Family Money: Guaranteeing Your Pension Part 3

By Leslie Wright

Over the past fortnight we’ve looked at a couple of options that are available for safeguarding retirement capital.

Two weeks ago we looked at annuities, and last week we discussed ‘guaranteed’ funds.

This week let’s look at some other alternatives for securing capital investments.

Secured Profits Funds

I am often asked about ‘Secured Profits’ funds, inasmuch as the potential investor has heard about these animals, and believes they will safeguard his investment.

Well, these funds are fine if you can take a relatively long term view and are absolutely sure you won’t need to touch the capital in the meantime.

The reason for this is that such funds work on the principle that they will return you the highest price the fund ever reached during a predetermined period.

But if you want to encash them before that set maturity date, you will get only the current bid price, which might even be below the price you bought in at.

Also, because of the ‘secured’ element having to be paid for somehow, the average return on these funds tends to be quite modest, even over a relatively long period.

If you’re a conservative investor who can take, say, a 10-year view before you will need to draw down your capital, such funds may be just what you’re looking for.

But a return of around 6% p.a. (in US$ terms) over a 10-year term is hardly enticing in my view.

Cash & Bonds

Some investors believe that some CD’s (which in this instance are Certificates of Deposit, and certainly don’t play sweet music) and/or a basket of international bonds will do the trick for them.

Well, with interest rates at historically very low levels, CD’s have performed poorly and are not likely to reverse this trend for quite some time to come.

Usually bonds do well when interest rates are falling. Paradoxically, in recent months the story has been different.

The continuing euphoria about stock markets has led investors to shy away from bonds and throw ever more money into the stock market arena - especially in the U.S.

Institutional bond funds also have not performed anywhere near expectations based on fundamental economic theory - which has come as a surprise to many economists and portfolio managers alike.

When will bonds return to favour? When the stock market bubble bursts is the best guess.

Unit Trusts & Insurance Bonds

Creating a portfolio from a variety of low-risk unit trusts is one way to go.

These could be invested into a basket of international currencies (a Managed Currency Fund would be an example), with the hope that the fund managers will produce a better return than your local bank.

Adding some selected international bond funds would increase the potential return without taking on a significantly increased risk (but note the comments above about recent bond performance.)

For medium-risk investors, adding some selected equity funds or specialist funds in non-correlated sectors might be appropriate.

But at this point a portfolio of diverse unit trusts through several firms starts to become administratively unwieldy.

Investing through an ‘umbrella’ vehicle such as an offshore insurance bond (which is simply a lump-sum investment vehicle which accesses a menu of funds, in some cases accessing those of several external fund-management houses) makes the exercise considerably simpler, and in many instances, more cost-effective.

You then have a wide range of funds to choose from, which can be rearranged (or ‘switched’) any time you like, as your personal preferences and market conditions indicate.

Personal Portfolios

If you are fortunate enough to have in excess of US$500,000 to invest, personal portfolio management services are offered by most international banking houses.

However, these banks see their primary role as safeguarding their investors’ capital, rather than achieving significant growth.

Thus if you require only a modest income from your not insubstantial capital, and want to pass on quite a substantial portion of this capital to your heirs & beneficiaries, this might be the most appropriate route for you to follow.

Private banking divisions tend to be inherently ultra-conservative, and tend to invest mostly in government bonds and cash deposits, rather than in equities.

An example which comes to mind is a client who came to see me at the end of last year who was not thrilled to have been informed by his Swiss bank that his capital under their private portfolio management had gained the uninspiring figure of 2.9% over the previous 12 months - a period it is worth noting when European stocks in general performed very well, especially in the second half of the year.

Even having his capital on fixed deposit in US dollars would have performed better; while during that same period the low-risk portfolios I was managing achieved an average return for the year exceeding 17% (but this was, in all fairness, rather exceptional.)

Some people retire relatively young, and therefore expect their capital to last for several decades and keep pace with inflation over a relatively long term, while others want to achieve substantial capital growth, and perhaps draw down a regular income at the same time.

Both these scenarios inherently require a relatively high growth rate.

And a relatively high growth rate usually means exposure to a higher degree of risk and/or volatility.

The return that private banking divisions typically produce is laughable in comparison with such clients’ expectations, so their portfolios have to be very much tailor-made to their own specifications - another aspect which most banks’ portfolio managers are not equipped, able or willing to do.

These worthies get their results by pooling several million dollars/pounds/Swiss Francs of their private clients’ money together, and invest it as a pool. And always within the guidelines of the bank in question. (And these guidelines in many cases include the command, "Thou shalt not invest in equities.")

However, certain well-respected international institutions do cater to high-net-worth clients (which is the term my industry uses for those people with substantial amounts of investment capital) and even medium-net-worth clients (which means those with £100-500,000) of the variety who want their money actively managed for them, but also want a respectable return without a high degree of risk.

Again, this is achieved by economy of scale, in pooling many such investors’ resources together. The returns they generate are respectable, but relatively average.

It is relatively rare to find an individual portfolio manager who will create and manage a highly personalised portfolio (in the sense of it being tailor-made for your particular needs, circumstances, and risk-aversion profile), and has the experience, ability, and access to the highly specialised information needed to do so.

But of course I do know of at least one - right here in Pattaya...

If you have any comments or queries on this article, or about other topics concerning investment matters, write to Leslie Wright, c/o Family Money, Pattaya Mail, or fax him directly on (038) 232522 or e-mail him at [email protected]. Further details and back articles can be accessed on his firm’s website on www.westminsterthailand.com.

Leslie Wright is Managing Director of Westminster Portfolio Services (Thailand) Ltd., a firm of independent financial advisors providing advice to expatriate residents of the Eastern Seaboard on personal financial planning and international investments.

The computer doctor

by Richard Bunch

From Herman Puts, Pattaya: Last year I came to live in Thailand and took my brand-new printer, Epson Stylus Color 600, with me. I installed my printer and everything worked fine.

This year I went to Europe for 2 months so I didn’t use the printer in that time. When I came back and started to work with my computer everything seemed OK until I started to print. The black color refused to appear on my paper. So I changed the black print cartridge, which had no result.

I looked in the manual and it advised me to clean the printer heads with the software based printer utility. After cleaning the printer head 5 times the problem still persisted. The advice of the manual was to contact your ‘Epson Dealer’.

Its difficult to contact the Epson dealer in Europe, so I went to the Asian Epson dealer in Thailand, Saharviraya OA Public Company Ltd. in Bangkok, but they don’t seem to care.

I went to several computer shops in and around Pattaya but they couldn’t help me because they have little knowledge about printers.

I think that some black ink dried up on the printer head so it has to be cleaned manually. If you have a good address or some good information about this problem, I would be very grateful. Thanks in advance.

Computer Doctor replies: When printers go wrong, they can be a little troublesome to put right. That said, if you care to bring it to the office we’d be happy to take a look and if necessary escalate the problem through our distributors. I hope that helps.

From Sheila Mercer, Pattaya: We have recently had a lot of building work carried out at our house. Although I kept the computer covered up, it still attracted a lot of dust. When I turned the computer on for the first time after the builders had left, I smelt burning. I switched off and carefully took the cover off. There was a lot of sawdust inside and I used the hose attachment for the vacuum cleaner to clean it. I was very careful but when I switched the PC back on, having replaced the cover, it was dead. Have you any suggestions please.

Computer Doctor replies: Oh dear, vacuum cleaners are one of the biggest producers of static electricity found in the modern house. The chips inside your PC are adversely affected by static, that is why the more professional service engineers earth their bodies to prevent frying the chips. I’m sorry to say, there is little hope for your PC and if you’ve done a thoroughly good clean then the chances are all the cards will have sustained damage. The best bet now is to take the PC into a dealer so that the full extent of the damage can be assessed. If it really is necessary to clean the inside of your PC then use compressed air.

The comments contained within this column are not necessarily the views of the author or Pattaya Mail Publishing Co., Ltd. Letters may be edited.

Send your questions or comments to the Pattaya Mail at 370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, 20260 or Fax to 038 427 596 or E-mail to [email protected].

Richard Bunch is Managing Director of Action Computer Technologies on South Pattaya Road (900 metres from Sukhumvit Road). Providing total computer and IT solutions to corporate clients and households on the Eastern Seaboard.

Successfully Yours: Sopin Thappajak

by Mirin MacCarthy

What is the connection between the late Princess Diana and a villager from Chiang Mai? The answer is in the story of Khun Sopin (Noi) Thappajak.

Sopin is a village girl from Chiang Mai who has become a renowned and respected businesswoman and community advisor in Pattaya.

She was an only child and went to the local school. She admits that she used to cry in arithmetic lessons, but still went on and finished her secondary education. From there, it was Teachers College in Chiang Mai, then after graduating she spent the next two years in the Philippines, studying Social Science.

She returned home to work with the Ford Foundation at the Chiang Mai University to assist and advise Hilltribe people in the growing of alternative agricultural products instead of the poppy.

Her next major step could have been "settling down". She married a banker and they traveled to Chonburi and the south where Sopin had two children but continued in the work force, teaching in school.

However Sopin’s marriage did not survive the move to Pattaya. "Too many distractions here," she smiled ruefully. So she applied herself to her first business venture.

She started in one small shop house with three apartments and a Travel Agency, on the corner of Soi Post Office. "I had four girls helping me. We did parcel packing for the Post Office and I was the translator."

Despite her own problems, Sopin’s concern and community involvement began at that time. "As a translator I was talking to young girls and not very happy to see them coming to work in the bars so young. I wanted to teach them."

That concern continues today. Although a practicing Buddhist, Sopin has been the President of the Young Women’s Christian Association here. "We aim to protect children and improve their life. The YWCA started a family plan for scholarships for children in Pattaya."

Even Sopin’s hobbies are converted into positive benefits. She commenced playing golf ten years ago and now one of her businesses, the Diana Group, is involved with golf tours and tournaments. "I had the idea from the Pattaya Sports Club to get a license from the government, because golf is a chance to change the tourist image of Pattaya." This is where the connection lies with Princess Diana. "When we started the business, Princess Diana had just become engaged to Prince Charles, and my partner at the time liked the name!" The Diana Inn, the Diana Estate and the Diana Group all come from that.

Reading, exercise and travel are the activities Sopin enjoys to take a break from business worries. She is also a columnist for a local Thai language newspaper and writes on social, tourist and women’s viewpoint issues.

Improving the image of Pattaya has been a driving force for her. She started the popular Green Bottle Pub eleven years ago because she wanted to provide a setting for guests and tourists that was a better alternative to the go-go bars.

In recognition of the important part she has played in the business community, she was invited two years ago to join the Pattaya City Council as a business advisor. In addition, she is an Associate Judge for the Family and Child Court in Chonburi and is aiming to spend even more time in community social work. "I want to help Pattaya City. First we must start from our home, then our street, then we can go out into the area."

Sopin dismisses the fact that she is obviously an extremely successful and astute businesswoman. She emphasized, "I am a very simple person and I live a simple life. The most important things to me are to make everyone around me happy and to enjoy life. I have a very good team. First of all I need to look after my staff, I think of them as family, then I can go out and do social work."

Her advice for the new generation is, "Don’t work for the money. Choose the job you like, don’t follow someone else’s idea. Do the best you can and try hard. Make enough money just for your life and return something to the community." Outstanding advice from an outstanding woman.

Snap Shots: That Healthy Golden Glow!

by Harry Flashman

Have you ever seen in magazines, those wonderful photographs of people positively "glowing" with health and vitality? Sickeningly brimming full of goodness, and golden hues just radiating from their very presence. Well, like so many things in photography, it’s a fraud! A photographic "trick". A trick that will cost you about 100 Baht for the equipment and three minutes to master!

However, all photographic tricks still conform to the basic rules of physics, in particular the rules of light. Light travels in straight lines and will bounce off any non-translucent object. And that, quite simply, is the basis of this trick.

The "golden glow" is really just reflected light, bounced back on to the subject. People shots benefit from this warm healthy look and the subjects will look many years younger because you can get rid of saggy chins quicker than a plastic surgeon can say, "Get your wallet out!"

Now photographically, the natural golden glow comes in the late afternoon, with the sun getting low on the horizon. There are good scientific reasons why this is so, but here is not the place to discuss them. Just accept the fact that late afternoon sun is the "warm" time. Take pictures at this time of day and you will get that golden glow - but our photographic trick will allow you to get that warm golden glow at any time of day - and control it as well, something you cannot do so easily with the sun as your light source!

What we have to do is build a light reflector that reflects that warm colour. Go to the newsagent and get some gold foil paper. The sort of wrapping paper you use for wedding gifts. It may be embossed or patterned, and in fact it is better if it is, but must be gold in colour. Glue the gold paper on to a sheet of cardboard or polystyrene sheet approximately one metre square. You do not have to be deathly accurate or neat. If the surface gets a little "scrunched up" that is fine too. Your capital outlay is probably around 50-100 Baht. Not bad, so far!

Now you have a reflector, which if you play with it near a window for example, will shine "gold" on to any subject. You are now ready to impart that golden glow.

The best photos for this exercise are people shots taken outdoors, with the sun behind the subject. This we call "back lit". You will find that the subject’s hair becomes very bright around the edges, almost like a "halo" effect.

Now for the addition of the golden glow. To do this, you position your reflector to shine some sunlight back towards the subject. Prop the reflector in the best position to give the degree of golden glow you want (I generally just prop it up with the camera bag, or you can get an assistant to hold it for you) and look through the viewfinder. See what a difference this makes? The ugly chin shadow has gone and the subject looks brilliantly glowing and "healthy". The one metre square reflector will also impart "highlights" to eyes to make them sparkle as well.

The end product is shiny hair, bright eyes and a golden complexion radiating warmth. A fabulous photo.

Now, the downside! It is more difficult to get the correct exposure setting in the backlit situation. If your camera has a "Backlit" button, then use it. If not, walk in close to the subject so that the persons face fills the frame, and take your exposure reading from there. Use the exposure lock, or just memorise the readings and put them in on manual mode. Give it a try this weekend!

Modern Medicine: Adult Asthma

by Dr Iain Corness

There is an unfortunate tendency to regard Asthma as a disease of children. In fact, Infantile Asthma is an important cause of death in youngsters, but fortunately most children "grow out of it". However, Asthma in adults has its own mortality and correct treatment is not always followed. Here are a few points to ponder (and take note of if you are an Asthma sufferer).

The question of "compliance" is a major problem in adult Asthma and many researchers in this field believe that failure to take the prescribed medication is probably the most common factor contributing to difficulties in Asthma control. There is always that tendency when you feel well to think there is then no need to take pills, inhalers or whatever.

Another major problem with adults is poor technique when using the inhalers ("puffers"). Again research has shown that only about 50% of adults get the correct dose down into the lungs - where it matters.

Environmental factors must be considered, too. Sinusitis and runny noses should not be ignored by adult asthmatics. Control of these ailments can lead to improved Asthma control as well. Allergies should also be followed up, investigated, pin-pointed and treated (where possible) as this can also make for better Asthma control.

There are also some other medications that can adversely affect your Asthma. Amongst these are Beta-blockers (a type of Blood Pressure medication), Anti-inflammatories and even Aspirin. Indiscriminate purchasing of inappropriate medication is always a problem when you can order your own prescription drugs over the counter.

The medication you use should also be the optimal available. The old Ventolin puffer in the pocket, used regularly, is not the way to manage adult Asthma. The mainstay of modern treatment is now the Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS). These are used regularly, with correct technique, and will hold most adults from becoming unstable.

The next addition is the Long Acting Beta 2 agonists. These are used twice a day as they have a 12 hour effect on the lungs.

The old Ventolin and Bricanyl puffers (called short acting Beta 2 agonists) are now only used when needed for breakthrough symptoms. A complete change around from old prescribing techniques.

So there you are, all you adult asthmatics. How does your current medication regime stand up against the latest as detailed above? If your Asthma is not all that well controlled perhaps it is time you went and saw your doctor. Good treatment requires good scientific assessment of your degree of impairment. This needs examination and use of spirometry to see the real extent of your Asthma. There is no room for "over the counter" self prescribing with this potentially dangerous disease.

Dear Hillary,

I put a dead rat in my girlfriends bed, just as a joke, and now she won’t speak to me. Not only that but none of her friends won’t speak to me either. I thought it was funny, doesn’t she have a sense of humour?

Spooked

Dear Spooked,

Maybe she doesn’t like smelly rats, animal or human.

Dear Hillary,

One of my co-workers in the office is a gorgeous guy just a few years older than me. We have been spending a bit of time together at work lately on an advertising project and have fallen for each other. We have had a cup of coffee together a couple of times after work and we get along really well, we can talk about anything. The only problem is he is married, though he says his wife just doesn’t understand him. Do you think it is O.K. to have an affair with a married man?

Randy

Dear Randy,

Some people consider it’s kosher, it depends on who you ask. Your married man thinks it’s O.K. Divorce lawyers think it’s great for business. You think it’s O.K. Though I bet his wife just doesn’t understand at all.

Dear Hillary

I think, that contrary to what we are told, that crime does pay and it pays very well. Do you agree?

Thinking

Dear Thinking,

This is sometimes so, but the wheel always turns. Just in case it does not turn your way, think on how you like small rooms shared with sociopaths, open toilets, mouldy meals, barred windows, cockroaches, cuffs and chains, cold showers, drab uniforms and no telephones.

Dear Hillary,

My mother is coming out to visit us next month and I am worried about where we can take her in the evenings that is not too wild. Do you have any suggestions?

Jack

Dear Jack,

Yes there is entertainment of all types here. Try the movies or bowling. Then there’s food, I presume your mother is fond of eating. Try the Thai House restaurant where there is a Thai dance show, or the Green Bottle Pub, Henry J Bean’s, New Orleans, Benihana, or Delaney’s, all of which are entertaining. Look up the Dining Out column in the Pattaya Mail and go for their suggestions, have fun trying them all out yourself first.

Dear Hillary,

My dog was run over and killed last week and I am just devastated. Especially as I’ve had him from a tiny pup that I had to bottle feed. He was properly trained but loving and devoted and went everywhere with me. I feel so lonely and sad and crying all the time. How do I get over it? Buy a new pet? Prayer? Exercise? Start a new hobby?

Dear Miserable,

I am so sorry. You can try to remember the good times you had with him and talk about him. Make a drawing or put a photo of him on your wall. All those other things you mentioned are good ideas. Time helps also, so does chocolate.

GRAPEVINE

Dining Out: Maragaretha Zelle’s for dinner!

by Miss Terry Diner

The historians amongst the readers will no doubt know that the above lady was actually known as "Mata Hari". A much nicer name, you’ll agree. Poor old Mata, who died by firing squad in 1917, however still remains in the news. In January this year the prestigious Sunday Times in the UK published the names of some of her lovers, who included the composer Puccini, Baron Henri de Rothschild and a score or more of important French and German persons. No, Mata has not been forgotten.

Mata Hari Restaurant.

She also lives on in Pattaya, on 2nd Road near Soi 7, where the irrepressible master raconteur Louis runs the Mata Hari Brasserie. Whilst the restaurant has been there for some time now, Louis has decided to revamp the premises and has fully enclosed the front with glass and air-conditioned the entire area.

With the new improvements, the Dining Out Team decided to pay Mata and Louis a visit. As with Mata herself, who operated in many languages, so does the brasserie, with the menu available in Dutch, Thai, English, French, German and Russian. It is a "chatty" menu and has a shortened history of Mata as well. It includes the wine list which offers house wines as well as some bottles, "Spritzer" by the glass or carafe, liqueurs, spirits and beers (including Singha Gold, thank you, Louis!).

Starters begin around 100 Baht (Chicken Liver Pate) through to the Antipasto at 190 Baht. The mains are a healthy mixed bag covering Chicken, Duck, Fish, Meat and Schnitzel between 180 and 290 Baht and are all served with a choice of potatoes done as French Fries, Boiled, Croquette or Fried plus side salad or vegetables. There are also some pasta dishes, including vegetarian, between 150 - 180 Baht.

There is a Thai food section, with another little discourse on how to dine Thai style. A good across the board representation of this cuisine costs between 90 - 120 Baht.

We chose Oysters with Bacon and Worcestershire Sauce as starters (Madame) and a Cream of Asparagus Soup for myself. The oysters were of the small variety, but the bacon and sauce makes it very flavoursome. The soup tended to be a little bland, but the addition of some Dill from Madame’s plate lifted it! Some ground black pepper would have probably done the same, on reflection.

For mains, Madame ordered from the Thai menu and we had a meat salad and a prawn and pork in oyster sauce. Both of these were really excellent and represented top value in my book. The degree of spiciness was exactly as requested. Top marks, Louis!

Being the carnivore, I left it to Louis to suggest my main and a large plate with the Fillet Mata Hari appeared. New Zealand beef, thick and juicy, fell apart under the knife. It was topped with a slice of Chicken Liver Pate and accompanied by bacon, asparagus and croquette potatoes. Very generous portions and it took me all my time to finish! In fact, we were so replete we could go no further through the menu, despite Louis’ tempting desserts, liqueurs and coffee.

This restaurant is a true brasserie. Good food, well prepared and very reasonably priced. The atmosphere is always entertaining, with Louis being a tireless Maitre d’. The new air-con section has also made a good eatery even better. We have dined at Mata Hari before and will do so again. Perhaps we too should go on the Sunday Times’ list of lovers of Mata Hari! Thank you, Louis, it’s forever fun.

Animal Crackers: Readers Story: “Horse Sense”

by Mirin MacCarthy

We discovered a good convenient place for horse riding at Tarzan’s Hut, Najomtien. It is at the southern end of Jomtien towards the Ambassador Hotel and you can even ride along the beach. Next to Sharky’s Place, a resort restaurant with excellent food surrounded by great little bungalows. It is a little off the beaten track but once you discover it you will be pleasantly surprised.

People through the ages have been fascinated with horses and riding. Probably because achieving an affinity with these large, spirited creatures is awesome. Being in unison with such a big animal and having them trust your command and guidance is almost impossible to describe. It is one of the main reasons why people everywhere fall madly in love with horse riding.

David Smith, Ex Professional Australian Jockey.

Not many beginners would suspect that riding is a great teacher in general skills as well. Patience, persistence, confidence, forward planning, jai yen yen, discipline, reacting calmly under pressure, are just a few of the skills you develop in a very real and immediate way. That is probably what having horse sense means. There is so much you can learn around horses and it is so much fun.

People often ask, "What can I do if I like the idea of riding but I am just afraid of horses?" The answer of course is to take it slowly. Develop confidence and easiness near horses before even considering riding. This comes slowly by simply being around horses and experienced people who have this naturalness. Just be around horses, get closer to them, pat them and feed them and begin to feel comfortable with this before you start riding lessons. Even trainee professional jockeys feed, groom and hang around horses for weeks before they climb on their first steed.

One of the most important factors about learning horsemanship is to be relaxed and confident around the horses. This is critical in allowing the horse to feel comfortable with you. So take it easy, be patient and learn to develop the confidence and easiness first.

The fundamental rules of riding are to relax, take your time and be prepared to take a few months of regular lessons. Persistent practice is important to master the art. Remember it is an animal not a machine so it is not just mastering a mechanical task like driving a car. Though even small children can learn to ride, and once you do develop a feel for it is immensely rewarding.

Tarzan’s Hut is found by driving to the end of Jomtien Beach Road, past Nang Nual restaurant until you can go no further, turn left, last right, then straight ahead at the T and on for fifty yards and you are there. Phone (038) 232110. Lessons are Baht 800 per hour on a horse and Baht 500 an hour for a pony. Trail riding 800 baht an hour.

David Smith, Ex professional Australian jockey.

Auto Mania: Shoppers’ Paradise

by Dr. Iain Corness

The other day I was passed by a shop. A kitchen to be more precise. Beetling down Beach Road, Jomtien at a good 40 KPH I was passed by a Som Tum stall on a motorcycle chassis, roof flapping wildly as it roared along. Apart from being amusing on the surface, it was actually very dangerous. These mobile kitchens are not really designed to be belted along at 60 KPH, and to be hit by a flying bottle of Nam Pla would be no fun at all, let alone the blunt end of a mortar and pestle.

So what is the point to all this? Merely that on Pattaya’s roads (that area of potholes between one footpath and the other side) one should remain vigilant at all times. This is not the Pontypridd to Norwich motorway, it is actually the Pattaya to Naklua rallycross circuit.

Mind you, while you are cursing and leaping from one hump to the next, spare a thought for the poor buggers who are working down the bottom of these holes they have dug on Beach Road. Holes that are now, after the rain, full of three metres of brown sludge, assorted polystyrene take-away boxes and left foot thongs. It is times like these you realise how fortunate you are being a simple barfly and not a Waste Water Treatment Pipe-line layer!

Autotrivia

I was accosted in the loo at Delaney’s the other day. At the wash hand basin, I hurriedly add, by a gentleman who said, "How about some recent cars in the quiz section?" Now, I must admit to drawing heavily on the past for many of the topics, because unfortunately there was really just so much more happening in the individual car companies those days compared to today.

Some of the great "characters" in the motoring world were in yesteryear. Durant, Errett Lobban Cord, the Duesenbergs, even Herbert Austin and William Morris all belonged to the past. In today’s plastic world full of "badge engineering" it is difficult to dig out people of such notoriety or originality, or even cars with such individuality.

The Cord was the first car in the world with pop up headlights. Today, everyone has them. Even the advent of hydraulic brakes was a milestone in motoring history. Today every car is fitted with them.

To find individual differences, or earth shattering advances is difficult. Half the cars today are built on a common platform or chassis. That allows the manufacturer to build a car, a pick-up or an MPV on the same mechanicals. Cuts manufacturing costs perhaps but certainly makes for "dull" engineering.

All that considered, there is still some originality breaking through from time to time. So, for the unknown handwasher at Delaney’s, what company built a six wheeler recently. Not the Tyrrell race car, not the six wheeled pick-ups but a production coupe. First correct answer to the Editorial office wins the Automania FREE BEER of the week. Email [email protected] or fax to 427 596.

The Hong Kong connection

Met up with a great bunch of fun loving motorcar people the other day. These guys all hail from Hong Kong and could be loosely called "gentlemen racers" (rather than just gentlemen!) and have some common aims. Mainly to enjoy life and play with some race cars all over Asia.

They have put together a race series using some of the old race cars that will excite your imagination. Think about the 1973 RS Carrera Porches, the Healey 3000 Mk III’s, Lotus Elans, Super 7’s, Ford Mustangs, MGB’s, the Mini Cooper S brigade - all the great cars from the 70s. They run them in classes and the modifications are restricted to those that were allowed at the time. In other words, you cannot bolt on a turbocharger to a Lotus Elan, or substitute Fuel Injection for carburettors on the American V8’s.

Since there are a great number of these types of race cars sitting in sheds all over the world, what a great idea to bring them out of mothballs and let them have a run. Let’s face it - what a waste it is to have an RS Carrera on blocks.

Bill Scott and Richard Hawkins are two of the movers from Hongkers with these cars and hopefully we will be seeing them at Bira Circuit next year. They have a travelling circus with around 18 of these vehicles they ship around in a series of containers.

After some intense negotiations and much arm twisting I might even be having a little fang in a Super 7 myself, later this year. It’s around 25 years since I parked my backside in one of Colin Chapman’s 7’s and even longer since I raced against them. It will be a great blast down memory lane, let alone pit lane!

How long to develop new technology?

This is a true story. About 15 odd years ago a company was formed in Australia to develop a new kind of engine. Since the hot news at that time was the Sarich engine from Western Australia, it did not take long to attract the investors.

Everyone sat excitedly waiting for the new engine to burst into life, bringing great riches and rewards for everyone. They waited, waited and waited. The engine seemingly refused to fire, although the very ingenious crankshaft could be made to turn by pushing compressed air into the combustion chamber.

The depressed investors ran out of patience, the company was turned over and alternative ideas were explored.

Many years later, there now appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel. In Taiwan they have been developing an air powered bicycle (I’m not making this up!) and it looks as if they can use the crankshaft of the experimental engine as an air motor (after all it ran on compressed air before). The first prototype has been built and Mk II is on the way.

So fifteen years later, the technology looks like being used. Not in the way it was at first envisaged, but the original investors may yet see a return for their money!

Fitness Tips: Press Release-Health & Fitness

by Dvid Garred,
Club Manager,
Dusit Resort Sports Club

First Aid

Do you know what to do if:
A child drowns in a swimming pool or the sea?
A friend collapses while playing tennis?
You’re witness to a road accident?

If you don’t - maybe the PADI Medic First Aid Course is for YOU!

The PADI medic first aid course is a fully comprehensive course recognized throughout the world. Although run by PADI, this course is open to anyone as it not diving oriented. It conforms 100% with the American EMP service (emergency medical planning). This course covers the same emergency-aid techniques used by paramedics and doctors, but at a layman’s level. In addition to CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, it teaches how to effectively use the most up-to-date methods.

The PADI medic first aid course is approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration. It covers primary care, secondary surveys, and lastly treatments, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, standards and guidelines for basic life support (CPR) (June 6, 1986) and the American Academy of Orthopedic surgeons.

Learning the right way to save a life - after all, the life you save may be your own.

The course itself is an eight hour course split into seven modules. Each module consists of video and actual hands on practical work. The students will work in groups alternating in the role of coach, rescuer and patient. Upon certification each student will receive a universally accepted certificate and certification card.

Medic First Aid courses are run on request at any time within Dusit Resort Sports Club and can be taken over a single day, two days on the weekends or weekdays as well.

For further inquiries call Dusit Resort Sports Club on 038 425611-226/7 or our instructor Chris on 01 8628267.

The course is invaluable but the charge for these skills is 3,000 Baht.

Act now!

The life you save may be your own.

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.