if you have pain aversion, this treatment is not for you (at least around the eyes which is suppose to be the most sensitive area). Had I done more research on the pain (wasp stings around the eyes), I might have been more prepared. But maybe it was good I had not. The good news is that the overhang on my upper eyelid seems a little less and the baggy under eye area a little tighter.<br />I'll let my American friends decide when I get home.<br /><br />I came back on Saturday for the fraxel laser resurfacing. Once again, numbing cream was applied and I waited 45 minutes for it to take effect. I was prepared for this time for it to hurt, but it really didn't. It felt like a dry skin brush going across the eye areas a few times briskly. Nothing more. <br /><br />I would recommend you bring a good concealer or sun glasses after this treatment. I went into the rest room and the area around my eyes was really, really red. Wow. It really surprised me. Now I know why she had me come back on Saturday so I would be a red eyed monster to teach my students. The area burnt a bit for about two areas. After applying some heavy duty concealer to the area around my eyes, I was good to go. The redness was gone by the next day. The area felt flaky and a bit rough for about 5 days but the physician had told me it would. I just kept some moisturizer on it and all was good.<br /><br />So would I do this again. I would definitely trust use this doctor and go to this facility. I had a nice long talk with the physician and plan to write about her as a entrepreneur for my book on Women Working. She was medically skilled and enterprisingly skilled as well. It was professional, sterile with very nice people. I'd definitely do the botox and the fraxel laser resurfacing. Luckily, you aren't suppose to need thermage for several years. So maybe, maybe by then I would do it again. But definitely not tomorrow.Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-70304853847126178402008-10-23T02:38:00.000-07:002008-10-25T08:27:56.666-07:00Bangkok glows at nightIt's a funny thing about cabs and Tuk Tuks in Bangkok. In the mornings they are everywhere. In the evenings, they are only around the night spots and the malls. Having stayed late at the Chulalongkorn University (I'm talking 7 p.m.), there were no cabs in site). So I decided to walk home. Good exercise. Lovely night without rain.<br /> <br />I like walking in Bangkok at night. It is sometimes cooler but more importantly, Bangkok is very different at night. It comes alive. It has a new personality at night. On the streets, small vendors set up shop. One has socks of various colors; another has sunglasses. There is a chocolate stand, tiny squares of lush chocolate, white and dark. School girls in their uniforms crowd around a vendor selling little "knock-off" Lesportsace bags. T-shirts in row after row adorn another stand. <br /><br />The evening restaurants pop out. Some are no more than roll-along carts like New York's hot dog vendors. Sidewalks that once were walkways, are informal restaurant. You can get corn on the cob cooked over charcoal, or nice bowls of noodles with various types of fish. Tables sprinkle the side walk with people talking, chatting. The stray dogs wander in and out of the tables hoping for a tasty morsel or two. There is the blind man with his boom box singing a beautiful song on a corner spot. His friend stands near. A pandhandler or two dot the street. "Please madame their eyes hopefully beg. <br /><br />One thing that is important as one walks around the streets is not to avoid people. It is okay to say no you do not want something but if they speak to you, you need to at least smile and acknowledge the person "Not today" They get very upset and shout at you if you don't do acknowledge them.<br /><br />You can buy cans of soda, potato chips, candy, sun glasses, watches. The massage ladies (reputable) sit outside their shops waving signs. Business has been slow due to the bad publicity Bangkok has received about political unrest. So the signs say "Massage only 149 Baht." Now that is a bargain. That's about $5. <br /><br />I pause by a park as a few people practice gentle movements of Tai Chi. So beautiful, so fluid. the parks are so beautiful with lush green grass, lovely fountains. I feel a moment of peace. As I near a small shrine. Women sit at their roadside stalls selling incense and small handmade flower wreaths to give thinks to the Gods. I take a moment and reflect and pause myself.<br /><br />Near the sky trains on the overwalks, young kids break dance. Never under-estimate a Thai young man because he is not as large as African Americans. These young guys are strong. Very strong. They can do the usual tricks. But they add a grace that is strictly Asian. Perhaps a martial arts influence is what makes it different. One young guy balances again and again on one hand. He holds the move longer than one might think possible and then rolls into a unique hip hop spin. <br /><br />People wait on the streets for a bus ride home. Advertisements on video billboards entertain them as they wait. Zooming up and down the streets are trucks of construction workers. The trucks remind me of cattle trucks with high side railings and cloth cover over the top. Males AND females ride in trucks, all dressed in the same color uniforms with hard hats of the same color on their head. The uniformity in attire reminds me of work crews from the country lock-up in the U.S. But that is not the case. These are the people who keep the city moving. It is cooler to do repairs in the evening hours. I see more women working construction in Thailand than I do in the U.S. and they don't just hold signs. They dig and work along side their male peers. <br /><br />The lights of the MBK center shine brightly as a beacon light. Finally, I am near the the last cross over bridge Okay good I am not lost. No problem I am almost home. The walk seems long because to cross ever major street, one must walk up two flights of stairs to take the overpass bridge and then down again. A mother with a small child sits with a cup and hopes from contributions for her family. I watch in amazement at his determination, as one man with very deformed legs such that he can not walk on them. Puts sandals on his hands and does a hand stand down the stairs from the sky train walkway. I promise myself that he will get a a donation from next time. I can not walk on my hands at all, let along go up and down steep steep stairs.<br /><br />Car horns blare at a night. Motorcycles whip in and out of the traffic. If really impatient, they even zoom past me on the side walk. Now that is scary to be walking along and all of sudden there is a motorcycle heading your way. the only negative is crossing streets. One must walk with determination across the street. Any hesitation and the car will zoom past you -- very close. Too close for comfortable for this slow walking American.<br /><br />Getting closer to my apartment, I cross over the river on the bridge. The lights are bright. Elephant heads stair down, carved into the pillars of the bridge. A stray dog walks by me taking the bridge to who knows where. A girl offers to take my packages. I think she is sincere but I do not know. I talk and chat with her but hold onto my own bags -- just in case.<br /><br />I look down at the canal from the bridge. At night. the water taxi is lite up and still runs its run, gliding down the glossy river. Carts are pushed up and down the sides of the roads with various food items. The vendors roll them to new and different spots if business is slow. Near the malls music booms out as various musical acts perform. <br /><br />As I pass the shop where I usually get a massage, they wave. "Tonight madame?" they ask. "No, maybe tomorrow." They are always hopeful about business. But it has been too slow. I stop at my favorite corner market to pick up some coke lite. The owner lady sits ironing. Every baht matters in Bangkok's small family businesses. Her son sits at a desk, ready to translate for the Americans who need help. His books are open. He hopes to be finish college and work as a translator. His English is quite good. He laughs at my silly jokes. Perhaps I need some potato chips too.<br /><br /><br />I like Bangkok at night. It is a different city than the Bangkok of the day.Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-3445009953580442652008-10-21T10:13:00.000-07:002008-10-23T02:37:08.770-07:00Becoming a Traditional Thail Beauty in One Hour or less
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<br /><img src="file:///F:/Vanda/8x10/_MG_0014%20+.jpg" alt="" />I've always liked to play dress up. I danced as a kid and loved wearing the hula costumes that swished, the calypso outfit with all the ruffles, the flowing modern dance out. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbDZERYx8jsPGCucmaN6ablKSH34p7i6m9ewot9PvolUs8cFTrAD25_H1sos94fB4QtsMiXpJEEzwUoXLBJfuC1_1oBcTf8ztp4k70paNigKJBR-CMuqlEZKHUNytgjZguPZ7Q-7JSVk/s1600-h/ThaiSmall3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbDZERYx8jsPGCucmaN6ablKSH34p7i6m9ewot9PvolUs8cFTrAD25_H1sos94fB4QtsMiXpJEEzwUoXLBJfuC1_1oBcTf8ztp4k70paNigKJBR-CMuqlEZKHUNytgjZguPZ7Q-7JSVk/s200/ThaiSmall3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260280390092473858" border="0" /></a>In an earlier life, I dressed up and participated in mountain man re enactments. I wore a traditional Shoshone Indian outfit, had a lean to I lived in, hair types with fox, hand beaded shoes with gorgeous red poppies on them and I could outshoot most guys with my black powder gun.
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<br />Now you might wonder that this has to do with Thailand. Not much except to say that I always like to dress up and try different things. So when the opportunity presented itself to have my picture taken wearing traditional Thai clothing, I thought it would a great fun memory photo to hang on my wall with my mountain woman picture, my dog show picture and other quirky things.
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<br />So We began with my hair. I have short brown-red hair which does not lend itself for exotic styling. My Thai boy-woman was extremely beautiful,long silky hair, long legs, pretty face, just a bit throaty voice. Hilariously funny. S/he first applied basic make up to focus on my eyes. We even attached false eyelashes. Then I got voluptuous read lips. Kissable I think. My hair which is cut short and symmetrical was pulled back. one bun and then another wiglet that matched the color nearly perfectly was filed on top. not one but two wiglets. It reminded te wiglet I wore in 1966 for the yearbook picture. Fortunately, this one was on straight. the 1966 wiglet was crooked and m hair was wilted.
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<br />Next we chose a color them. I said I wanted to be a red hot mama so red it was. We wrapped the silk material two or three times around. Tighter, tighter. Maybe a corset would have been better. Now I now why some Asian women have smaller breasts.They are wrapped to tight to grow. Next<a href="post-edit.g?blogID=6101451201198111894&postID=344500995358044265#" onclick="togglePostOptions(); return false">Post Options</a> it was the skirt which was also wrapped and then pleated in front Indian fashion, I got shiney cold bejewled belt to wear, Three big fake rings adorned my hands and gold bracelets were on my arms,
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fMlX0EBZe2CEWQfjpQFlgyGwA7J4k62M7c3a8s8XTmONvkpL1qcq0mWuldIGMhCnJqKB5a78zNXLGGCzDlXZUslKHymF-i4LoP3-VIEa37E_BSik_CllbPhdHBsBp43dusmpnd8M33Q/s1600-h/ThaiSmallHead.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fMlX0EBZe2CEWQfjpQFlgyGwA7J4k62M7c3a8s8XTmONvkpL1qcq0mWuldIGMhCnJqKB5a78zNXLGGCzDlXZUslKHymF-i4LoP3-VIEa37E_BSik_CllbPhdHBsBp43dusmpnd8M33Q/s200/ThaiSmallHead.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260279814003275490" border="0" /></a>
<br />Now the real challenge. They expected yours truly to walk in gold high heals. And to climb acorss a door war in a flowing skirt. Hah that one was alaught. I looked about as graceful as cowgirl with her foot stuck in a milk bucket. They too 15 poises. I had negotiated the price to 2000 baht or about ($60) and a CD of all the pictures. Hmm I bet I can talk my friend into a little photoshop fix to enhance my natural beauty.
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<br />Well, don't tell my students. I allowed them up negotiate me to four big 8 X 10 photos and 4 small ones I redressed and we picked the photographs agreeing on what I wanted right then and there. We agreed on cropping and of course a little botox for the side of my eyes. I wanted to be almost as pretty as the king of Thailand. The grace to walk in the shoes she walks in -- well that's isn't going to happen.
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<br />Of yes, I felt like what was her name May West stuffed in an outfit when I was asked to recline on a bench with my lacks outstretched. Luckily I got to hold a fan to hid what needed to be hidden. And I got to be a serious warrier in one shot. Don't mess with me and this sw<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TQcoleh1n72cGoTpD4XcqL-Dyrys70uwK_Kms4-4Ao-I6ryA9s35I5_3mEMe1boeC4Qdoe4ahgiY-cMbSQpN8yG5c1KLgcYsCxz4H31VOJ36HEwQkx6gHPQDszwr5VR-E4Y2PGw7xWQ/s1600-h/ThaiSmall5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TQcoleh1n72cGoTpD4XcqL-Dyrys70uwK_Kms4-4Ao-I6ryA9s35I5_3mEMe1boeC4Qdoe4ahgiY-cMbSQpN8yG5c1KLgcYsCxz4H31VOJ36HEwQkx6gHPQDszwr5VR-E4Y2PGw7xWQ/s200/ThaiSmall5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260280390936749218" border="0" /></a>ard.
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<br />The name of the place --and they do singles, couples, families and even normal pictures -- is Studio Thai Style on the third floor of MBK. Their only failure, is I still don't look like I am 30 years young.
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<br />My worse part is that they take the pictures out in front of their studio so all passer-bys can see how you look, watch the strategy and I assume want to do do the same thing. I had two elder gentlemen (cute handsome) walk by and then come back for a second look. They both gave <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOded-LA5uot8CpFTB4ygZG_998e9aV5DC4tgfEL4e33stnDfqQxRjOVhzZ_66BeJKml-OkVaBIWYlUzXIV_uZRauYWt89n7Ruszphv1GckYa8hva0pEWNGmSUiIz94JM95Qt3OB87ms/s1600-h/ThaiSmall4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOded-LA5uot8CpFTB4ygZG_998e9aV5DC4tgfEL4e33stnDfqQxRjOVhzZ_66BeJKml-OkVaBIWYlUzXIV_uZRauYWt89n7Ruszphv1GckYa8hva0pEWNGmSUiIz94JM95Qt3OB87ms/s200/ThaiSmall4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260279810301332050" border="0" /></a>me a thumbs up sign. I certainly hope it means the same thing in Thailand that it means in the U.S. I baited my fake eyelashes and flushed slightly with my Thai feather fan. I proper Thai girl would never talk to a Thai man first. A property introduction is even better.
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<br />Okay let's see if I can add some pictures. Well since I can't figure out how to add them I will have to forgot this. If anyone knows how to add the pictures, let me know. Insert isn't working.
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<br />So here of the grand results. We're taking votes on your favorites. I'm not sure how to do that but I guess put a comment by the picture
<br />Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-6629649492550701192008-10-03T22:58:00.000-07:002008-10-04T02:43:50.507-07:00Examination Day At Chula!As a professor for more than 25 years, I've given many examinations to undergraduates, graduates and PhD students. In courses imparting basic knowledge, examinations are, in my opinion, a necessary evil. With the exception of mastery learning, a test of any kind (workplace or classroom) is not useful unless it discriminates. It must discriminate in the classroom on the basis of knowledge acquisition, not gender, race, social-economic class, country of origin etc. <br /><br />Examinations can be in class rituals or take home, open book or closed book, a series of quizzes or a midterm and final, electronic or pen and paper, scheduled or unannounced. The format can be multiple-choice, short answers, essays, case-based, data driven, philosophical or fact based. The choices are pretty much left up to the instructor and her approach to instruction and learning. Class size, course type ( (survey, upper division, elective or required), type of program (undergraduate, graduate, PhD, Executive) are all factors ferreted into the professor's decision about the type of examination to give. Other factors include the professor's commitment to teaching, the time available to grade the examination, tenure status,availability of a grader instructional style and the importance of teaching evaluations also can have an impact on decisions.<br /> <br />In sum, as an American professor I am used to a great deal of freedom when it comes to examination design, administration content and timing (except the time of the final). I was surprised Wednesday to be greeted in the classroom I'd been assigned by a bow-tied gentleman who said he was my exam proctor. My first thought? What had I done that I was being proctored? (yes a little paranoid, I know). Was it because I was an American professor and didn't know how to do it the Thai way? Nah I thought. But then I learned differently.<br /><br />There were prescribed procedures for giving examinations at Chulalongkorn. Before my arrival, he had affixed numbers to each desk-chair in the room. Extra chairs had been pushed to the side. I had ordered 32 examinations and there were 32 numbered chairs. On the projector screen at the front of the class were the rules.<br />1. Books and all materials at the front of the class room<br />2. Sit in the seat assigned by your class number on the role<br />3. Take care of bodily needs BEFORE sitting down. No bathroom breaks allowed<br />4. Begin as soon as you sat down<br /><br />No students had been allowed in the classroom yet. He wanted to make sure I was satisfied with the way things were arranged. "Definitely", I said. "Most impressive." I thought to myself that they really take examinations seriously here. <br /><br />In typical professor style, I had rushed to the office to pick up the photocopied examinations right before class. I had been given a sealed envelop and asked to sign for the examinations. I did. In the classroom, I finally opened the enveloped. Affixed to the front of "my examinations" was a one page note describing the University's rules on examine taking and the penalty for cheating. "Wow, I said to myself this IS a big deal here."<br /><br />As the students arrived, he reiterated the rules about sitting in the right seat. He had a list of students with their chair numbers with him as he walked around. As the students moved into their seats, he gave them the eagle eye and a quick scan. I began to look too -- just to make sure no notes or anything. This was the first examination I had given in Thailand. <br /><br />As I stated the rule to not put their name on the examination (only student number), he updated his powerpoint slide for the overhead project. Hmm good idea I think. Then I don't have to reiterate things 10 times. He did the same when I fixed a couple of typos in a question. Up on the slide the information went.<br /><br />About 30 minutes into the examination, he grabs the list of students. One by one he stops by their desk and asks them to produce their student ideas with their pictures. One third of the way through, he stops at a student's desk. The young man said he has no identification with him. My proctor crinkles up his face. He asks again. Same response. No identification. The proctor comes back and tells me this is serious. He's calling the office. I tell him I know the young man is in the class but I don't know his name (embarrassing as it is, I haven't learned all their names and Thai names are long. But I know he is in the class, I say. The proctor leaves. I've called, he saying walking back in.<br /><br />He keeps checking IDs. One young woman says she has ID but it's in her backpack. He nods to me and I give permission for her to fetch it out of her pack. She does and all is well. There are no more problems checking IDs. My proctor still paces. "I'm going to check again with the office. They said they were coming," he states, a determined look on his face.<br /><br />Five minutes later, one of the administrators from the EBA program arrives with a list of students (and their pictures) in her hand. He motions to her and directs her to THE student. She confers with the proctor, finds the young man's name on her list of students. She looks twice at the student and nods. Whew, I say under my breathe. If the student wasn't anxious, I certainly was. I take a big sip of my cola lite to relax. While I am too far away to hear exactly what she says to the young man, it looks like a lecture to me. Out she goes, giving me a smile and wave.<br /><br />The examination proceeds with no more hitches. The proctor puts a big computerized countdown clock on the screen. Boy, if you are an anxious test taker like me, that should push you over the top. But the students seem unfazed. <br /><br />My proctor flashes one more rule on the screen as he tells students to leave their examinations on their chairs when they are finished. One by one they file out. The last three (some of my most vocal students in class) take the full three hours to do what I thought was a 2 hour examination. If you've got the time, why not use it?<br /><br />After they leave, he carefully collects the examinations in reverse numerical number (highest to lowest number). Showing pride in his job with his smile, he hands them to me and tells me it has been a pleasure working with me.<br /><br />After the examination, I sit and think for a few minutes. At first, I think that the Thai exam ritual is a bit silly, a bit over the top. But then I think better. I remember the few cheating situations I have experienced in my 25 years. While not many, they were time and anxiety producing for me. I gave those examinations myself. I had no second set of eyes watching with me. It felt really good having someone else there in the classroom with me to back me up. Darn right, I liked this process alot.<br /><br />I thought about my colleagues as well as myself and cheating. I thought part of the problem in the U.S. system and probably many places is that we DON'T take examinations serious enough. We assume they have read the rules on plagiarism. We assume they know the university's policy on cheating. We assume they know what cheating is. But do they? There isn't a course in topic (although I suspect there may be some street learning on how to cheat). <br /><br />But I now think that the Thai system is good. By enforcing a set ritual regarding testing, by restating the rules (e.g. coversheet on the test) and by having a proctor present, they signal everyone ( students, professor, administrators) that education and academic honesty are important. <br /><br />As a Fulbright scholar, my purpose in being in Thailand is to learn, to teach and to exchange. On this day, I learned some valuable lessons from my Thai colleagues.Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-3952165496348203412008-09-26T08:14:00.001-07:002008-09-26T09:25:41.774-07:00Getting Thai-style hairdo and other beauty servicesI have an exciting day on Saturday. I'm going to judge a dog show in Thailand (No they do not eat dogs). I want to look and feel my best. First impressions matter here as well as elsewhere. Before moving here from Seattle, I went through all my beauty rituals -- hair cut and color with David my stylist, pedicure, acrylic nails, brows waxed or as they say in Thailand "same same".<br /><br />Not now I've been here a while. The hair is getting long, it's curling in the heat. I'm beginning to look like a cave woman with bushy eyebrows. My feet need care -- particularly because in the heat, I'm not wearing hosiery. And, oh yes, the dreaded gray hair is lurking. I get my color codes from my stylist in Seattle. It reads like a secret code but I feel more secure. His email wishes me luck...What to do? Where to go.<br /><br />Since I walk to and from the Siam Center every day for one reason or another. I began my search at the upscale shop. I watch, I lurk. I remember the prices of the acyclic nails (more than the U.S.) I leave. I take the walk over to the other side of the street. here are lots of tiny fashionable boutiques and fun shops. Very trendy. Better prices. But perhaps a bit too trendy. I am not wearing the skin tight jeans of a 20 year old or a trendy mini skirt with mile long legs. I don't have a tiny body and head to go with it of a Thai beauty in her 20s. I don't want the spikes of my hair to stand straight up (Okay I considered it for a moment) Nah.<br /><br />Off to the MBK. MBK is a shopping center with hundreds of small enterprises including beauty shops. People shop there for basics, faux designer bags, tourist trinkets, food. It's big; it's fun; and usually cheaper. But it's lots of people with stylists standing in the shopping lanes "Take a look." "You come now." So maybe a little to crowded, too much "in and out" for me. What I do notice is there are jut as many Asian men getting their hair colored as women. Color, highlights, are for for everyone. <br />I final settle on the Siam Discovery Center, next to the Siam Center. There are two shops. Toni and Guy which I later learned is a chain and has special "European styling training." The only problem, the receptionist had blonde, really blond hair on top and dark hair below. And I remember the time I sent my husband Michael to get "highlights" in his hair and through miscommunication he came back with a bowl head of bleached blond on top and brown hair below. I don't speak Thai so this may be issue. My search continues...<br /><br />Tucked in a corner on the same floor, I find the Hair Decor. Not too busy but a good mix of people. I liked most of the stylists hair and except for aging queen who was negotiating to have orange hair and semi-Mohawk, I liked the look and feel. You name it is there. Cutting, styling and coloring one's hair like many things in Thailand is somewhat negotiable. The signs usually read 1500 baht and up for color, 1000 baht and up for highlights. 500 baht for a cut, 1500 baht and up for permanent, etc. After failing to get a total price at the nail salon. I decided to get an agreement on the full price BEFORE we started. <br /><br />We started at 1500 baht for color, 1500 baht for highlights plus a hair cut at 400 baht. I'm silent. Thai price I say. I'm silent. "Okay, Okay," he says, special price for you. A free haircut." I add up the price. It's about $92, more than I pay at home. "Too much. More than American prices." "We discuss that I have short hair so less to color and less to highlight. No movement on price. "The higher the price to the shop," I say,"the smaller tip to you." The price immediately drops. "We settle on 2500 baht total. We talk about color and highlights and that I want a "Thai updated look but not too Thai. After all, I am not 20 or 30 or 40.... Okay, we agree "This color base. Not too much, not too little on highlights. Just enough, "Markoki my stylist agrees. <br /><br />One advantage in Thailand is that there is usually no waiting and no appointments needed. The downside is that Thai service provides are slow and meticulous. Maroki applies the highlights. An assistant finishes up with the base color over the rest of the hair. This process takes a good hour or so. Shampooing is not just once, not twice but four times. But you get a great scalp massage as well. <br /><br />The haircut took about an hour. He was amazing. Being the daughter of a beautifican and showing dogs, scissoring techniques are curiously interesting to me. He held the scissor and cut in a very different way than I have seen used in the U.S. We talked about the differences in hair textures and how Thai hair feels different than Japanese or Korean or Indian hair and how American's hair was much easier to cut. And we are less demanding. <br /><br />An way the color was nice and just some nice highlights. It is a little more Burgundy than I've had but I asked for that. He was more than willing to match my stylist's original color specifications. If you are picky and want a certain hair dye it better be Wella or L'oreal because that's the only brands I could find in the shops I visited. I've been wearing an asymmetric style and he left it that way but shorter than usual. I love what my stylist in the states does but this was neat also. And he even took time to me how to use hair wax exactly right to "punch it up" a little when I want. <br /><br />I also got a pedicure for 300 baht or about $8 dollars. They don't rub your fee like they do at higher priced places but not the callouses are gone, the feet look fine. <br /><br />Would I go here again? Absolutely. Maroki was great. The next day several of my students (including some males) commented on my new Thai do. One student said I looked 3 years younger (I was hoping for at least 4.37865 years) but 3 years will. then again next week they have test and buttering up, well it never hurts. <br /><br />I have cool hair, nails and feet are god. I think Botox will be order soon...that too is suppose to be a bargain in Thailand. Let's hope I can find the real thing rather than the Chinese "faux" brand.Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-13403013416119119102008-09-17T18:08:00.001-07:002008-09-20T19:15:26.801-07:00Thai Names and how longgggg they are<span style="font-weight:bold;">Names names and more names <br />Origins of Thai names</span><br /><br />The issues with trying to get the bank to call me either Dr. Huber or Ms. Huber raised another issue in my mind. Particularly because I have difficulty taking roll in my classes. The last names.... They are sooooooo long. So I wondered why.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">So what is in a Thai name and why are they sooooo long?.</span><br />My research has uncovered that until the 20th century, Thais only went by one name, their given name. The country was small, localized and you generally associated with people from your local area. As a result, you only needed a given nane. Family? Everyone knew which family you belonged to. <br /><br />Around 1913, the Thai government passed a new law requiring that everyone have a unique last name. That's the "hitch" each family name had to be unique. it was not allowed to choose a name you liked -- unless it was a unique name. So there were no Jacbob "son" or John "son". The exception was that if the name was unique and was the first name. We can't have lots of Smiths unless it can be proven that the Smiths are all related. Nor do we have mac Donald to mean son of Donald. We have looooong last names.<br /><br />The new law partly came about because there were many immigrants into Thailand from other countries -- particularly China. To not stand out as a foreigner and to not be discriminated against, these immigrants wanted to have Thai last names or least hyphenated names indicating their heritage but their new beginnings in Thailand. The number of immigrants was particularly large from China. Therefore, a law was passed. The law is quite stringent. To make it easier on immigration authorities, the 1913 law required that only one family can use any given surname. So any two people with the same last name must be related. So in Thailand<br /><br />As a Fulbrighter scholar teaching at Chulalongkorn University, I checked my role of students. In my two large classes, there were no students with the same last name. There were similar last names and similar first names. however, all students had unique names. <br /><br />One interest variation is that some names have "Na" in them. This is particularly used when there is a relative that comes for nobility or royalty. So I do have some students who are related to royal. For example Panomwon Na Ayutthaya is the last name. Ayutthaya is a province in Thailand founded in 1350 by King U-Thong. So my student's family is either from the Provence of ayutthaya or a descendant of King U-Thong. I prefer to think he is related to the king.<br /><br />In terms of formal first name, we have more rules to follow and learn. Assuming a child lives more than 30 days, most families turn to the Monks to help with the naming. Used in the naming is<br />1> Thai astrology and the date of birth to form the name. The day begins at 6 a.m.<br />Using a process I don't understand, they consider based on the date the degree of honor,power, property, diligence, patron and misfortune. For males, letters in the word power have been popular while the letters in the word honor have been popular for women. The letters in Misfortune are avoided.<br />2. Named based on numerology. Each letter has a numerical value and you want to create a name high in value.<br />3. Naming based upon the traditional Thai calendar is the best way according to fortune tellers for anticipating the horoscope or destiny of people.<br /><br />For more on the science of name giving see the following article http://informingscience.org/proceedings/InSITE2006/IISITSnae179.pdf<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Showing respect if you don't use titles or last names</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Nicknames in Thai</span><br /><br />Not because the last names are so long but because of traditional beliefs, most Thais also have nicknames or play names that supplement their given names. The nickname often comes at a early age and may be given by friends or family and be related to something the child does. According to some reports, the giving of second names dates back to primitive times. It was thought that a child with a lovely official name or an important family name would be at risk of envy from spirits. As a result the spirits might embark bad fortune or even steal the child. Therefore, families began giving children, second names "nicknames" based on things in nature or which would not attract attention. The nicknames may also be derived from favorite things of the parents or relatives. Among my students, I have a "Mint" "Oak" and "Nunu"<br /><br />Curious about the word nickname I did further research. Some say, the Greeks and Romans were the first to use nick names as an endearing term Here is the trivia word for the day. The term "nickname" originated in Middle English as an Anglo-Saxon word: ekename. In the Anglo-Saxon tongue, "eke" meant "also" or "added." Over time the word, as many words do, became awkard to pronounce and became nekename and also nickname. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Addressing people "given name, family name or nickname"</span><br /><br />When addressing people, the tradition always has been to use their first name. While Americans or Europeans may be offended and perceive this as a lack of formality. It is not. It is tradition. Whether you are the dean of a school, a doctor, a lawyer, your first name will be used. Respect is shown in how they greet you using their hands. Instead of shaking hands, Thais “wai” to greet people. The “wai” is a short bow done with hands held fingertips-together close to your chest or face. The higher you place your hands, the more respect is being shown. <br /><br />Signing Off Vandra who has a name made up by her mother.Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-28296543490710279832008-09-17T18:08:00.000-07:002008-09-17T19:32:40.150-07:00Thai names and BankingThomas Jefferson once said “Banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies.” This seems true in the current economic crisis. But they are also driving me crazy in Thailand. The bureaucracy is overwhelming and for a high anxiety American can be crazy making. <br /><br />Opening an account<br />I tried to open a bank account at Siam Bank. Well enough. Where is your work permit? I have my Fulbright Scholar letter, my letter from Chulalongkorn University about my position. I show they clerk these. I curiously ask, why do I need a work permit to put money in a bank? What if I brought the money with me (which I had). I sit as they continue to wrestle with allowing me to do this among themselves for 15 minutes. They decide it is maybe okay. I fill out the paper work. <br /><br /><br />Please are you Mrs. or Miss. I respond. I am neither. I am married by I used my maiden name. I would like to be Dr. Huber or Ms. Huber. We have no space on the form for that. No box. You must choose.<br />I'm nor Mrs. Huber, that's my mother. Nor am I Miss Huber. I am married and rather like my husband Michael. My checks at home say Dr. Huber. I show them my Foster Business School callings. These are no good the clerk mumbles in broken English. Anyway can make up cards saying anything. Women can only be a Mrs. or Miss.<br />I'm as stubborn as the Scottie dogs I raise. If I decide to take a stand, I do. "No I am not Mrs. nor Mrs." I will be "Ms or Dr." That's it.<br />The young man says I must go to the home office. He can not do that. It is not right.<br />"Right I say or afraid to make decision" He walks about. Okay. I wasn't so nice. <br /><br />I leave frustrated, close to tears out of frustration. (I cry easy)<br /><br />Attempt 2<br />I am required to open an account by the Fulbright Association so they can deposit my paychecks. Time to try again. This time, I take two women from the university with me, one the financial manager of the college and the other who speaks excellent English. We try one branch on campus. No can do. We wander over to a shopping center near campus. They suggest the green bank Kasikornbank. In we go.<br /><br />It takes another 20 minutes or 30 or so and finally, it seems I am opening an bank account. Well now we are back to Mrs. or Miss. I sigh deeeply. Here we go again.<br />But it's women power. My two Thai friends explain I am a professor and I don't want to be a Mrs or Miss. They enter it on the form as Mrs. Then they white it out in the savings deposit book. Not good enough for me. I check on the screen. Somehow in this bank I am finally at least a Ms.<br /><br />I found out that part of the issue is that Thailand passed a new law 2008 to give women more rights. The law allows women to choose the title they wish. However, the law only gives them two choices Mrs. or Miss<br />According to articles in the Nation, a Thai newspaper, the law was passed in February<br />The thinking is that <br /> <<blockquote></blockquote>span style="font-style:italic;">"<span style="font-weight:bold;">Since we want women to have equal rights with men, they should be able to choose the title they want. In the next four months, women's titles will identify only their gender, not their marital status as in the past."</span><br /><blockquote></blockquote></span><br /><br />The problem is that you can't be a Ms nor can you be a Dr. So perhaps not so equal.<br /><br />In other ways, Thai is liberal. It is a central location for individuals undergoing gender reassignment surgery. A bill being considered will allow people to to change their titles after undergoing a sex change operation.<br /><br />Rules to succeed<br />1. Take your passport<br />2. Take a letter of introduction from your university and from the Fulbright association<br />3. Take business cards preferably in English and Thai<br />4. Take humans with you who speak Thai<br />5. Take copies of any documents (drivers licenses, school ID) that will further prove who you are. They will copy it all.<br />6. Be patient. Thais are very rule oriented. Expatriates present challenges. The typical bank employee or manager knows how to switch dollars in Baht but anything more and they check and check again with the main office.<br />7. don't go to a small branch office. Go a large office where they are more likely to have dealt with Americans (e.g. Siam Square). Ask for best English speaking person<br />8. Even though anger is not appreciated in the land of smiles. You may have to repeat many times what you want. Tell them to call a higher level. Tell them to check. Ask the clerk to ask his or her manager. <br /><br />I was finally able to get an on-line pin number to view my account on-line only after 2 hours of negotiating and talking. Finally, the young woman deferred to the bank manager (but only when I asked her to do so.) He gave permission in 2 minutes. The only problem is the password still doesn't work.Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-7035089027066568592008-09-13T10:33:00.000-07:002008-09-13T11:33:02.213-07:00Bankgok Not So Dangerous<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dzs4eQp-H0BwgEUKnTb5bGWJMRXaA60Z6PCMh0W49aMeCZtebDegb1JWDOMlH8OsFAKG0WwdFccofG6VHSxqH0npSa7o2Ad6D1cV9gN_kgu-wFzxs8cugRZ09piqUDuqQkKmKBQDGws/s1600-h/DSC_7433.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dzs4eQp-H0BwgEUKnTb5bGWJMRXaA60Z6PCMh0W49aMeCZtebDegb1JWDOMlH8OsFAKG0WwdFccofG6VHSxqH0npSa7o2Ad6D1cV9gN_kgu-wFzxs8cugRZ09piqUDuqQkKmKBQDGws/s320/DSC_7433.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245575396989862306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7m5420UQCBnma89HplKkc1UlWYahtNM6S5vSv9T2gJqOXmCXfc3sPXl0P3TtPEHcPF_SX4IEbxuWlVdCFP_ncAQqISuzLHDeojpuBMNL0ZhSh4OLplw3irK9hiq8_RTZ-fSjPNXNcMg/s1600-h/DSC_6027.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7m5420UQCBnma89HplKkc1UlWYahtNM6S5vSv9T2gJqOXmCXfc3sPXl0P3TtPEHcPF_SX4IEbxuWlVdCFP_ncAQqISuzLHDeojpuBMNL0ZhSh4OLplw3irK9hiq8_RTZ-fSjPNXNcMg/s320/DSC_6027.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245569310353218754" /></a><br />Well. I felt it my obligation being in Bangkok to check out the new Nicholas Cage movie, Bagkok Dangerous. I actual went the day it opened to no so backed crowds at the Imaxx theater at the Siam Center, the big upscale mall near my house. After standing in line I finally stood next to a American couple so I could ask the question of the day "Is it in English or thai". The woman nicely responded English. She told me to try to see it movies 1-4, those are the delux theaters. Hmm what is the definition of delux in an upscale mall selling High scale fashion, designer shops along with the stables of coach, docle, ferrari's on the 4th floor, a whole floor of golf stores and stuff. Well I decided to do the big deal. I laid down my 500 baht for the to scale theater and off I went.<br /><br />I got a wierd look when I was escorted into the waiting lounge. I'm suppose to buy my drinks there and recline and get my popcorn cookies, liquor and what else here. How's a girl suppose to know. With the debut movie ready to begin, I's ushered to my seat. The seats are group in twos. Two recliners with sound barriers around them. There is a small table and can holder between each recliner. Yes I said electronic recliner. My usher hands me my silky blankie and pillow. A girl up, push the reclin button, the feet pop up and we're ready to go. Now this is living. A few minutes later a young teanage kid with too much cologne sits in the reciliner next to me. But he does not recline -- not yet anyway.<br /><br />I just get situated in the recliner and then the music starts. All around me everyone is standing. The screen is filled with pictures of the queen being charitable. I can't figure out how to make the reclining foot rest go back. But I need to stand. I don't want them to think I am disrespectful. I don't want to go to chair. So I just straddle the recliner chair -- a bit uncomfortable -- for three months of singling and looking patriotic. But it worked. Okay Rule 1 is don't put the recliner in recline until after the national song is song and you've paid proper homage to king and queen. Whew that one is over.<br /><br />Now for the show. I'd rate it about a 3. It had lots of drama, blood and gore juxtapoisitioned against a man attempting to refind his soul humidity thurhg human contact. An elephone with a trunk turned down similized that things are going to go bad and they do. Would I see it again-- well probably not. But I did like see all the places I see every day in the movie, the boots drug store, the MBK shopping center with the neon light, the night market with the neat jazz and music, a streets dimly lit with vegegation. I found like I was getting the lay of the land for my new hood. That was until I went to transparency internerationals webside and look up the transparency index for Thailand, or I though about the newest moves by the government to fire the Prime Minister because he appeared on a coiking show on TV and his party deciding not to renominate him. It's a crasy place in many ways. <br /><br /> Well anyway go see the movie if you want to see my daily huants. Most were shot very near my apartment hotel. <br />Momenets later I found out why. Before ever movie they play about a 3 minute tribute song to king and queen. Everyone must stand and show proper respect. It's a jail sentence to be disrespectful. I could figure out fast enough how to get the recliner foot cushion back up so I straddled it. Yeah I looked wiered, a lot wiered. But I told myself it didn't matter much because of the spacer between the seats. But the usher did look at me a bit funny.<br /><br />Now for the movie. It one I would normally choose.It would be rock 'em off, bad guy show we'd go to on Michael's night to chooose the movie. But I was in Bangkok and it was filmed in Bangkok. I actually got off on figuring out where the scenes were filmed. There is one scene where he is up on the walk way or sky bridge. Bangkok has two sky trains to cross the busy streets you climb two flights of stairs and talk the walk ways which lead to the toerh side, major shopping malls and the sky train. One seen shows the big globwing MBK sign in the hight light. Heck that's about a 1/2 mile from my little apartment. <br /><br />And the scene where he meets the lovely death pharmacist. Well thtt has to be Boot's pharmacy by the layout and colors. They are a cross between the old drug store and real time pharmacy. You can get many drugs you get in the U.S. in these stores weithou a prescrptions. They are conveniently located and have English speaking (to some degree) work personal who actual try to help you.<br /><br />While I don't know which back dark streets he walks down, I feel like I have been there. There are many. Stores which may be printers become restaurants in the evenings. Tables pop out on the side walk. Some streets are very dark. Luckily the bridge I cross over to my hotel is well lit. It's anchored at each end by 3-4 tuck tuck drivers who will take you across the bridge for only 100 baht. A couple of times I have been tired enough to think about it but the price is too too high.<br /><br />Oh yes, back to the movie. I think the movie captures the essences of Bangkok. The old traditions, the drak streets, the beauty of the monay people. The hard work for what every purpose. My masssage center stays open until 1 a.m. The corner store is open from 10 a.m. to midnight every day. These people work hard. Very hard.<br /><br />Well A move theater with a blanky, a weaiter to bring popcorn and treats, drinks sure beats the regular theater. And all this for 600 baht. Count me in again.Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-22502303885918253322008-09-08T09:26:00.000-07:002008-09-09T08:40:07.014-07:00Sepak Takraw - Thailand's Aero VolleyballSo I decide to visit one of the oldest stores in Bangkok "The Emporium." Off I go on the Sky Train which conveniently stops at the store. After successfully not buying anything, I decide to check out the neighborhood. It's Sunday. There is suppose to be a nice park nearby named "Queen Sirikit Park." She is the reigning queen of Thailand. About a block away there is a lovely park with lush green grass, a small lake, interesting sculptures including some modern and some traditional. One interesting one made of granite portrays about a dozen naked Little Thai kids standing crowded together (a funny row of Thai cherubs). I speak briefly with a American woman who has worked for a nonprofit in Thailand for 18 years. 3-4 Thai kids run up to her calling her auntie. I continue my walk past a couple young folks snuggled up, a man lying on his back shaving in a prone position (hmm how do you shave laying down?). There are a few old folks (well older than me) who are feed pigeons. A vendor nearby shoos the bird away as fast as they land). I pass a modern skate boarding park. And then I see them...
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Sepak Takaw</span>
<br />Young men probably around the age of 18-24 are flying through the air. Yes, they do flips in the air and then kick something that resembles a small ball. They flip over; their legs fly up, cross and land. The ball bounces high off of one kid's head, then again and now off of a team mate's ankle. Now off of another head. Is it soccer? No the court is too small. It looks like volleyball but the ball is much smaller and brown. The ball dives to the other side of the court. The three players dive towards the ball, legs stretching, just a little more, a little more and then contact. Like hacky sack, they kick the ball with their foot up, up in the air as it nose dives down, another player springs high into action. He flips the ball up and over the net using only the side of ankle to bounce the ball off.
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<br />The guy really jumped up as high as net, kicked the ball up even higher and aims it over the net. He finished off the move with an air-bourne flip around. He does a back flip like a cheer leader but higher in the air with legs outstretched. It reminds me of karate or kung fu kicks you think are fake in Jackie Chen movies on television. But it's for real. These guys are flying and it's real. They aren't bouncing off walls, they are springing high in the air from the ground. The ball bounces off of one guy's head. The entire time his hands are by his side. The guys on the other side dive with his head almost parallel to the ground. But it is too late. The ball lands on the court, bounces slightly. Point made. The guy in the back of court serves. He tosses the ball high and simultaneously jumps up and makes contact with the ball on his ankle. The ball flies at about 60-70 mph. His body is like a giant tennis racket. On the other side of the net, they are ready. Squatting and bouncing slightly in anticipation. The ball zooms over the net. Two players rise off the ground as high as volleyball net.
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<br />I sat transfixed watching this game for about an hour. A team which is called a Regu consists of three players. The player at the back is the server or Tekong. Serving is done by kicking the ball over the net. Positions are not rotated as in volleyball but scoring is very similar. It is the most fascinating game I have ever seen.
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<br />To play Sepak Takraw, you bounce the ball off your body or those of your teammates -- just so it doesn't touch the ground. A player can touch the ball three times per point with any part of the body except hands. Eventually it must go over the net. Here is a really neat picture which shows how much the game involves <a href="http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/4278/sports.html">acrobatics </a>. Note that the one player is upside down on the left with his legs higher than the net. There are three sets to 15 points. There can be tie-breakers as in tennis or bandminton.
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<br />According to research I have done,the name is derive from Thai and a Malaysian words. Takraw means kick in Thai and sepak raga means kick rattan ball. The game of <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Sepak Tekaw</span> dates back to as early as the 1400. Purportedly in Bangkok there is a mural at one of the temples (I think Wat Phra Keow) in which the Hindu God Hanuman is playing the game with a group of monkeys. But there is really no monkeying around in this game. It is an acrobatic sport that requires great dexterity, jumping, and flipping up and around. Players wear wraps on their ankles since the ankles take a lot of abuse and are used to bounce the ball off of and to slam it over the net. the body weight propels and adds momentum. Some players also wear wraps around their knees. All drip sweat as the game is very fast paced. And it is hot and humid in Bangko. On this day it was 91 degree with humidity of about 40 percent. But it is the game that grabs your mind. You've got to see it to believe it!
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<br />There are traditional Sepak Takraw games which are played and scored like volleyball and badminton. A new form of the game is more like gymnastics. In the new form, the aerobatics of the team and players is scored for the maneuver's, height and entertainment value, height of kicks and variety of kicks. Who knows we might see it in the Olympics
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<br />The original balls were made of rattan. Now they are made of a rubber like substance that is hard but somewhat flexible to bounce. The balls weigh from 145 grams (5.1 ounces) for a beginner's ball to 178 grams (6.3 ounces) for a professional tournament ball. Compare that to a softball baseball and volleyball. Courts are the same size as in badminton.
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<br />Since I am not a team sport kinda gal (didn't grow when girls played team sports) I prepared a small table with some comparison. So here goes
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style="border: medium none ; width: 338.2pt; border-collapse: collapse;" width="451" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr style="height: 17.5pt;"> <td style="border-style: solid; border-color: white; border-width: 1pt 1pt 3pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 49.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 17.5pt;" valign="top" width="65"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Game<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: white white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 3pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 61.9pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 17.5pt;" valign="top" width="83"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Sepak Takraw<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: white white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 3pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 55.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 17.5pt;" valign="top" width="73"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Baseball<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: white white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 3pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 59.6pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 17.5pt;" valign="top" width="79"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Volleyball<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: white white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 3pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 58.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 17.5pt;" valign="top" width="78"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Soccer Football<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: white white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 1pt 3pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 0.75in; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 17.5pt;" valign="top" width="72"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Hacky Sack<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="border-style: none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white; border-width: medium 3pt medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 49.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="65"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Year <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 61.9pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="83"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">1400<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 55.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="73"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">1845<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 59.6pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="79"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">1895<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 58.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="78"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">1863<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 0.75in; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="72"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">1972 <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="border-style: solid solid none; border-color: white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 3pt medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 49.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="65"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Country <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 61.9pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="83"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Thailand and Cambodia<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 55.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="73"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">USA<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 59.6pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="79"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">USA<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 58.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="78"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">England<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 0.75in; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="72"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">USA<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="border-style: solid solid none; border-color: white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 3pt medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 49.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="65"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Ball Weight<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 61.9pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="83"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">145-178 gm<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">5.1-6.3 oz<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 55.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="73"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">142-149g <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">5-5.25 oz<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 59.6pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="79"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">260-280 gms<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 58.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="78"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">410-450 gm<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">14-16 oz<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 0.75in; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="72"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">55 gms<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="border-style: solid solid none; border-color: white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 3pt medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 49.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="65"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Ball <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 61.9pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="83"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">16.5” -17.5” <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 55.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="73"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">9 inches<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 59.6pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="79"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">25-27 inches<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 58.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="78"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">68-70 cm<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">27-28”<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 0.75in; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="72"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Could not find reference<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="border-style: solid solid none; border-color: white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 3pt medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 49.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="65"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Ball <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Material<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 61.9pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="83"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Rattan or rubber. 12 <span style=""> </span>holes and 20 intersections <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 55.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="73"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Core of rubber/ or cork. Yarn wrapped tightly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Cover of cowhide. <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 59.6pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="79"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Rubber bladder, cloth layer and 18 panel leather cover<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 58.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="78"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Air filled with leather cover<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 0.75in; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="72"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Cotton or ultra seude cover. Sand, birdseed <span style=""> </span>or plastic pellets inside<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="border-style: solid solid none; border-color: white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 3pt medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 49.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="65"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Players<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 61.9pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="83"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">3 /team <span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>with a reserve player<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 55.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="73"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">25/team <span style=""> </span>9 on field<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 59.6pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="79"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">6 /team<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Beach volley <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">2 / team<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 58.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="78"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">11 players and 5 substitutes<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 0.75in; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="72"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">As many or as few as you want<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="border-style: solid solid none; border-color: white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt 3pt medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 49.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="65"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Court Size<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 61.9pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="83"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">19.5’ X 42.8’<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 55.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="73"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 59.6pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="79"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">30’ X 60’<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">10 X 20 yds<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 58.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="78"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">50-100 yds X 100-130<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 0.75in; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="72"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">As big or small as # of players<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="border-style: solid; border-color: white; border-width: 1pt 3pt 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(192, 80, 77) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 49.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="65"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Serving<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 61.9pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="83"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Tossed in air and kicked <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 55.1pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="73"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Throws with hands. <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 59.6pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="79"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Serves with hands<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 58.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="78"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Held and kicked<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 0.75in; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="72"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: black;">Tossed in air and kicked <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
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<br />I am totally in awe of these players. I am tired just watching them. I want to watch more. But I know that I personally will not be playing any of these games soon -- even with lots of Thai massage.
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<br />Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-78353370272659608272008-09-06T06:54:00.000-07:002008-09-08T09:26:24.804-07:00The Art of Thai Massage<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms, arial, helvetica;"><small><br />Some of you may know and others may not that (to date) I have gotten a massage in every country that I have visited. It's just what the doctor ordered ('course the doctor is me). It's one of those things I do for research purposes. You understand...<br />So what exactly is Thai massage and how does it differ from other forms of massage.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Setting the Stage</span><br />It's hot and humid in Bangkok. Really humid. I walk across a bridge to go shopping (about 1/2 mile away). I walk up and down stairs to take the sky train. I walk up and down stairs to cross the road via walk overs (The traffic literally will kill yeah in Bangkok). Needless to say a massage is just what you need to relax. As I cross over the bridge, I'm created by a handful of Thai women dressed in black pants and pink polo shirts waving signs. "Thai massage Madame?" The sign says only 180 baht body or foot massage. Next door, their competitors dressed in yellow shirts and black pants also wave signs, smile sweetly. One or two are eating some noodles. A couple sit on the bench, feet curled up under them. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102); font-weight: bold;">Pink is a favorite color in Thailand (More about colors in a later post) so I pick the shop with the pink topped workers.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I tell them I would like a Thai massage. "How long madame? " I pause only long enough to do the math. I hour equal $5.29. Two hours I say. "Sit, please sit." I sit on a wooden bench. One of the workers takes my shoes and socks off, placing them on the shoe rack. From behind the counter, a small boy peeks out. Many Thais I have noticed take their kids with them to work. The youngster comes out and grabs my hand then dashes over to the next bench and jumps off. Superman. I understood him. I understood him flying by as well.<br /><br />The work whose name is Amp ( I later learn) comes back with a small plastic container of water. She places it down and washes my feet with a small brush. She dries them off and places some slippers on my feet. "Come. We go up now." It is my understanding that the feet are considered the unholiest part of the body. Therefore, they need to be clean before any work is done. It also makes sense because most people wear <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sandals</span>, no socks and have smelly, dirty toes in Bangkok. Too darn hot for socks and boots (It's my third week here and I've now also dumped the support socks in favor of "air conditioned" legs.)</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span><br /></span> We travel up some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">treacherous</span> steep stairs to the second floor. Futon-like Mattresses neatly line the floor. Red gingham checked curtains that can be pulled close are between the massage pads. I'm handed some bergundy-colored knee-lengh PJs to change into. Given my lack of flexibility, I awkwardly stand atop the matress and change clothes, removing jewelry, slippers etc. I lie down on the matress with my face buried in a pillow as I would in the U.S. Afterall, they'll start with the back ... Boy am I wrong<br />First difference<br />My masseuse tells me to turn over and lie on my back. I comply. The work begins as she tells me in broken English to let her know if "too hard or too soft." I wait for the lotion or oil to be applied. It isn't at any time. That's difference number 2. Thai massage focuses on manipulating the body, slowly and mindfully. There is no need to the hands to slide over the skin. Therefore, Thai massage needs no oil or lotion.<br /><br />The massage begins with your feet because that is the beginning source of all energy entering and leaving the body. They kneed your feet, your legs. About half of the two hour massage I had focused only on the legs. Your legs are stretched and bent into what some people say are various yoga positions. Since I can't even bend and get on my knees to do most yoga positions, I was utterly amazed how they were able to move my legs in various positions.<br />The massuese uses his or her entire body in the process. Sometimes (she generic) would stand between my legs and put pressure on my legs, or where my hip sockets are. Other times elbows would be used. Sometimes my leg would cradled in her hands and she sat on the mat and worked on my leg. One then the other. She bent my leg at the knee and very slowly ever so slowly (they are taught to move slowly and thoughtfully) she bent the knee and leg outward to the ground. Another time across my body to stretch my back. Somtimes she would pull back on the leg. Other times push the sole of my foot to flex my ankles. What was amazing is that it really didn't hurt. Yes I knew she was there but it didn't hurt like physical therapy or exercising at the gym.<br />I think what suprised me most was just how tender my thigh muscles were. Normally, I have always blamed the tension and soreness on tight calf muscles. She found pressure points in my thighs that I never knew were sore at all. But they definitely were tender. It radiated down the leg.<br />Once the legs were done, arms were next. The same thoughtful, careful process. She bent in positions that I couldn't even think to bend in to work on my body. There was thumping as well and stretching. No heat, no oil, no creams.<br />Only then I turned over my back. But once again I was surprised. it was more stretching and pressure points and slow tracing of muscles down the back of my leg. Only a tiny portion of the time was devoted to my back. Very different than the traditional Swedish massage or even the Chinese massages I have had.<br />Eventually, she had me sit up as she slid behind me and cradled my head in her folder legs. "It's alright madame." She slowly moved the muscles in my neck. Because I could not see for sure, I believe she used her elbows and fore arms for some of the work. For such a small woman. Those hands had power! They traced down the middle of my back. Around my head. Pulse points by my ears. She used what I would equate to acupressure on my face, hitting the major sinus spots I am familar with as well as a few other tender points on the face. The massage ended with her flicking my hair and in a sense rubbing my head so that the hair made a crunchy sound in my ears. Much softer and gentler than the famous head massages I received in India which were more like head bonks!. This reminded me of being a kid in my mom's beauty shop where she would give me a scalp massage with hot oil. The difference was that no oil was used.<br />The only thing I would change about my massage was the room temperature. While a big towel was used to cover me, it did not keep me warm enough. My arm and hands closest to the air conditioner got very cold.<br />Many people say you are sore for a day after a Thai massage. This was not the case for me. I felt really good. Maybe too good because I wanted to take a nap. But it was good ... Oh so good. I frankly liked the Thai massage I received from the woman more than the man because it did not hurt. He moved my knees rapidly and they didn't want to move. Then again, perhaps by the time my female massage worked on me, I was bit looser. Afterall, I have been walking everywhere. But it was heaven.<br />I paid my 360 bahts. The dollar is now worth 34 bahts so the cost was $1. I have my massuese a 100 baht tip. Remember the minimum wage in Thailand is only 203 baht a day.<br />I plan to do a lot more research on Thail massage in the future.<br /><br /><br />Vandra in bliss<br /><br /><br />Extending and stretching the entire muscular system stimulate the local circular of the skin,</small><br /><small>the connective tissue and muscles.</small></span>Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-80339279253959684012008-09-01T06:28:00.000-07:002008-09-01T07:38:01.760-07:00What do things costAs I was planning for this trip, one of the things I considered was what do things cost and what would the "adventure" cost me. Everyone assured me that things would be a lot less expensive in Thailand so it would be no problem to live on my reduced budget. Or is it....<br /><br />I'm staying at a very nice apartment hotel made for expatriates such as myself as well as some students from various countries. It's called the Evergreen place apartment. For my one bedroom apartment with a special discount for being affliatated with Chulalongkorn University I'm paying about $1,000 a month plus electricity (the cooling bill has not yet appeared). It's about 2700 baht or $80 a month for a computer hook up in the apartment. I could not do this if I had to go to the lobby, go to school or an internet cafe to use the computer. A team of cleaning women come each day (they come barefooted) and sweep the floors, make the bed, do the dishes. I have access to a gymnasium with an on-hand trainer, a laundry room. There is an on-sight restaurant which I used once but didn't like the hamburger so didn't go back.<br />A load of laundry neatly folded, stacked or put on hangers is about 375 baht or $11.<br />So far not so bad.<br /><br />I take a taxi to school and the journey takes about 15 minutes even in early morning traffic. The cost is about 60 baht or $2. I come home by taking a hot pink "students" bus from the school to the Siam Center, a huge shopping complex about half a mile from my hotel apartment. It costs 2 baht. A real bargain.<br /><br />Tonight I had a pizza delivered. The large size Hawaiian pizza with a thin crust, musrooms and a bun of garlic bread was 512 baht plus a tip. The size of the large pizza is about that of an American small pizza. I ordered it on line and it really was delivered to the hotel in less than 30 minutes. It comes complete with a about five squeeze packs of ketship but no grated cheese or hot peppers (I thought all food was hot here). So with tip it was about 580 baht or $17.50. Well, it's smaller than an American pizza, a little less expensive but they delivered. I can't get delivery where I live in Woodinville. Nor can I get cable television. Pizza tastes pretty good. The delivery company is The Pizza Company. Maybe next time I'll try the lasagna.<br /><br />I've tried a donut or two or maybe three at dunkin donuts. I can a nice donut and a strawberry slush for 59 baht or $2. A nice snack on the way home for school. A Burger King double cheese burger with fries and a small drink is about 280 baht. So a little cheaper than a combo in the U.S.<br /><br />My addiction to diet coke is a bit costly. And they don't have cherry diet coke. They do love coke zero which tastes funny here. A case of 4 six packs of cans costs me 350 baht or $11 at the little corner store by the hotel. I like going there because they are always so grateful for customers. I went to the 7 11 and they saw the bag in my hand and reminded me that they had the same cookies. Could I please buy from them? more convenient. So I have. We've made a deal that they will carry potato chips with ripples but not with the exotic flavors such as shrimp or onions and tomato. At home if I wait for the sales I can get a 12 pack for about $3.50 or $7 for a case. So we save in the U.S.<br /><br />I can take the sky train to the end of the run and to the big Weekend market for a $1. Who needs a car, certainly not me. I'm walking a lot more here and hopefully losing some weight.<br />I can by a real Lesportsac bag for about $20 more than I pay at home. But a lovely related brand "lesport bag" that looks pretty much the same is only 180 baht or about $6.<br /><br />Make-up is general more expensive here so if you come bring it from home. I figured out the prices on some make up I used. I have been using a Japanese brand called DHC which has some lovely olive oil that I like, great hand creams and nice makeup and night creams. So in the states, it is coming from Japan. Now I'm not a geographer but I think Thailand is closer to Japan than the U.S. But there is about 40% increase in the makeup. They did have a store at the mall but I didn't pay shipping in the U.S. So import costs must be higher here.<br /><br />Now for the bargain:<br />Massage. I can get a one hour foot massage with a little back rub added at the end for only 180 baht. At the big discount mall the same treatment is twice is much at 360 baht. At a major hotel (I've checked out a couple, it goes up to around 1,000 baht or more. So the range is $6 to $30. I can get a Thai massage and they are wonderful at my corner massage store for 180 baht for an hour and 360 for two hours. You really need 2 hours for it to be done right. My store (yes I'm sounding like a local) has the gals and guys dressed in pink shirts. We'll talk about colors and how to dress in another posting. So for about $12 I can get all the kinks worked out. At home an hour massage is at least $60-$100. Now here I don't get a shower but I do get to wear special massage PJs for the Thai massage. Now this is living.<br /><br />Silk. Thai is known for its silk products that are hand, rather than machine loomed. I got a beautiful hand made to fit hot pink silk short jacket for 4000 baht or $121. And a pocket for dog shoes. I also got a longer jacket with patchwork silk colors, two large pockets for about $150. I could have gotten a similar long jacket embroidered with Asian print for the same $121 I paid for the other jacket. All of these were negotiable. I decided to go to better shops because of the guarantee on tailoring and quality silk.<br /><br />I am having two skirts, two sleeveless silk tops and skirts in hot pink and royal blue made at another shop for 7250 baht or $219. The skirts are long and flowing and hand tailored. I didn't have them made at the same shop as the jacket as they would have cost 100 more dollars.<br /><br />Not always bargains<br />Tuk Tuk drivers are not always bargains. They seem to like the price of 50 baht to 100 baht. I'll take the cab with a meter and air conditioning unless I want a thrill ride or have lots of people to cram in the tuk tuk.<br /><br />One thing that was harder to fine was someone to do acrylic nails. At home for a fill its about $20. and a pedigure is $18. But here it was close 2750 at a nailshop at the mall. I cared about quality and the use of sterile equipment so I found 20 Nail Studio at the Siam Paragon. Now the price somewhat shocked me because other personal services were so low. But I got a fill, two sets of the prettiest flowers hand painted on my nails. I think the flowers are growing. Tha nail artists are known for their expertise, a pedigree, a gel overlay. The nail artist took over 2 hours to paint my nails. Then the specialist painted the flowers in about four minutes. Truly lovely services and I'll go again but the sticker price was a little surprising.<br /><br />So that's it from Bangkok. Vandra signing offVandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6101451201198111894.post-67894364465401120942008-08-29T20:22:00.000-07:002008-08-29T21:12:46.426-07:00Protestors in ThailandIf you come from a culture where protests are not every day occurrence such as I do, it is a bit daunting to hear on the news that national television station has been sieged and forced to go off the air for a short while, that protesters are storming government buildings and surrounding the prime minster's house. Yet that is exactly what has been happening this week in Bangkok.<br /><br />Walking down the street near the major shopping centers, there is nothing to see out of the ordinary -- well maybe a new pair of shoes to examine or another tasty Thai pastry to buy and nibble on. But no protestors. At Chulalongkorn University, my economics students are non plus about the whole thing. "Not to worry Professor. It will all work out. " "They are always protesting and upset against the government."<br /><br />Nevertheless, the pictures are scarey on television. The idea of a government being overthrown is concerning. Heck, we just are beginning our election process. We throw mud in advertisements and words in debates but we don't normally storm government buildings. But that is exactly what is happening in Thailand.<br /><br />So what's it all about. The People's<span id="intelliTxt"><span name="KonaFilter">Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is an anti government group who believes that the current government headed by Thai prime minister Samak Sundaravej is a puppet organizational for the previous government. Sundaravej's government has only been in power since the first of the year. the protests have begun to spread. To put pressure on the government, PAD blocked roads to airports at two top tourist destinations in Thailand, leaving many people stranded.<br /><br />While some media claim this is a move for democracy, it may not be. According to other sources, the PAD is</span></span> backed by media tycoon and multimillionaire Sondhi Limthongkul. Despite its name, the PAD is a vehicle primarily for the urban middle and upper classes, described by the Bangkok Post as the “blue blood jet set.” they want to maintain traditional ways and have the ruling elite remain in power. According to the Economist, this is an argument against one political group which is popular among the poorer, rural majority of Thais and the rich opponents—a group of mostly elite Bangkokians. Each is defending "their type of democracy. It is democracy if you get what you want. So maybe it is a bit like in the U.S. with Republicians representing big business and democrats representing the masses. HMMMM<br /><br />Regardless, it is a bit scarey being here. I'm glad I didn't book a flight to Phukit this weekend for a holiday. I don't think I will be touring government facilities any time soon. But still the shopping is nice, the people genuinely friendly. But it still too darn humid and hot.<br /><br />Vandra in Thailand<br /><span id="intelliTxt"><span name="KonaFilter"><br /><br /></span></span>Vandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12860296445743997708noreply@blogger.com2