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South Africans celebrate Freedom Day
27 April
Message from H.E. JG Janse Van Rensburg
Ambassador of South Africa to Thailand
Again, the past year has been an eventful one also for South Africa.
Like so many other countries in the world, we have not been spared certain set-backs which
has a profound influence on development in our country and on the well-being of its
citizens, specifically on the economic front. However, although economic growth over the
last year was less encouraging and not on the level which we had hoped for, South Africa
did not experience the kind of paralysing economic turbulence that was the lot of so many
countries at our level of development. We are very fortunate that over the past South
Africa was blessed with weather conditions exceptionally conducive to an excellent
agricultural output, the South African economy has continued to become more competitive
leading to increased exports, tourism has grown at an impressive rate and foreign
investment increased substantially, although not at a pace that we expected. Without at
all becoming complacent, South Africa can therefore in general look back with relative
satisfaction to what has been achieved over the past year.
 On the internal
political front there was a marked acceleration noticeable in the process of
nation-building and reconciliation, to the extent that it seems to have developed a
momentum of its own. Although many problems and obstacles still lie ahead, these
developments are to me a sure sign that South Africa is well on its way to becoming the
truly democratic and winning nation which it was destined to be. Internationally, South
Africa, a country which not so many years ago was a true pariah state in the eyes of the
world, has further consolidated its relations with the international community. We are
especially proud as a country that we have continued to broaden our relations with
developing countries of Asia, a region which now has become our second largest trading
partner after Europe. South Africa’s Chairmanship of NAM, SADC and UNCTAD entrusted
it with special responsibilities and in that role enabled it be a significant spokesperson
for the interests and concerns of the developing world.
The excellent relations that have always existed between South Africa
and Thailand have been strengthened further over the past year as reflected in so many
spheres. South Africa was honoured by the highly successful official visit earlier this
year by Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn. A number of other high level visits were
exchanged by the two countries which contributed to further solidify these ties, amongst
others the visit in September 1998 of His Excellency Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan.
Closer cooperation in a number of fields was given considerable impetus, namely in
education, agriculture, tourism, science and technology. Bilateral trade continued to grow
and in the process Thailand’s exports to South Africa showed a healthy increase in
comparison with 1997. As far as South African exports to Thailand are concerned, it gives
me great pleasure to announce that Thailand now occupies the first position of South
African trading partners in ASEAN, improving from its 4th position in 1997. Thailand has
now become one of South Africa’s leading trading partners in the whole of Asia.
I look forward in the year ahead to work for the further strengthening
of relations between South Africa and Thailand and on this occasion when all South
Africans will be celebrating Freedom Day, I wish to express the hope that the strong bonds
of friendship between our two countries will continue to grow in future.
H.E. JG Janse Van Rensburg
Ambassador of South Africa to Thailand
Israel enjoyed 51st
Anniversary of Independence - 21st April
Message from David Matnai Ambassador of
Israel to the Kingdom of Thailand
It is with great pleasure that I add my best wishes on the occasion of
the 51st Anniversary of the Independence of Israel on the 21st of April.
It is of great importance that Israel and Thailand know about each
other deeper and wider, especially when beyond the trade, 21,000 Thai workers are at any
given time in Israel employed with Israeli farmers, their presence created bonds beyond
the employer-employee relations, and we hope that some of the technology they learn in
Israel can be implemented in Thailand upon their return.
At the same time both Israel and Thailand are exchanging cultural
events to the benefit of both societies. Tourists from Israel, more than 40,000 per year,
brought back with them, not only happy souvenirs, photographs but also taste of Thai
things, like Thai food and Thai spices.
I wish this supplement to be a tool to strengthen these relations.
David Matnai
Ambassador of Israel to the Kingdom of Thailand
Israel - historic
homeland of the Jewish people
The Land
Israel, land of the Bible and the historic homeland of the Jewish
people, is situated in the Middle East, along the eastern coastline of the Mediterranean
Sea, and forms part of a land bridge linking three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. In
this land, the Jewish people began to develop its distinctive religion and culture some
4,000 years ago, and here it has preserved an unbroken physical presence, for centuries as
a sovereign state, at other times under foreign domination.
 Jerusalem - the Basilica of the Holy
Sepulchre.
Long and narrow in shape, the country is about 290 miles (470 km) in
length from north to south and some 85 miles (135 km) across at its widest point between
the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean coast. Israel is bordered by Lebanon in the north,
Syria to the northeast, Jordan in the east, Egypt in the southwest and the Mediterranean
Sea to the west.
Although small in size, Israel encompasses the varied topographical
features and climates of a continent. In the north, the forested highlands of Galilee
merge with fertile green valleys; sand dunes and farmland mark the coastal plain bordering
the Mediterranean shoreline; the rocky peaks of the Samarian and Judean mountain ranges in
the center of the country descend sharply to the semi-tropical Jordan Valley and the Dead
Sea, the lowest place on earth. Mountainous deserts, stretching southward through the
Negev and Arava, end at the Gulf of Eilat, the northernmost tip of the Red Sea.
Climate
The country’s temperate climate is characterized by much sunshine,
with a rainy season from November to April. Total annual precipitation ranges from about
20-50 inches (50-125 cm) in the north to less than an inch (2.5 cm) in the far south.
Regional climatic conditions vary considerably: hot, humid summers and mild, wet winters
in the coastal plain; dry, comfortably warm summers and moderately cold winters, with rain
and occasional light snow in the hill regions; hot, dry summers and pleasant winters in
the Jordan Valley; and year-round, semi-arid conditions, with warm to hot days and cool
nights in the south.
 Nazareth -
the Basilica of the Annunchiation.
Water
Since water is scarce in the region, intense efforts are made to
maximize the use of what is available and to seek new prospective resources. In the 1960s,
the country’s fresh water sources were joined in an integrated national grid, whose
main artery, the National Water Carrier, brings water from the north and center of the
country to the semi-arid south through a network of pipes, aqueducts, open canals,
reservoirs, tunnels, dams and pumping stations. Ongoing projects for the utilization of
new sources include cloud seeding, recycling of sewage water and the desalination of sea
water.
Flora and Fauna
The rich variety of Israel’s plant and animal life reflects its
geographical location as well as its varied topography and climate. Over 380 kinds of
birds, some 70 mammal and 80 reptile species, and nearly 3,000 plant types (150 of which
are native to Israel) are found within its borders. About 120 nature reserves,
encompassing nearly 400 square miles (almost 1,000 sq. km), have been established
throughout the country, with several hundred additional sites in the planning stage. |
Khao Kheow completes petting zoo
Three years after they began, at a cost of 20 million
baht, officials at Khao Kheow open zoo in Sriracha have opened their new children’s
petting zoo and school.
Occupying 5368 square meters, the downstairs of the building contains
an animal kingdom filled with young animals that children can pet. The upper floor of the
building contains a "zoo school" which can be used as a library and classrooms
by young academics from all schools.
 The Children’s Zoo and zoo school
located inside the Khao Kheow Zoo.
The zoo and school will give children and young students a chance to
feel animals and see with their own eyes their natural beauty. This will help the children
of today to grow with a better understanding of animals and gain a better knowledge on
their behavior and nature. They will also learn how to care for our nature and environment
here in Pattaya. Finally, it gives the children a clearer view on why there is a zoo and
what kind of animals can be bread or domesticated.
MP Suppatra Masdit, minister responsible for looking after the Khao
Kheow Zoo, presided over the opening. Sophon Dumnoui, president of Khao Kheow Zoo,
welcomed the honored guests.
 Enjoying the many attractions at the
new Khao Kheow Children’s Zoo, located inside the grounds of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
Pisit Na Pathalung, president of the zoo organization, spoke of how the
opening followed the policies of the government and the administrators of the zoo to serve
young adolescents and children. A similar attraction already exists in Chiang Mai, while
Nakhorn Ratchasima and Songkhla are in the process of completing such programs.
After the ministers and honored guests were given a tour of the new
facilities, an animal presentation was performed. Animals such as the elephant twins, the
only in the world, a chimpanzee, and a falcon, among others, were brought in for the
presentation.
This show will continue to take place at 11:00 and 15:00 daily for the
public.
Those interested to get further information can contact the Khao Kheow Zoo at
038-338-390 or 298-188.
Economic crisis widespread, but
glimmer of hope seen
Poverty increases as health, education
suffer
From Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire
The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific last week
released its annual ‘state-of-the-union’ survey. It shows how deeply the
economic crisis has hurt many of the countries, what are some of the positive signs
emerging and how greater usage of Information Technology can help alleviate the crisis.
BANGKOK (United Nations Information Service) — The economic crisis
that began in Asia in 1997 has turned out to be more long lasting, widespread and deeper
than had been foreseen, causing dramatic and severe social problems with unemployment and
poverty increasing rapidly in several countries. As many as seven economies in mainland
Asia suffered negative growth in 1998 compared to none in 1996 and only one in 1997.
These are some of the key conclusions of the United Nations Economic
and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in its 1999 Economic and Social
Survey of Asia and the Pacific released last week.
Poverty increased dramatically in Indonesia from 11% to 40%, in
Thailand from 11 to 15% and in Malaysia from under 7% to 8%. In Thailand estimates of drop
outs from education are over 200,000 with about half the range at the primary level. The
Indonesia overall estimate is 25%. Unemployment increased from 4.7% in 1997, to 21% in
1998 in Indonesia, 2.7% to 6.4% in Malaysia, 2.6% to 7.7% in the Republic of Korea and in
Thailand from 1.9% to 4.4.%.
"The Governments’ ability to address social problems has been
constrained by reduced revenues and in some cases by the conditions of the bailout
packages. However, some of these conditions were recently relaxed," states the
Survey. The overall economic prospects will continue to be uncertain.
"Internationally, the weak state of the Japanese economy, possible slowdown in the EU
and despite its recent strengths, likely flattening of growth in the US economy in 1999
are the more immediate sources of uncertainty".
World financial markets have displayed increased volatility, commodity
prices have weakened and international capital flows to developing countries, especially
debt flows, have declined. The growth performance of developing countries in the ESCAP
region as a group in 1998 was dismal.
GDP growth fell from 5.8% in 1997 to 0.2% in 1998. The forecast for
1999, however, is 3.6%. In South and South-West Asia, it increased from 4.6% to 5.3% in
1998.
It is expected to grow to 5.6% in 1999. In South-East Asia the GDP
growth sharply fell from 4.3% in 1997 to -6.2% in 1998, and is only expected to rise to
0.4% in 1999. In East and North-East Asia, the GDP went down from 7.0% in 1997 to 1.5% in
1998 but is expected to reach 4.4.% in 1999.
The growth performance in the Pacific island
economies
Except for Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, which have substantial
trading links with Asian developing countries, and to a lesser extent Fiji, the Asian
crisis did not have a direct impact on Pacific island economies. However, many of them
were indirectly affected because of the impact of the crisis in Australia, Japan and New
Zealand, which together absorb a sizeable portion of Pacific island countries’
exports. In addition, the drought associated with the El Nino weather phenomenon affected
most Pacific island countries and was largely responsible for their poor economic
performance.
Although the economic crisis has a severe impact on several economies
of the ESCAP region, a mild recovery is predicted towards the latter part of 1999.
However, the Survey points out that this will depend on the balance
between "a number of positive and negative factors at work, both internationally and
within the economies of the region." The positive signs are that current accounts
have shown major improvements; foreign exchange reserves have been substantially rebuilt;
exchange rates and stock markets have noticeably recovered; interest rates have declined
significantly and inflationary pressures have generally remained subdued.
Some policy recommendations made by the Survey: At the national level,
there is a need to restructure corporate and financial structure, more effective
institutional arrangements for financial sector governance, greater transparency in
corporate affairs. However, national level action is not sufficient.
At the international level, there should be improvement in emergency
assistance, better supervision of capital flows and a more equitable delineation of the
roles of foreign creditors and debtors in situations of debt servicing difficulties.
At the regional level, there should be greater co-operation in
financial sector supervision, establishment of common prudential standards and the
development of early warning systems.
The Survey recommends the establishment of an Asian Fund and a Social
Fund and unemployment insurance schemes.
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The Survey also contains the study for the theme topic of the 55th
session of the Commission, 22-28 April 1999, "Asia and Pacific into the Twenty-First
Century: Information Technology, Globalization, Economic Security and Development."
The Survey notes that in 1997 the world-wide market for Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) was $1.8 trillion or 6% of world GDP, and growing. ICT
investment in the ESCAP region grew at 15% a year during 1992-97.
World-wide, the Internet now connects 25 to 30 million users in more
than 140 countries: it will reach over 200 million by 2000. The Survey points out that the
spread of use of ICT is both an outcome and a determinant of the process of globalization;
that it both boosts economic growth and escalates risks to the economic security of
countries. The Survey concludes that new and more complex ICT applications will continue
to change development paradigms and present a challenge to governments.
"However, ICT itself is a tool, not a threat: rather its
application determines whether it creates or solves problems.
"Thus governments and the international community needs to set
ground rules and codes of conduct and monitor them through ICT means, especially in the
trade and financial areas. Important legal issues at domestic and international levels
have to be addressed," the Survey states. Governments of developing countries have to
develop their own ICT policy, promote skill development, and increasingly use ICT in
government administrations.
The Survey suggests that applications of ICT can provide a major
opportunity to tackle problems of income inequality and poverty so prevalent in several
Asian countries, as these applications are not bound by geography or access to traditional
physical infrastructure like phone lines.
Rather they can open up a window to the world of trade, education,
investment and human communication for poor and remote communities.
Countries which do not adjust to the new ICT intensive world will be
increasingly marginalized. Some major points about ICT:
Use of ICT alters the competitive position of
countries
ICT reduces the importance of economies of scale
and encourages smaller, more dispersed production units as well as networks within and
between companies, both TNCs and national ones. Evidence in the ESCAP region includes the
textile, automobile, and electronic industries. NIEs and ASEAN have shown that blending
national ICT policies and capabilities with imported technology and FDI can lead to
accelerated production, export and absorption of ICT products.
The economic security of countries can be threatened through the
increasingly footloose nature of both foreign direct investment and domestic investment.
This puts added pressure on the crucial role of economic governance (legal and regulatory
systems) in attracting investment.
The future is Internet commerce
It is predicted that Internet economy will reach
$500 billion by 2002. While there is only experimental use with Internet commerce in the
region at present, there are many moves afoot to encourage its use by both large and small
firms as the Internet saves transaction costs, brings the world market to one’s
doorstep and increases the efficiency of business operations. The major problems with
Internet commerce such as legality of electronic signatures, electronic contracts,
security of business, assurance of connectivity, etc., need to be tackled at the global
level. Many governments in the region are using or have plans to use ICT for rapid customs
clearance for exports and imports, transport logistics, and promotion of trade and
investment (electronic catalogues, virtual exhibitions, etc.)
The financial sector is a major user of ICT
Banking in the region is increasingly done
through ICT. 245,000 ATMs (one third of the world total) were in operation in the region
in 1997 and increasing rapidly. However, back office use of ICT in banks, financial firms
and central supervisory institutions lags in almost all countries of the region.
Securities markets in the region, though small, thin and illiquid, are all modernizing
into electronic markets and using ICT to improve supervision and regulation. Use of ICT by
institutional investors and hedge funds increased exposure of Asian capital markets to
reversals and contagion: the Survey suggests that the solution is better international
coordination, monitoring and regulatory standards based on use of ICT.
Also, governments need to implement ICT based systems for their own
financial system supervision to cope with the effects of global flows and to reduce
corruption.
Nok Shop!
A Bird Show was held at the Pattaya Festival last
weekend. The species judged was the Nok Parod Hua Jook or Red Whiskered Bulbuls.
Very popular amongst the Thais and abundant in the north especially
around Chaing Mai, these little birds can set you back anywhere between ten thousand and
one hundred thousand Baht. Not to be sneezed at, especially as they are not exactly hardy
and can fall off the perch very easily. The hardy ones were presented with their trophies
by Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat.
Red Whiskered Bulbuls are sociable and noisy, making musical whistling calls. They are
black, white and red in colour with a funny little black topknot. Apparently Bulbuls make
their nests out of twigs and leaves, carefully tie them up with spider’s web then
they line them with soft grass and horse hair. A comfortable nest for an expensive bird.
Family day to celebrate Sikh
anniversary
On April 14th 1999, Sikhs all over the world celebrated
the 300th anniversary of the birth of Khalsa Panth (The order of Sikhs). This was the
legacy of Guru Gobind Singh - the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, and a way of life to follow.
The year 1999 marks the Tri-centenary of the birth of Khalsa, for Sikhs
this is a significant year, and is being celebrated throughout the world.
 Mr. Amrik Singh, President of the Sikh
Association of Pattaya, rolling thunder to get the Khalsa Panth anniversary celebration a
bowling tournament under way.
The Sikh Community in Pattaya celebrated the 300th anniversary of the
birth of Khalsa at the Sikh Temple, Soi 17, South Pattaya. At the temple Shabad and
Gurbani (Sikh prayers & hymns) were recited and sung. A competition of Arabh Siri
Akand Path (A continuous 48 hours recitation of holy book of Sikhs) was also held. After
the ceremony of Bhog Siri Akhand Path, Shabad, Kirtan every one in the congregation sat
down for Guru ka Langar, which are Free Community Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
A bowling tournament was also held at the Pattaya Bowl on the 10th of
April as part of the celebrations.
50 Sikh bowlers participated in the tournament. At the opening
ceremony, Mr. Paramjit Singh related to the crowd the purpose of the tournament. The Mayor
of Pattaya, Pairat Suthithamrongsawat then spoke to the Sikh congregation expressing his
good wishes and affection for the Sikh community in Pattaya. He then officially opened the
tournament by bowling the first ball. Other inaugural bowlers were City Counselor Adisorn
Pol-lookin, Mr. Amrik Singh, President of the Sikh Association of Pattaya, and Pratheep
Malhotra, Managing Director of Pattaya Mail.
The tournament was played throughout the day and the winners received their trophies at
the Sikh temple on the auspicious day of Visakhi.
Ladies like lager!
Walking Street lived up to its reputation as THE
INTERSTING PLACE last week with the Pattaya Festival’s Beer Drinking Competition. The
emcee, Don MacLachlan of the dark brown voice, extolled the virtues of the light brown
fluid, while the movers and shakers of the Walking Street Committee, Khun Naris (Naris
Galleries), Khun Toy (King Seafood) and Khun Amarin (Golden Mile) moved and shook in time
with the Singha Beer Band.
Dynamic Don whipped up the crowd to a frenzy while the Singha Beer
girls whipped up five large jugs of beer for each group of contestants. With the object of
the exercise being the first to guzzle gallons of beer in sub record times, many of the
contestants could be seen practising in the adjoining bars. Some, it is rumoured had
actually been practising all year!
The televised International Ladies Lager Championship saw a star
studded finale with two of the local Thai girls pitted against two blond Amazons from
Russia and another Euro lady from Holland. The crowd reached fever pitch as the athletes
"stripped down" on the starting blocks, ready for action. (One of the watching
crowd appeared to join in the stripping down, too, and had lost most of hers with
anticipation!)
After a false start, when one of the Russians did not wait till the
final count of three, it was decided by the judges that because of language barriers all
five could have a restart for this all important final. At the gun, it was neck and neck
for the first half a litre, but slowly Russian Team Leader Lydia from Leningrad and little
Dutch girl Rosie from Rotterdam gulped their way to the front. At the flag the judges
called for a photo to decide and it was declared a tie between Lydia and Rosie.
Both winners thanked Singha Beer and Walking Street with resounding
burps while the runners up threw up into strategically placed buckets.
It was a wonderful example of multi-national co-operation and competition. However, it
will be necessary for us, as the host nation, to improve. Local teams have returned to
training at several hostelries all over Pattaya to attempt to wrest the trophy back to
Walking Street. Gasp! Glug!
Top Dog Awards!
Dogs from all over Thailand excelled themselves at the
Pattaya World Dog Center with a top class Dog Show and Competition last week to celebrate
the Pattaya Festival.
The show was adjudged by local and international judges and over four
hundred dogs attended. The festival competition was even favoured by royal patronage. Her
Royal Highness Princess Siriwan Varee Mahidol, not only bestowed trophies but entered four
of her own dogs, two Labradors, Quick and Quassia, one American Cocker Spaniel Susan and
one Shiatsu called C.K. One of the Royal Labradors showed its breeding and won its
category.
 Police handler and Labrador.
The Dog Show was well presented and dynamic. The owners certainly put
the hounds through their paces. They had them running around the ring, stopping and
turning on command, everything except jumping through fiery hoops! The breeds were
dramatically different. Some looked regal, others powerful, some cute and endearing, some
fierce, and some others snappy. It has been said that dogs resemble their owners, but this
was not one of the points judged.
PR Manager for the World Dog Center, Khun Thanatip said, "The most
popular breeds of dog in Thailand are the German Shepherd and the Golden Retriever."
He went on to say, "The show has generated a lot of interest this year with over four
hundred and twenty dogs entered. Show dogs must be pure bred, there are no mutts here.
They must be healthy, look their best and not in heat, obviously."
A judge of the Thai Ridgeback dogs, Police Lt. Col. Pasquat Srithai of
Bangkok Police Education Bureau, spoke to the Pattaya Mail about the Thai Ridgebacks he
loves. "They are loyal, aggressive and yet friendly with children. Very intelligent
dogs, they know how to reason - their intelligence rivals even the Belgian sheep dog. A
pedigree puppy can cost anywhere between one thousand and ten thousand Baht."
Another fascinating winner was the Thai Bang Kaew dog which resembles a
mix of arctic fox and wolf. "Actually, they are a mix of wolf, fox and Thai local
dog," said proud champion breeder from Phitsanulok, Khun Jitti Rimchaisee. "They
can cost anywhere between five thousand and one hundred thousand baht depending on the
pedigree. I am very happy because this two year old here ‘Yok Thai’ has just won
Top of Breed and a special award from H.R.H. Princess Siriwan."
The Dog Show competition was fascinating, even for the non-dog owner. Those who missed
this year’s event can still take in the World Dog Center’s "cabaret"
shows. These are held every day at 9 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the center on Siam
Country Club Road. The cabaret is fun and you are encouraged to go onstage at the end to
meet and familiarize yourself with the different breeds.
Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Created by Andy Gombaz, assisted by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek. |
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