Pattaya Mail — Features

Travel & Leisure in and around Pattaya

Wat Yan Sangwararm
A little known forest of temples just outside Pattaya

with Ken Bailey

Most visions of Pattaya are of an exciting bustling city with a golden seaside playground. Few seem to realise that only 17 km from town lies the lush forest setting of Wat Yan Sangwararam’s numerous temples. An interesting day or half, this temple cluster gives you a cultural, architectural and artistic experience as well as a nature break.

When first arriving, the natural beauty of the surroundings strikes the visitor. With a jade coloured reservoir as an epicenter, lush plains of vegetation, flourishing in various shades of green, are bordered by stony and tree dotted mountains. In conspiracy with this nature allure, the reservoir’s high shooting water fountain and the temples bear testament to man’s ability to compliment nature’s beauty when he really wants to.

Popular with the Royal Family for some time, the complex’s current state of enhanced beauty was brought about by a royal development program established by His Majesty the King in the early 1980’s. Typifying His Majesty’s wide ranging concerns, this domain of pristine beauty is also home to a wildlife breeding and conservation centre, a school and a hospital. All, like the temples, blend complimentarily into the surrounds.

Set among environs of neat green lawns and colourful flora, the temples represent an array of Asian architectural blends. Speckled around the reservoir, temple lawns are a perfect place for picnic lunches and some peace and quite. After or before lunch you can wander around the various temples taking in the contrasting, yet unanimously intricately featured architecture.

A short distance along narrow roads, through the abundantly green countryside, Buddha Mountain or Khao Chee Chan, stands magnificently. Heavily scarred by mining, His Majesty appointed the carving of a huge golden Buddha image into the exposed rock face. Breathtaking in size and brilliant under the glimmer of its gold outline, this image is certainly something to see and photograph.

Getting to Wat Yanasangwararam (Wat Yan for short) and exploring at your leisure is really only easily possible with your own transport. Hiring a car or motorcycle is the obvious option for non-owners. Head towards Sattahip on Sukhumvit Road; not far past the Ocean Marina, take a left hand off the sign posted in Thai and English. A few kilometres straight down and the reservoir and temples will come into sight. Roads encircle the reservoir leading to all temples and picnic areas. Take your own or purchase lunch from the many food vendors or the café at the exquisite Chinese-Thai temple, Wat Sangwararam, which, along with Buddha Mountain, visually command the panorama.

PILC St.Andrews Day Dinner Dance

by Elfi

The members of the Pattaya International Lady’s Club were so impressed with Pattaya Mail’s article about the AIDS Centre in Rayong, they immediately sent over a delegation to observe and find ways to help. Spontaneously, they decided to raise money for this centre with a very unusual Dinner Dance on November, 29, 1997, at the Royal Cliff Grand.

The intention of this night is: "We can not ignore Aids patients - let’s help them!"

After a cocktail reception, there will be a short introduction by Catherine Gatrell, followed by the serving of a delicious menu. The Filipino band of the Royal Cliff will play the night away until the morning hours and lots of raffle prizes and fun is waiting for the guests. As a very special surprise, the ladies were able to convince the Scottish World Champion Highland-Dancers to make a show.

It will be a truly fun-night, and there’s no dress code! Not only the members of the PILC and their spouses can join this remarkable party, EVERYBODY is more than welcome to make this evening a great success.

Tickets are already available at:

Pattaya Mail Office,
2nd Road, Tel. 411 240

Yes-Boutique at the Amari Orchid Resort, Tel. 428 161

Mrs. Kim Fisher,
Tel. 300 230

Mrs. Catherine Gatrell, Tel. 237 193

Mrs. Jo Hall,
Tel 241 061

Mrs. Catherine Bond, Tel. 704 297

Businesses on the Eastern Seaboard

ACS ASIA

by Ken Bailey

Opening new factories capable of handling expanded workloads is presently common among those companies along the seaboard which have experienced success over the past years. Joining CR Industrial Co. Ltd., another New Zealand originated joint venture, ACS Asia is about to open its new Sattahip factory, their third since commencing Thailand operations four years ago.

A partnership between Thailand’s Sino Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Ltd. and Forlong & Maisey Ltd. of New Zealand, ACS Asia manufacturers a range of racking systems for electrical and mechanical cabling in industrial buildings. The company’s work can be simplistically described as specialised sheet metal manufacturing, and their product range from the very light to the heavy duty.

Their smaller product portfolio contains items such as very light supports for computer cables and thin perforated tray systems which brace light cables. Much of the company’s work involves manufacturing large items such as systems for supporting industrial piping, and housing for under-floor computer systems. Supports for large current carrying power cables, as well as ducting which carry multiple cables from switchboards. All in great demand by the seaboard’s industry.

General Manager Chris Ulyatt explains that ACS Asia came about due to the considerable costs in transporting products from their New Zealand and Australian factories to their Asian customers. Establishing an Asian operation has increased the company’s regional competitiveness in the areas of price, turn around time and customer service. The company states that Thailand was chosen for this manufacturing base due to its sound economic climate (at the time), developed infrastructure and domestic market opportunities. Chris adds that they estimated 10 years domestic work plus export opportunities for their Thai operations. These forecasts are proving accurate.

Presently exporting to Indonesia, Laos and Singapore, ACS has other regional markets in mind. Their Sattahip location has facilitated this export strategy due to the proximity of Laem Chabang Port, while maximising domestic market potential by being surrounded by prospective customers.

A sign of long term commitment and confidence, the company’s new factory is under Board Of Investment zone three privilege, has been custom built with 2700 sqm. of covered workshop and sits on 11 rai of land, room for even further expansion. This sort of positive step during current economic conditions should be good news for the 86 Thai and two foreign employees of ACS Asia. Workers at other companies are not so lucky as restructuring and down-sizing continues throughout the Kingdom.

Pattaya welcomes top German journalist

by Elfi

LTU, German giant of charter flights, welcomed 12 journalists from all the main newspapers of Germany on a promotion tour through Thailand. Their last destinations were Rayong and Pattaya, where they were introduced to U-Tapao Airport and the weekly scheduled flights of LTU, starting on November 8.

At their arrival in Pattaya, the group of journalists received a warm welcome by Elisabeth Hartmann, Assistant Resident Manager of LTU Thailand in Pattaya, and Hans Spoerri, General Manager of Siam Bayshore Hotel, who treated them with a fantastic Chinese dinner.

A press conference and a cocktail reception were held on October 17 at the Royal Cliff Grand with the local newspapers and media attending. Alois Fassbind, Executive General Manager of Royal Cliff, gave a welcome speech in which he expressed his gratitude towards LTU for making weekly flights to U-Tapao possible.

Sutham Phanthusak also gave a warm welcome speech on behalf of THA and City Hall.

Koray Cavdir, Assistant General Manager of Operations for LTU Asia Tours, pointed out during his speech the importance of U-Tapao as the future main airport at the Eastern Seaport for all the expats who are living in this area. He explained that there are four main destinations in Germany which can be reached by those flights, by changing planes in Abu Dhabi.

‘Of course,’ he said, ‘there are also other flights to take, either from Abu Dhabi or from one of the destinations in Germany, to go everywhere in the world. Right now the price for a round trip ticket is app. 22,000 Baht.’

Günther Opielka of LTU thanked all the journalists for their appearance and expressed his hope that the flights to U-Tapao will be a great success. He mentioned that already app. 40,000 seats for flights are booked for the coming season. The flights will have a stopover in Chiang Mai before arriving in U-Tapao.

Rudi Fischer, Vice President of Bangkok Airways, told journalists the good news that there will soon be flights scheduled from U-Tapao to Sukhothai.

Peter Malhotra, publisher and editor of Pattaya Mail, held one of his sparkling speeches, but this time in perfect German language. He then also helped to translate the question/answer session.

One of the main questions concerned the water quality in Pattaya. Sutham Phanthusak ensured the journalists that soon the final connection of the wastewater plant will be done and the water quality will improve drastically within one year’s time. He said, ‘All first class hotels are connected already and about 90 % of the smaller hotels as well.’

Koray Cavdir answered questions about the facilities of U-Tapao Airport, saying, ‘Right now it is possible to expedite 5 planes per day. Orient Thai has already made U-Tapao their home-destination and soon it will be possible to enlarge the system and the facilities. There is already a custom barrier installed, awaiting the arrival of foreign visitors. We have all realised the Eastern Seaboard is one of the most frequented areas in Thailand and therefore it is very necessary to set up a local airport. At the same time, traffic at the airport in Bangkok can be relieved by it.’

Erika Amann of LTU Munich thanked the hosts for the special treatment they passed on to the group of journalists. She also promised to do everything to promote U-Tapao, since she herself has been a regular guest to Thailand since 1968.

The evening ended with a beautiful 5-course dinner at the La Gritta Restaurant, hosted by General Manager Pierre-Andre Pelletier of Amari Orchid, before the foreign journalists had to get on the bus at 2:00 a.m. to catch their flight, this time still from Bangkok to Germany.

Health and Nutrition Facts

Dear Diary

by Laura Zubrod, Registered Dietician

Keeping tabs on what you eat can help with weight control. People who keep a food and exercise diary are often more successful at weight management than those who do not.

What should you write in your food diary? The easiest way to keep a diary is to use a small notebook with a separate page for each day. Divide your page into 5 columns: food, approximate amount eaten, time, place, and the emotion you felt when you ate the food. Also, list the type of exercise you do during the day along with the amount of time. Keep your food diary for at least one week. Then review it to get a closer look at your eating and physical activity habits.

Look at the foods you eat. Consider what other foods you could have eaten that would have been lower in fat and calories or provided you with more vitamins and fiber. Check to see if you’re getting servings from all the food groups or if you’re missing one or more groups. Are you getting 5 servings per day of fruits and vegetables? Look at your portion sizes, do you tend to take larger helpings of certain foods? Look at where you typically eat. Eating in front of the television, while reading, in the car, or on the run can cause you to eat unconscious and you may consume more than you think. Look at the times of the day that you eat. Do you spread your food out throughout the day or do you tend to eat more in the evening? Are there times during the day when you are typically hungry or are craving a certain food? Look at the emotions you felt while eating. Do you tend to eat when you are bored, sad, stressed, or angry?

Your food diary can help you identify areas in your diet you might want to change. Problems are spotted much more easily. Perhaps you regularly have a high-fat snack every afternoon at 3 p.m. or while watching television in the evenings. Identifying areas where you have trouble can help you plan ahead. If you are typically hungry every day at 3 p.m., plan a nutritious snack then. Keep low-fat nutritious foods on hand that you enjoy. If you are lacking servings of fruits and vegetables, you could have fruit at night when you watch television. Maybe your portions sizes are too large or you typically have seconds. Use a smaller plate, your plate will be full with less on it. Serve yourself and put all left-over food away, not on the table. It’s easier to overeat when food is sitting in front of you. If you want a second helping, wait 20 minutes. That’s how long it takes for your stomach to signal your brain that it is full. If you are still hungry after 20 minutes, have a small serving.

Keeping food records can also help you focus on your weight goals. You may think twice before indulging in a high-fat snack when you are not hungry. If you tend to eat more when you are bored, make a list of alternate activities such as reading, taking a short walk, calling a friend, or writing a letter. Post your list on the refrigerator and the next time you are hungry ask yourself if you are really hungry or just bored.

Another option is to wait 15 minutes, if you are still hungry then have a small snack. If you were just bored, chances are you will become involved in something and forget about eating.

Be aware of social situations that trigger eating such as parties, entertaining, or gathering for tea and coffee with friends. Then create ways to avoid overeating. Identifying your eating triggers is half the battle. It is much easier to handle these situations when you know what to expect and have a specific plan to follow.

Using a food diary is just one tool you can use for weight control. Individualize your diary to fit your needs. A diary is a great way to identify areas that may be sabotaging your efforts to adopt a healthier lifestyle or to help keep you conscious of your goals.

Readers may write Laura care of the Pattaya Mail with questions or special topics they would like to see addressed.

Austrian National Day Celebration

Message from Nikolaus Scherk
Ambassador of Austria

On 26 October, Austria celebrates her National Day. On that day, in 1955, Austria regained her full sovereignty and independence after seventeen years of foreign occupation.

The four decades since then have been a particularly peaceful and prosperous period of Austria’s history. The foundation for our country’s spectacular economic development were laid fifty years ago, in 1947, by the American "Marshall Plan" which made an essential input for the reconstruction of Europe, most of which lay in ruins after World War II. This assistance from the United States also gave a major impetus to European integration, though this was perhaps not yet fully recognised at the time. Soon it was realised that more had to be done for the peaceful evolution of Europe. As early as 1957, forty years ago, the European Coal and Steel Community led to the Treaties of Rome, creating a common European market. Today we have every reason to admire the wise statesmanship which in those years inspired the governments of Europe.

Given its location in the center of Europe, Austria has always been very interested in European integration. Thus, Austria at first joined the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and soon concluded several treaties with the European Economic Community (EEC), which was increasingly widening its scope to become the European Union (EU). On 1 January 1995, Austria became a member of the European Union, which now comprises 15 members states.

In the second half of 1998, Austria will take over the Presidency of the European Union, and intends to meet this challenge with all the experience of a country with a long historic tradition and with all the élan of a young EU member. Very important topics will dominate the Austrian Presidency, above all the European Union’s enlargement towards Eastern Europe and the preparation of the European Monetary Union with a common currency for participating countries, the Euro.

Austria is active not only in the European Union, she is also helping to cope with the difficult situation in the Balkans, a part of Europe still in the grip of grave conflicts after years of a murderous war. This open wound in the flank of Europe must be healed, and Austria is doing what it can to help. Austria provides humanitarian assistance to the people of the Balkans who have been extremely hard hit by the dire fate of war, and also takes interest in the future of countries threatened by civil war. As special representative of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the former Austrian Federal Chancellor Franz Vranitzky is working for a peaceful settlement in Albania, one of the hot points of this region.

In commemorating the fateful turn of history of 1955, we can also look back to the very favourable development of the relations between the Republic of Austria and the Kingdom of Thailand during these last decades. Only one year after regaining her independence, in 1956, Austria opened an Embassy in Bangkok. The memorable state visit of Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit to Austria in 1964 opened an era of close cooperation between the two countries.

The Thai-Austrian Technical College (TATC) in Sattahip, founded in 1970 in order to train technicians and skilled workers for the energing manufacturing industry of the Eastern Seaboard, is a lasting showcase of Austria’s development cooperation with Thailand. From the outset, the TATC has been a model school, combining a high level of technical education with excellent technological equipment. Since then, Austria has continued to support the TATC by providing advanced training for the teaching staff at technical colleges in Austria and by periodically replacing used or outdated machines and machine tools with new up-to-date equipment.

On account of Thailand’s rapid economic development in the eighties, our cooperation shifted to the field of science and research, in particular with Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and Chiang Mai University, but involving a total of seven Thai Universities. Other examples of forward-looking cooperation activities in the field of human resources development by Austria in Thailand are:

The creation of the Thai-Austrian Center for Computer Assisted Chemical Education and Research in Bangkok.

Education in advanced computer-aided manufacturing technology, in cooperation with Rajamangala Institute of Technology, covering 14 technical schools in and around Bangkok, and;

The establishment of an Institute of Hotel and Tourism Management in Kao Yai. Austria is convinced to hereby make fruitful and long-term contributions to the advancement of Thailand’s economy.

Since 1996, Thailand and Austria are partners in the ASEM process which is bound to open an era of increased political and economic cooperation between Europe and Asia.

On the occasion of Austria’s National Day, I therefore wish to express my satisfaction about the current excellent state of the relations between Austria and Thailand and to extend my warm greetings to all Austrians enjoying the hospitality of Thailand as well as to all Thai friends of our country.

Nikolaus Scherk

Ambassador of Austria

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The Country and its People

Austria is a landlocked country located in southern Central Europe. Its territory includes the Eastern Alps and part of the Danube Region, and it adjoins the Mediterranean Region. Its surface area totals 83,855 km2.

As a result of its location, Austria has since time immemorial served as a junction on the travel routes between the major European economic and cultural areas. It has common borders with eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

A wide variety of landscapes, climatic zones and vegetation come together in this European heartland. Its landscapes range from mountains and hills to plains. Its highest elevation is the peak of the Grossglockner (3,797 metres). Its most important river is the Danube, which passes through Austria for 350 km.

Austria enjoys a temperate climate, influenced by the temperate Atlantic climate in the west and northwest and the continental climate in the east. Precipitation levels increase from east to west and with altitude.

Austria’s topographical and climate diversity has given it rich flora and fauna. Austria is one of Europe’s most heavily wooded countries.

According to the latest national census (1991) Austria has a population of 7,795,786. Of these, 98% were German-speaking. In southern and eastern Austria there are ethnic groups speaking Slovene, Croatian and Hungarian.

In terms of religious affiliations, 78% of Austrians are Roman Catholic, 5% Protestant (primarily Augsburg Confession), 4.5% belong to other religious communities, 9% have no religious affiliations and 3.5% made no disclosure.

Austria's History

The area covered by modern-day Austria was settled in prehistoric times. Around the birth of Christ it was incorporated in the Roman Empire, which collapsed in the upheavals of the tribal migrations.

Around 800 AD Charlemagne (Karl der Grosse) established the Carolingian March between the Danube and the Drava to serve as a bulwark against the Avars. In 976 the Babenbergs were enfeoffed with parts of this area, which was declared a duchy in 1156. After the death of the last Babenberg in 1282, the Habsburgs-originally from Swabia-took power in the Duchy of Austria. By dint of a shrewd policy of morganatic marriages and strategic alliances, they amassed an empire. From the 15th century onwards virtually every Habsburg ruler was crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

In 1522 the Habsburg dynasty split into a Spanish and an Austrian line. In 1526 the Austrian Habsburgs inherited Bohemia and Hungary, laying the foundations for the later conglomerate empire. After Austria’s repulsion of the Turks in the 16th century and its defeat of the Ottoman army in the late 17th century, it began to emerge as a major power. In the course of the 18th century Empress Maria Theresia and her son Joseph II carried out sweeping reforms which marked the birth of a modern state (central state administration, compulsory schooling, abolition of serfdom).

Emperor Franz I established the Empire of Austria in 1804, renouncing the now meaningless crown of the Holy roman Empire two years later. The Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary came into being in 1867, disappearing in 1918 in the wake of the First World War.

In the same year the Republic of Austria was proclaimed. Now a small country, it was the first to fall victim to Hitler’s aggression. In 1945 Austria again declared its independence (Second Republic), although it was to be occupied by the armies of the Allies (Britain, France, the Soviet Union and the United States) for a further ten years. In 1955 Austria regained its sovereignty. In the same year the Austrian Parliament en-
acted the law governing
this country’s permanent
neutrality, which has remained the cornerstone of its foreign policy ever since.

Culture

Austria is a country with a rich cultural past which it fosters in the present. Given its undisputed function as a crossroads and intermediary, it is recognised worldwide as a major power in cultural terms. Its all-embracing cultural heritage ranges from a millennium of architectural history to the fine arts in every form and from concerts, drama and festivals to folklore. Austria has renowned orchestras (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra) and choruses (Winer Männergesangsverein, Vienna Boys’ Choir), and its concert programmes range from early to contemporary music.

Austria’s literature covers nine centuries. Its first outstanding achievement was the "Nibelungenlied" ("The Lay of the Nibelungs"), written around 1200. The great nineteenth-century dramatists still performed at Vienna’s Burghtheater today include Franz Grillparzer and the two popular playwrights Ferdinand Raimund and Johann Nestroy. Amongst the foremost Austrian writers of the twentieth century are Arthur Schnitzler, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Stefan Zweig, Robert Musil, Ödön von Horvath, Heimito von Doderer and Thomas Bernhard. The best known of contemporary Austrian writers is Peter Handke.

The Austrian musical tradition witnessed its first great heyday during the classical age. Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms and Anton Bruckner all lived in Vienna. Gustav Mahler’s symphonies transcend the world of tonality. Arnold Schönberg, the founder of twelve-tone music, Alban Berga and Anton Webern constituted the "Second Viennese School". The "Waltz King" Johann Strauss also lived and worked in Vienna, which was like-wise the home of other operetta composers like Karl Millöcker, Karl Zeller and Franz Lehar. The Vienna State Opera has contributed significantly to Austria’s reputation as a land of music, as have the country’s countless festivals. These extend from Lake Constance in the far West (Bregenz Festival) to Lake Neusiedl in the East (Mörbisch Lake Festival). Austria’s most prestigious presentation of its cultural heritage, however, is the annual Salzburg Festival, which has been in existence since 1920.

Czech National Day

Message from Dr. Jan Becka
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic

Today, October 28, the Czech people commemorate the anniversary of that day in 1918 when the independent state of Czechs and Slovaks, Czechoslovakia, was formed. After a peaceful division of Czechoslovakia on January 1, 1993, the Czech Republic, as one of its successor states, choose to retain October 28, because it symbolizes, to many Czechs, the traditions of their statehood as well as democratic ideals they cherish.

On the auspicious occasion of the Czech National Day, it is my privilege as well as pleasure to convey the best greetings and sincere good wishes of the Government and people of the Czech Republic to Their Majesties, the King and Queen, the Royal Family, as well as the Government and people of Thailand.

The Czech Republic is a Central European country consisting of historical lands of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia which have formed the core of the Czech State since the Early Middle Ages. In 1993 the Czech Republic re-emerged as a democratic state which has been undergoing a major transformation towards the establishment of a market-oriented economy.

This transformation is manifested, among many other things, by the admission of the country as a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 1995. In the near future, the Czech Republic hopes to become also a member of NATO and a full member of the European Union.

Although many problems encountered during the process of transformation still persist and the more recent years were not easy, particularly in the economic field, the Czechs are confident of the growing status of their country as that of a developed and democratic nation. The Czech Republic is endowed with a rich cultural heritage and high quality human resources, undoubtedly assets for further economic growth and social progress.

For the Czech Republic, its relations with the countries of South East Asia, particularly Kingdom of Thailand, are of a great importance. The foundations for the maintenance of good bilateral relations, laid during the State Visit of Czech President Václav Havel to Thailand in 1994, are firmly in place. Over the past few years, Thai-Czech relations have steadily developed on various levels. Bilateral economic and trade relations are continuing to grow, Thailand being one of the most important business partners of the Czech Republic in the region. People-to-people contacts, through tourism and cultural exchange, have also expanded. Thailand is a favourite destination for many Czech travellers, while, on the other hand, the Czech Republic, namely its capital city of Prague (Praha), are increasingly popular with Thai visitors. There is, of course, still a great potential on both sides for greater business links and cooperation, especially in industry, technology and tourism. I wish to express the hope that the bonds of friendship between our two countries and their people will continue to grow in the year that lies ahead.

Dr. Jan Becka

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic

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The principal tourist centre of the Czech Republic is its capital Prague. Tourists and visitors arrive there to admire the city’s historical buildings, its architecture dating from past centuries. A natural supplement of this beautiful environment is the music performed in the historical halls, which augment the artistic appeal of the works of world composers and their presentation. Prague has more than 50,000 beds available for tourists, including 35,000 in hotels. The accommodation capacity of the Czech capital is increasing, and many world hotel chains, such as Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Ritz-Carlton, are seeking possibilities to build their hotels there. It is these hotels that will provide highest quality services even for the most discerning guests visiting the pearl of central Europe.

There are many historical towns in the Czech Republic which are worth visiting. The most beautiful among them include Ceský Krumlov, which is protected as a typical medieval town, and Telc, with a Renaissance castle and unique architecture. Another such town is Cheb, one of the oldest historical towns at the crossing point of two cultures, situated near the Czech Republic’s western border. Prachatice, Olomouc and Kromeriz also attract admiration, as many other towns do, such as Ceske Budejovice, Jindrichuv Hradec, Trebon and Tabor in south Bohemia, Domazlice and Loket in the west and Litomerice in the north of Bohemia. The tourist centre of the Czech paradise is Jicin. Visitors to central Bohemia will be attracted by the architecture of Kutna Hora. An interesting town in Moracia is Jihlava. Other towns which should not be left out, especially by the lovers of good wine, are Znojmo and Mikuloc near the Austrian border.

An increasing number of history lovers come to see the famous Karlstejn, a Gothic castle built by Charles IV, and the castles of Zvikov and Krivoklat. Other famous castles are Konopiste, with refined architecture, and Hluboka nad Vltavou, built in the English-Gothic revival style. Very picturesque are the ruins of the castles Rabi, Trosky, Helfstejn and Hukvaldy.

A large number of tourists are attracted by Czech nature. There are many quiet places inviting to rest and hiking, while others provide opportunities for very exacting tours in the mountains. The steep walls of unique rock towns are an attraction for mountaineers, while the slopes of the Krkonose, Krusne hory, Sumava, Beskydy, Jeseniky mountains invite skiers in winter and hikers during the rest of the year. All these places and many others are sought by photographers, painters and poets.

Visitors and tourists, especially those coming from large towns, will be interested in seeing the open air museums of old Czech and Moravian architecture at Trebic, Prerov nad Labem, Kourim and Roznov pod Radhostem. Equally rewarding are visits to the "living" villages and little towns with original rural architecture of past centuries. The most interesting among them are, for example, Hudlice, Zloukovice, Skyrje, Kublov, Zbecno, Holanovice and Plastovice. Folklore lovers have opportunity to see painted houses in the south Moravian townlet of Straznice, where they can also admire traditional Moravian fold costumes. Other regions with a wealth of folk costumes are those around Domazlice, the centre of the Chod people, once guardians of the Czech frontier, and the Wallachian region in the north of Moravia.

The Czech Republic is known for its spas. The hot springs of the curative waters at Teplice v Cechach were known already in Celtic times. For centuries, people suffering from motoric and cardio-vascular diseases have sought a cure from its radioactive waters. Janske Lazne in the foothills of the Krkonose specializes in the treatment of polio patients and those suffering from diseases of the nervous system. Podebrady is known for the treatment of heart diseases. People with motoric systems not functioning well seek relief in the south Bohemian spa of Trebon. The largest Moravian spa, Luhacovice, has very good effects in the treatment of respiration and metabolic diseases. The fame of the north Moravian spa of Jesenik is linked with the water cure method of the renowned physician Vincence Priessnitz.

The largest and best known Bohemian spa, however, is Karlovy Vary. It was founded by Czech King Charles IV (1316-1378). Its twelve hot springs are used in the treatment of disorders of the digestive tract. The nearby spa of Marianke Lazne is known for its beneficial effects in the treatment of kidney diseases, respiration ailments and diseases of the motor system. The "Cheb Water" (Egerer Wasser) was known already far back in the Middle Ages and was exported from Frantiskovy Lazne to all parts of Austria-Hungary. Another West Bohemian spa, Jachymov, too, is known for its hot radioactive springs. The curative effects of its springs are beneficial especially in the treatment of the motoric apparatus and the nervous system.

A little bit heavy, but very palatable, is the Czech cuisine, in particular its different regional specialties. And of course the good Czech beer and Moravian wine or plum brandy (slivorice). The herb liqueur Becherovka is often jokingly referred to as the Karlovy Vary thirteenth spring.

Prague, Brno and other cities provide very favourable opportunities for the organisation of various exhibitions and trade fairs. They are also frequent venues for congresses and all kinds of meetings at all levels.

The greatest attractions are music festivals, the best known of which is "Prague Spring" held regularly since the end of the Second World War. From May 12 to June 2 each year, music lovers have an opportunity to enjoy works by old as well as modern composers presented by the world’s leading artists and orchestras. Another festival attracting visitors to the Czech Republic is the Prague Cultural Summer, where the enjoyment of beautiful music is enhanced by the enchanting atmosphere of Prague’s medieval gardens.

Admirers of genuine Czech brass music should not forget to visit the Kmoch Festival at Kolin, a town only a few dozen kilometres away from Prague. Lovers of folk music, on the other hand, have an opportunity in July to attend the festivals at Straznice and Roznov pod Radhostem. Other towns, and in particular the spas, also have their cultural festivals. In August, for example, visitors of Marianske Lazne may enjoy concerts during the Chopin Music Festival held in memory of the famous composer and his stay in that watering place. Brno is building a new tradition with its International Music Days, while Prague is the venue for the regular International Jazz Festival. Very interesting are the International Bagpipe Festivals held at Strakonice every other year.

Turkey celebrates National Day

History of the Republic of Turkey and the principles of Atatürk

Over the centuries, the Turks established many independent states and developed their own civilisations in different parts of Asia and Anatolia. The Ottomans created the greatest and most powerful state in Turkish history. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Ottoman Empire collapsed and after a national War of Independence, today’s Turkish Republic took its place among the independent and modern states of the contemporary world.

When the Allied powers occupied and partitioned Anatolia after World War I, Mustafa Kemal, later surnamed Atatürk-Father of the Turks- (1881-1938), mobilised the Turks in Anatolia into a cohesive resistance force. He and his followers rejected the partition of the country and drove the opposing forces out of Anatolia. The Turkish nation started its War of Independence in 1919, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

After a victorious defence of the homeland for four years, the Treaty of Lausanne was signed with the Allies on July 23, 1923, which approved Mustafa Kemal’s governmental sovereignty over Turkey’s present borders. At this historical point, Turkey became internationally recognised as an independent state and on October 13, 1923, Ankara was declared the capitol city of the newly independent Turkey.

The Turkish Grand National Assembly proclaimed the Republic on October 29, 1923 and Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, was elected the Republic’s fist president.

He claimed that the military victory was not sufficient and that it had to be followed by profound economic, political, social and cultural reforms aimed at the modernisation of Turkey. On the other hand, the ultimate goal of Atatürk’s thinking was to make contributions to universal peace, happiness and prosperity.

Atatürk’s revolutionary reforms were based on an aggregate of theories called Kemalism and the nature of the Kemalist ideology can be described in terms of six basic principles:

Nationalism

The main objective of the Kemalist revolution was to create an independent national state whose basis was the national resistance spirit. The last stage reached today in the development of societies is the nation. Through Nationalism, Atatürk gave his own people a national identity and the Turkish Nation reached the final victory by orientation to the national objectives and common interests. The nation is not a race, but a togetherness of spirits and a moral medium moulded by history. The spirit of nationality, or simply nationalism, appears as a deep-rooted psychological affinity with and respect for the national history and successes and miseries in the past. This spirit does not solely consist of an appreciation of the past and of the things which occurred in the past. There is another factor of nationalism: the aims, hopes and expectations directed to the future.

Populism

The principle of Populism symbolises the contemporary concept of democracy, and the rational nationalism that can develop and flourish only in free and democratic countries. Populism is a cornerstone of the state and is a form of the consciousness of national sovereignty. The nation shall be governed by individuals elected by the people. Their duty is to defend the country’s independence both at domestic and international levels. Parallel to the essence of this principle it has been guaranteed in the Turkish laws that each Turkish citizen possesses equal rights regardless of race, sex creed etc., and the state treats them equally.

Secularism

Secularism, a corollary of democracy, best characterises Atatürk’s modern society and the young Turkish Republic. This principle provides for the administration of the state by contemporary laws based on scientific fact as well as for freedom of thought distinct from the pressure of any type of dogma.

Statism

Statism was admitted into the political life of Turkey in 1936 as one of the basic characteristics of the Turkish State by a constitutional amendment. The statism adopted by Turkey retains individual initiative as the basic factor while it commits the state, particularly in the field of economics, to raise the country to a high level of welfare taking into account the general and high interest of the nation.

Republicanism

As for Republicanism, with this principle Turkish reforms find concrete backing in the structural nature of the state. Turkey is a state, governed by democratic principles and democracy itself is basically political, intellectual and egalitarian.

Reformism

The principle of Reformism is instrumental in following up developments and advances in the world of science. Through reformism, Turkey can reach the level of contemporary civilisation. The six basic principles constitute the roots of the Republic of Turkey.

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