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Family Money: Get real about real estate
(Part 3)
By Leslie
Wright
In the past couple of weeks I have offered my opinion
on buying property in Pattaya, first with regard to protecting your
interests, and secondly from the economics’ standpoint of
cost-effectiveness of renting versus buying.
I have also received several enquiries from potential
real-estate buyers who are concerned not only about shady practices that
might affect them, but also about the taxes they might be burdened with.
Let’s look first at just one of the shady practices
that is apparently still going on - at least around Bangkok.
Earth moving developments
It has been reported that, in more than one instance, a
piece of prime real estate in a good location was shown to a prospective
buyer, and a price agreed. When the land registration deed for the newly
acquired property was subsequently examined, however, the location of the
land on the deed turned out to be in quite another area from what the
buyer thought he was buying.
Typically, that land was nowhere near the land shown,
nor anywhere near its value.
Let me hasten to add that I am not suggesting that this
practice has been followed by any Pattaya real estate firm or property
developer, nor any individual seller.
But it is curious that one enquiry I’ve received
recently was identical to a similar one I wrote about some 15 months ago
where a couple (a farang married to a perfectly respectable and charming
Thai lady - an exception to the typical relationship in Pattaya which I
was warning against in the first of this series of articles) who were in
the process of buying part of a local housing development were
experiencing great difficulty getting straight answers from the Thai
developer to quite reasonable and straightforward questions.
One of these questions was why the developer was
selling a piece of land which happened to have a house situated on it, but
there would be no paperwork or deeds pertaining to the house itself.
There may be a perfectly reasonable explanation for
this apparently anomalous transaction. But not being in the real estate
business I have not as yet been able to discover the answer (which I
suspect has to do with not being able to obtain the Land Title Deed (chanud)
until the financing bank has been paid in full for the land, which in turn
depends upon the developer selling all the lots and houses thereon to
raise the necessary cash). I’m sure the Editor will receive a flurry of
letters from local real estate firms regarding this practice, and I look
forward to their explanations.
The development in question may indeed be perfectly
legitimate, and the Thai developer merely a very shrewd businessman (or
rather businesswoman in this case) who was looking to maximise her return
from her investment. Or avoid taxes.
However, why she would be unwilling or unable to show
the clients a copy of the land title deed (which is a public document
available from the Land Registry) is certainly cause for concern in light
of the published case mentioned earlier. Unless of course my suspicions
are correct, in which case the Land Title Deed (chanud) is being
held by the bank.
Taxing issues
As I pointed out in the first of this series of
articles, under the current land ownership laws foreigners cannot own land
or houses in their own names. (This may change if a proposed bill is ever
passed into law - but how long that may take is anyone’s guess; the last
time property laws changed here it took seven years...)
Hence many foreigners by-pass the protectionist law by
purchasing a house through a company. (I gather the Thai authorities are
making noises about passing legislation to close this loophole also; but
that may also take a long time - although when it comes to
self-protection, laws seem to be passed here with greater alacrity than
when granting concessions. But that’s yet another example of TIT -
“This is Thailand,” to borrow Mr Trink’s favourite phrase.)
What many buyers (especially foreigners) fail to take
into account are the taxes that become due upon transfer of a property
title, however the property is purchased, and no matter whether through a
company or in their girlfriend or boyfriend’s name.
There are taxes and fees paid at purchase, during
ownership, and when the property is sold.
When the property is bought or sold three taxes will
have to be paid. These are payable by either the seller or the buyer; it
is up to you to decide beforehand who should be responsible.
It is worth bearing in mind that because of the
peculiar local system of taxing property on an arbitrary assessed value as
determined by the Land Department rather than true market value, these
taxes could amount to a considerable percentage of the purchase price.
First there is a property sales tax of 0.11% of
assessed value or the sale price whichever is higher, as well as a
transfer fee of 0.01% of the assessed value of the land. Also to be paid
is a duty stamp fee of 0.5% of the assessed value or the sale price -
again, whichever is higher.
(The property sales tax and the transfer fee have been
temporarily reduced from 3.3% and 2% respectively until the end of 2001.
It is possible that this concession may be extended while the economy is
still depressed and the real estate market still sluggish.)
However, there is no property sales tax if:
• The seller had owned the property for at least five
years.
• The seller had used the property as his primary
residence for at least one year prior to the sale.
• The seller had received the property as an
inheritance.
If you haven’t determined during the negotiations
that the seller will pay the taxes upon transfer, you could get a nasty
shock when a tax bill arrives - often some two or three months after the
sale is completed - since the seller often neglects to mention this
liability... (And after all, why should they tell you if you don’t
already know or ask? As in all business transactions here or indeed
anywhere, caveat emptor is the rule: Let the buyer beware.)
Once you have acquired property, you must pay property
taxes on it. If you rent out the property, the tax is 12.5% per year on
the annual rental revenue. (Which is why so many local rentors want the
lessee to pay tax for them, as they don’t want to lose 12.5% of their
revenue.)
There is also a tax on non-rental property. This
depends on location and land classification, and varies from 0.025% to
0.095% a year.
In addition, if the house is purchased through a
company, one has to bear in mind that corporate tax is higher than
personal tax, and the cost of setting up the company has to be considered
as part of the initial investment outlay, even if this is a relatively
modest additional cost - perhaps around $1,000 all told.
When selling, you may be liable for all of the fees
that were applicable at the time of purchase (see above). You would also
have to pay income tax on the sale amount.
Deductions are calculated using a table from the Land
Department, which is based on how long you have held the property. If you
(or your local wife/girlfriend) received the land from an inheritance,
there is a standard deduction of 50%.
Otherwise, the deductions are as follows: 92% if you
have held the property for one year, 84% for two years, 77% for three
years, 71% for four years, 65% for five years, 60% for six years, 55% for
seven years, and finally reaching 50% for eight years or more.
For example, if you have held the land for four years,
the deduction is 71%. Therefore, if you sold the property for one million
baht, you would be liable for tax on 290,000 baht. This taxable income is
then divided by the number of years you held the property (divide 290,000
by 4 to get 72,500).
The tax owed is then calculated from the standard
personal income tax brackets (see the table at the end of this article).
From the tax brackets, 72,500 baht is liable to tax of 1,125 baht. You
then have to multiply by the number of years you held the property. Take
1,125 and multiply by 4 to get the final tax figure of 4,500 baht.
It may seem a bit silly to divide, and then multiply by
the number of years you held the property. However, this means that in the
end you pay less tax, because a lower base is used for the tax bracket
calculation. If this division and multiplication did not occur, in the
example above you would have had to pay 21,500 baht in income tax.
There are two further requirements:
• For sale of inherited, non-commercial or
non-investment property, the final tax figure must be no more than 20% of
the sale price.
• No matter how long you have held the property, the
number of years you use in the division and multiplication process for the
tax calculation cannot exceed 10.
There are also certain special cases where the income
tax does not apply:
• The property is inherited or is an unsolicited
gift, and is in a rural area, and the sale price is no more than 200,000
baht.
• The property is given to your children, or is
appropriated by the government.
An investment or a millstone?
Buying a property to live in is one thing; buying it as
an investment is another, whether in Thailand or indeed anywhere.
In the depressed property market currently prevailing
in Thailand, homeowners could suffer a considerable capital loss if they
sell their properties for what many buyers would regard as true market
value. Naturally enough, they are reluctant to do so. This is one reason
why property prices have not come down as much as was anticipated after
the currency crisis of 1997.
If the homeowner bought the property on a mortgage or
financing arrangement, the loss will be compounded by the interest he or
she will have paid in the meantime, which until very recently was
inordinately high - not to mention the taxes that may have to be paid on
the property, either by the seller or the buyer.
Thus if you are looking at property purely from an
investment perspective, it could take many years for the overall costs to
be recovered. Even in developed markets, property values over the long
term just about match inflation.
In the meantime, there are all sorts of ‘charges’
on the investment to be considered: taxes (as discussed above); insurance;
maintenance & repair - which could be a major expense should the
tenants run amok and trash the place, as has happened to some friends of
mine right here in Pattaya!
I know of other cases where a property was bought as a
long-term investment, and has become a millstone round the owner’s neck.
The property is sitting idle with no prospective buyers in sight, no
rental income, but still incurring a tax liability each year. It is
therefore a depreciating capital asset which is a drain on resources,
rather than an income-generating investment.
At the end of the day, it is entirely up to you whether
you buy or rent your home, and this is often an emotive rather than
rational decision.
But after taking into consideration the significant
capital outlay, bureaucratic complications, peripheral costs, taxes and
inflexibility, my advice would have to be “Rent don’t buy.”
Tax Brackets
* Income of 0 to Bt. 50,000: 0
* Bt. 50,001 to 100,000: 5%
* Bt. 100,001 to 500,000: 10%
* Bt. 501,000 to 1,000,000: 20%
* Bt. 1,000,001 to 4,000,000: 30%
* Bt. 4,000,001 and above: 37%
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. If you have
any comments or queries on this article, or about other topics concerning
investment matters, contact Leslie directly by fax on (038) 232522 or
e-mail [email protected]
Further details and back articles can be accessed on his firm’s website
on www.westminsterthailand.com
Snap Shots: Nadar,
the flamboyant portrait photographer
by Harry Flashman
Nadar (1820 - 1910) was one of the most celebrated
portraitists of the 19th century. Born Gaspard Felix Tournachon, he was a
French journalist and writer, whose life could have been taken directly
from the operatic score of Puccini’s, “La Boheme”. This was Paris,
the home of the Bohemians, the Latin Quarter cafes, the painters and
musicians and the showgirls.
 In
keeping with the Bohemian set, he adopted the pseudonym, “Nadar” and
was attracted to radical politics. When he opened his major photographic
studio it was painted bright red, both inside and out. This was the
subject for much debate at the time as to whether this was to match his
hair or his political persuasions. Across the front of the building was a
large illuminated sign, just saying “Nadar”. He knew the effect of
publicity.
However, Nadar did not intend being a photographer as
he was compiling a series of caricatures of one thousand French
celebrities, to be called “Pantheon Nadar”. To make the drawings
easier, he hit upon the idea of taking photographs for reference material
for his cartoons. Nadar, however, did not want to take the photographs
himself, and persuaded his younger brother to learn the craft and set up a
studio.
The first issue of “Pantheon Nadar” hit the streets
of Paris in 1854, but as a money making venture it was a flop. It was then
that Nadar decided to open his own photographic studio, and as he knew
most of the literati set personally soon began to make a name for himself
in this branch of early photography.
Nadar voiced one of the secrets of portrait
photography. “The portrait I do best is of the person I know best.”
This still stands as good advice today. When the photographer knows the
sitter, you can try to inject the sitter’s personality into the shot.
Try it some time!
His portrait lighting was always simple. Initially he
used daylight, with the light coming from one side and falling away from
the face of the sitter, but later he began to experiment with electric
lights and won awards for this style of lighting in 1861. That is only 140
years ago!
In the early portraits, with the long exposure times
dictated by the very slow film, the sitters were generally portrayed with
their hands in their pockets, or tucked inside their coats. In this way
there was less chance of blurring during the minute or so that was
necessary to keep the shutter open.
Amongst those of his friends who became subjects for
his photographic work were the writers Flaubert, Victor Hugo and George
Sand (who became his son Paul’s godmother); the composers Berlioz, Liszt,
Rossini and Wagner and many of the famous painters of the day such as
Manet.
Being the flamboyant theatrical person that he was,
Nadar also became enamoured of ballooning and took his first aerial
photograph from a balloon in 1858. Being the inveterate showman, in 1863
he commissioned the building of a huge balloon, called Le Geant (The
Giant), whose inaugural flight, with Nadar as the intrepid “pilote”,
was watched by over a quarter of a million people. A few weeks later,
Nadar and Le Geant crash landed in Germany, with the portrait photographer
cum balloonist suffering a broken leg, but garnering even more publicity.
In 1870, a war had broken out between France and
Prussia and Nadar would take his balloon over enemy lines and release
leaflets urging peace. He was not of the political persuasion to release
bombs.
By the time he was in his sixties, Nadar was doing less
and less photography and was leaving the running of the studio to his son
Paul, but the two of them collaborated on the first photo-interview in the
world in 1886. This was of the eminent chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul and
was published in “Le Journal Illustre”, with Nadar the father posing
the questions, with Paul taking the 13 photographs to illustrate the
piece. Nadar deserves his place in the history of Photography.
Modern Medicine: The
Healing Touch
by Dr Iain Corness Consultant
I sat through a TV programme the other evening on the
“Healing Touch”. The programme was about what they called
“Complementary” medicine - that branch of “medicine” which they
say goes along with conventional medicine, with each aiding each other in
the quest towards healing the patient of his or her various ills.
The “Touchy Feely” set of course accuses
conventional medico’s of being unfeeling automatons who sit in gilded
offices and hand out dangerous chemicals without caring for the inner
person, while they, on the other hand, with their power from within call
up their Chakras, mumble their Mantras and surround the unwell with their
force-fields and enhance the innate power of the patient and make them get
better “naturally”.
As a conventionally trained medico, I actually do
object to the term “Complementary Medicine” - I have never asked a
Touchy Feely person to get involved with me in caring for the sick, and I
doubt if I ever will. The Touchy Feely practitioners used to practice what
was called “Alternative Medicine”, a term I can relate to, but they
changed the name a few years back to make it seem as if suddenly we were
all working “together” on the case.
I can imagine there are already great howls of outrage
from the Touchy Feelies, but I did not say their particular brand does not
work - I just said that the term “complementary” is stretching the
long bow a little.
Conventional Medicine has to conform these days to EBM
- Evidence Based Medicine. In other words, scientific studies have to be
done to show that any particular procedure or drug treatment actually does
work. This is where the Complementary lot fall down. Exhaustive scientific
studies are very rarely done and the “evidence” is mainly anecdotal.
“Auntie Maud went and had her Chakras aligned and she was cured of her
arthritis and all the local doctor did was give her pills.” Heard it
before? However, have studies been done to compare one thousand Auntie
Mauds given Chakra alignment with a similar one thousand Auntie Mauds
given conventional medicine? And have they followed this up one, two and
five years later? The simple answer is, No.
And to the accusations that conventional medico’s are
an unfeeling bunch - I categorically deny it. There are no conventional
doctors who have not felt for, prayed with, prayed for, cried with or
cried for their patients. Trauma surgeons working against all the odds are
giving their all for the prostrate body in front of them. That “all”
includes their surgical skills and every bit of emotional energy that they
can summon up. You do not see their hollow eyes when despite everything
that was done the patient died. You do not see the doctors who lie awake
at night going over and over case notes looking for some little clue to
discover what can be done for the patient. To the Touchy Feely set I say
that we are touched by our patients and we do feel for them. Stop
attempting to denigrate conventional “wisdom” to attempt to bolster
your own case. If you are indeed “complementary” work on scientific
assessment and your acceptance will come easily.
 Dear
Hillary,
My husband and I have been married for two years, but
we knew each other for a couple of years before then. Up till now the
marriage has been very good, but recently my husband has started to come
home later and later and when he does get in to bed, he snores. Not just a
quiet snuffle, but deep throaty ear shattering snores. I have mentioned
this too him, but he does not believe me. What do you think a wife should
do in these circumstances?
Penelope
Dear Penny,
You certainly do have a problem, my Poppet. Nobody
today is ever called Penelope. Stop using that name at once. Now, about
the nocturnal noddings of your night stalker husband - the first thing you
have to do, apart from the application of pink earmuffs, is to find out
why he is coming home later and later. This is not a good sign in a
marriage and one that you should deal with before it (or he) gets out of
hand. If everything is kosher in the evening escapades then you can try
tape recording the sonorous snores and playing the tape back to him later.
A trip to the doctor is in order too, as he may just have some sort of
sinus problem that needs correcting. Act swiftly, Penelope, before you
find he does an elope!
Dear Hillary,
My brother has been living with a Thai girl for some
time. She wants him to go upcountry to meet her parents (they live near
Laos on the border). I have told him that this will mean she wants to get
married and he will have to come to a financial agreement with the family
regarding the dowry, which could be several thousands of baht. Do you
think he should, Hillary, or should he stay right here and refuse to go
upcountry with her? He has asked me what should he do but I am not sure
what to say to him about this.
Anxious Sis
Dear Anxious Sis,
Hillary understands your desire to see the best things
for your brother, but he is old enough to make his own decisions, surely?
Certainly the usual practice in the upcountry villages is for there to be
a bride-price or dowry. This is really nothing different from the
practices in the western countries, other than you pay all the way through
the western marriage, while here there is a small lump sum payment up
front. It depends more upon whether your brother is ready for commitment.
A 30,000 baht payment should be thought upon as that - a sign to the
girl’s family that the man intends to look after his “investment”.
This probably has more significance for most men than a ten minute
ceremony at the Registry Office. Think about it. Finally, you are his
sister, not his mother, and while Hillary does think your question was
based on a genuine concern, let your brother get on with his life. It’s
time he made his own decisions, Petal.
Dear Hillary,
I am seriously looking at buying a beer bar in Pattaya
and through some connections of my girlfriend I have been offered a half
share (49% actually as farangs are not allowed to own 50%, I believe) in a
bar which has been going for over a year, so it is well established. I
have been told there is “key money” to be paid and I am wondering if
this is the same as “tea” money? If so, do I pay this directly to the
administration or is this something the landlady collects? My friends seem
to be a bit unsure and I don’t want to upset the deal at this early
stage. I like the idea of being able to sit at “my own” bar and have a
few free ales each evening. What do you think, Hillary?
Greenhorn
Dear Greenhorn,
I’ll say this for you; you must be as green as you
are cabbage looking. Talk about babes in the wood! Take it from your Aunt
Hillary, that this is not the business deal for you, my little pumpkin.
You have an astonishing lack of understanding of your proposed new
business. I get the more than sneaking suspicion that your entire bar
experience is from the pay in side, not the collect cash side. This deal
would be the most expensive “free beers” you will ever drink. Talk to
a reputable Thai lawyer and get the full facts, or in your case it could
be the “fool” facts!
Dear Hillary,
Every year it is the same. The foreign women come to
Thailand and do not wear the swimming top on our beach. The Thai not do
this, why is the farang doing? Can you say why?
Noi
Dear Noi,
Probably because they are “yai”, my little Noi.
Every country has different rules or standards in their society. These
days topless sunbathing is an accepted part of beach behaviour in Europe
(when it is warm, otherwise you freeze your teats off). In Thailand, a
more modest approach is taken by the Thais, probably because they do not
want to tan any darker than they are, rather than anything else. Remember
that around 100 years ago native women were bare breasted in this country
too. Ideas change, just stick to what you feel comfortable with, Noi, and
let the European women keep abreast of their customs.
GRAPEVINE
| Visa
roundup
Not much new here for old hands, but less
knowledgeable farangs continue to arrive by the planeload. You should,
of course always check your own position with the immigration police
as rules are discretionary and prone to change at short notice. A
typical tourist from Europe, USA or Australia arrives without a prior
visa and is given a thirty days on arrival stamp at Bangkok airport.
You can be challenged if you do not have an onward or return air
ticket. The stamp may be extended once for about a week at a Thai
immigration office on payment of 500 baht, production of one passport
photo and completion of a form.
Tourist Visas
These are granted at Thai embassies or consulates
abroad and give you sixty days on arrival. You can apply for an
extension at a Thai immigration bureau and will normally be given
between one and two months extra, maybe in blocks of a fortnight,
depending on circumstances. Thus, people over 55 will find it easier
to get the second month or you may be asked for proof you have the
financial means to support yourself. Thai spokesmen sometimes point
out that tourist visas are not designed for indefinite living in the
kingdom.
Non-Immigrant Visas
Also granted abroad, these entitle you to a stay of
ninety days but extensions beyond a bare two weeks can be difficult.
Non immigrant “B” is designed for those intending to conduct
“business” in Thailand, although the visa in itself is not a work
permit and should not be confused with such. Non-immigrant “O”,
meaning “other”, covers categories such as those foreigners with
Thai dependants. For longer extensions, you will need documents such
as current evidence which prove you have transacted “business” or
really do have the Thai spouse you claim to have. Incidentally,
foreigners applying for a Thai driving licence must have a current
non-immigrant visa, either type, and must continue to hold one to
re-apply after one year.
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Overstaying
This can be a serious offence which may well result
in a court appearance, a fine, term of imprisonment and deportation.
Dozens of farangs a year, maybe more, go through these procedures if
they are caught locally. Once the visa is about to expire, plus any
extensions of course, you must leave the country. If you have fallen
seriously ill, you or your representative needs to provide medical
evidence to avoid penalty. If you make it to the airport with an
expired visa, the maximum fine is 20,000 baht but - and This Is
Thailand - you have no guarantee what reception you will receive
unless the offence is a matter of only a few days. The best advice is
simply not to overstay.
Twelve Months’ Visas
Defined categories of farangs can apply for an
extension of a non-immigrant visa to stay for a year, and longer,
without ever leaving the kingdom at all. For example, those holding a
Thai work permit or retirees over 55 who keep at least 800,000 baht in
a Thai bank. There is also an investor’s visa for men and women
under 55 who keep three million baht here. None of these - and don’t
forget residency permits - are without mounds of paperwork and will be
the subject of a later column. If you hold a double or multiple entry
tourist or non immigrant visa from abroad, this is not truly a twelve
months’ visa: you have to leave the country, however briefly, each
time a particular entry expires, say every three or four months.
Why it’s necessary
Farangs frequently argue that it would benefit the
Thai economy if they could spend in Thailand the cash they must fork
out on visa runs abroad. But immigration sources say that regular
passing through airports and border posts is how they keep an updated
computer tab and, if necessary, question anyone they are looking for.
We ought to remember that Thai immigration laws are actually very
liberal. Provided, that is, we don’t abuse the kingdom’s
hospitality.
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Animal Crackers: Orangutans
- the men of the forest
by Mirin
MacCarthy
One of our very close cousins is the Orangutan, the
large, red, hairy ape that lives in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra.
Unlike us, who are mainly carnivores, the Orangutan is basically a fruit
eater, and also unlike us, these apes are gentle. These apes get their name
from the Malay words “orang utan”, literally, the men of the forest.
 Weighing
in at over 100 kg, the Orangutan has enormous strength, with long limbs to
allow it to live in the trees. In fact, it is the largest tree dweller in
the world. Unfortunately, like so many other wild animals, their life is in
danger following man’s encroachment into the apes’ environment. Loggers
and urban development in SE Asia has meant that the Orangutan is rapidly
becoming an endangered species.
Being close to us makes this ape a natural for scientific
studies, and much time and effort is spent in research. Did we really come
down from the trees? If we truly descended from the great apes, why are
there still great apes on the planet?
In attempts to solve all these riddles, Washington DC’s
National Zoo has set up the Think Tank, a research centre where Orangutans
do everything from solving puzzles to operating computers. Rob Shumaker
coordinates the Think Tank’s Orangutan Language Project, where he teaches
Orangutans a language based on symbols to find out how they think.
Like other primates, these apes exhibit humanlike
qualities - from careful parenting to the use of tools, but we have been
unsure on how their thought processes work. Are Orangutans capable of
reasoning to solve problems?
Rob Shumaker is coming closer to the answer, showing that
his Orangutans have learned how the symbols work. One already knows seven
different symbols and can use these in a primitive way of communicating with
humans. Shumaker and his colleagues also investigated how well these apes
resolve complicated problems, such as retrieving food from locked
containers. After initially hitting the container, the subjects stopped
banging at the boxes and used their hands, feet, and prior experience to get
the clasps open, reasoning out the solution in the same way as humans.
However, there is the school of thought that
“trained” apes in zoos do not mean that the wild population will use
reasoning in the same way. This is where the ground breaking work of Carel
van Schaik of Duke University came in. In 1994, he became the first
anthropologist to document the use of tools among wild Orangutans. His study
investigated the apes in the swampy Gunung Leuser National Park, in the
northwest corner of Sumatra, who were developing implements to help
themselves eat.
The swamp is densely packed with Orangutans that van
Schaik describes as gregarious and extremely tolerant of each other - an
unusual arrangement for these apes, who are usually solitary. “The reason
that tolerance is important is that we assume that the critical factor for
using tools is the ability to learn it from others,” says van Schaik. With
many in the Orangutan society using tools, each individual ape has the
chance to observe and it becomes a social learned behaviour.
One example is the spiky Puwin fruit. The Orangutans have
found that by sliding a thin stick into a crack in the fruit, they can get
the seeds out without having to handle the prickly husk.
From an anthropological viewpoint, tool use such as this
represents Orangutan culture, since the entire group participates in a
behaviour that has developed over time. This, in turn, it is thought, may
relate to the evolution of human cultures. So now you know how we got knives
and forks!
Social Commentary by Khai Khem
Stressed out and off balance
Recently, a seminar was held in Pattaya to discuss the
subject of stress - what causes it and how to deal with it. I was too
stressed out to turn up, but acquaintances told me it was well attended. I
don’t doubt that. Modern life breeds a strain of different problems than
our grandparents were used to. Everyone lives under pressure at one time or
another. Sometimes it seems that we are just lurching from one crisis to
another. Those smooth patches seem few and far between. We need to be
problem solvers, like rat-catchers and firemen.
Stress in Thailand has its special home-grown flavour, as
does so much of everything else here. Of course Thais don’t escape stress.
Many of the things that drive foreign visitors up the wall with irritation,
do the same to locals. Careless driving and gridlock traffic makes everyone
crazy. Not long ago I knocked the mirror off the car of an elderly gentleman
from Chonburi while skimming my way through a narrow space I had no right to
be in. I am usually a careful driver, but my depth perception is not what it
used to be. This man was not happy, and my fated punishment was to stand in
the blazing sun and apologise until he decided to forgive me. Next time the
maids wash the dogs and the children in the same bath water in order to save
time, I shall remember to be as gracious toward their short-cuts. Last week
I actually lost it when I discovered all the white shirts and blouses in the
closet had turned a bright shade of pink. No amount of begging seems to
convince household help that white clothes should be washed separately. Now
I have the tailor make the family clothes in the same colour I have chosen
for the bath towels. Problem solved!
Language can be the instrument of misunderstandings, even
if you are fluent in the local lingo. The Thai language has four main
dialects, and many regional expressions, so there is plenty of margin for
error in communication. There are times when precision in the spoken and
written word is vital. Life usually arranges itself so that this is exactly
when language fails. In the West they call it Murphy’s Law. Over here we
call it Fate. The only way to protect oneself from Fate and Murphy is to
sign up for a mind-reading course. That way you can completely circumvent
the usual lines of communication and go straight to the source of the
thought.
Making yourself understood is the next hurdle. That will
have some special cross-cultural hiccups if the person you are talking to
doesn’t share your language of choice. These days, with the high mobility
of the world’s population, we all seem to find ourselves in this
particular dilemma more and more often. It is getting so that no matter who
we are and where we live, if we step outside our own front door, we are
forced to start thinking in several languages, just on the odd chance we may
actually have to talk to another person. Shopping in Pattaya, for example,
takes on the proportions of an expedition when searching for an item.
Everyone seems to call the same object a different name, whether in English
or Thai, and I can never seem to call it right. Now I revert to samples. I
save a sample of everything I want to buy. Show and Tell. It may be a
kid’s game, but it works.
Jai, yen, yen. Have a cool heart. Right. In our tropical
weather that may be the only thing in Thailand which is cool. Heat makes
people irritable. New York City police double their cops on the beat every
August, for the murder rate doubles in that month. It would be nice if we
could all retire to a hill station to loll around in leisure until the rains
break, like the British colonials used to do in India and Malaysia. Today
our work won’t allow for that. That is why they invented air-conditioning;
so employees can up their production and work till they drop for the
stockholders. The only way to beat the system here is to cull a lot of
things in one’s personal life, like alcohol and sex. Booze is dehydrating
and should be replaced with water. Pattaya is not known for its
water-drinking population, that is true. Perhaps that accounts for some of
our stress. The other deprivation is a compromise, and best left to the
individual to determine where to draw the line.
Loss of identity was mentioned at the seminar as a cause
of stress. That is perfectly normal. This condition can actually be
aggravated here in Fun City. Oddly enough, the relocation of Thais from
Bangkok to Pattaya throws them into cultural shock. Foreigners who are
posted here with their companies must be knocked for a loop. Pattaya is a
great leveller. No matter how big and important a person was before they
came here, Pattaya people don’t care. They think those of us who weren’t
born local fishermen are big humbugs, and are either fleeing from crimes
committed somewhere else, or have won the lottery in our home town and have
moved to Pattaya solely to raise the standards of living for the bar girls
and landlords. That attitude is a sword with a double edge. Anonymity can be
very lonely. Or it can signify a clean sheet of paper on which to write what
you will.
Most people chill out after awhile and find life here
isn’t so bad. I do wonder a lot about the small blonde children I see
precariously perched on the backs of motorcycles, driven through our lethal
traffic by Thai maids. I just KNOW the Western Madams haven’t agreed to
that arrangement.
Women’s World: What
nature provides
by Lesley Warner
I’ve written about hair before but I don’t feel we
can ever look after our hair enough, as I said before it is our ‘crowning
glory’. Hair is a unique accessory; nature provides it but fashion
dictates its arrangement. Hair can be a symbol of liberation or suppression
but whatever it is for the individual it needs to look healthy.
Bad hair care practices can leave your hair dull,
unmanageable and with horrible split ends. Choose the right shampoo for your
type of hair. If you don’t know ask your hairdresser to recommend the
correct shampoo for your hair type. Normal, dry or chemically treated hair
will benefit from a weekly intensive conditioning treatment. Always comb
intensive treatment through to the ends of your hair. Cover with plastic and
a towel around the hair for up to 30 minutes. If you don’t have much time
try an instant conditioner to use after each shampoo. Treatments are a MUST
at least twice a month. Let your hair air dry as often as you can. A
balanced diet including fresh fruit and vegetables will help to ensure your
hair receives all the vitamins and minerals that it requires for healthy
growth. Don’t be surprised if your favourite shampoo doesn’t always
ensure good hair days. Environmental changes throughout the year can leave
your hair dry, greasy and with flyaways. It is a good idea to change
shampoos when you feel the need at least every couple of months.
Avoid rough towel drying; gently press hair down after
washing. If you have long hair use a comb to remove snags, not a brush.
Limit the use of hot blow-drying, crimpers, and curling irons. Before using
them protect the hair by applying a heat buffering spray. Rinse shampoo out
of your hair thoroughly and wash and condition it well after swimming in a
chlorine filled pool.
If the hair is normal and healthy, each individual hair
goes through a cycle of events: growth, fall, and replacement. Active phase
of growth is called Anagan (where new keratin is continuously being formed
in the follicle). This growth cycle can be 2-6 years.
This is followed by the Catagen phase when all division
suddenly ceases in germinal matrix. When the Catagen phase is complete, the
bulb enters a resting Telogen phase. Here the bulb separates from the root
and the hair eventually leaves the follicle (shedding). After this resting
stage, cell division begins again and a new hair forms in the follicle.
Composition of hair: 50.65% Carbon, 6.36% Hydrogen, 17.4%
Nitrogen, 5.0% Sulphur, 20.85% Oxygen. Interesting to note that dark hair
contains more carbon, less oxygen and light hair contains more oxygen, less
carbon.
At any time, about 85% of the follicles are in Anagen
phase, so the Catagen phase and Telogen phases are comparatively short.
Matrix cell divides approximately every 24 hours and the
increase in hair length averages about .37mm a day.
Close clipping, shaving, trimming, cutting, or singeing
have no effect on the rate of hair growth. Neither does the application of
ointments or oils.
A certain amount of hair is shed daily. This is
nature’s way of making way for new hair. The average daily shedding is
estimated at 50-80 hairs. Hair loss beyond this estimated average indicates
some scalp or hair trouble.
Eyebrows and eyelashes are replaced every 4-5 months.
The average area for a head is about 120 square inches
and there is an average of 1000 hairs to a square inch. The number of hairs
on the head varies with the color of the hair: Blonde 140,000, Brown
110,000, Black 108,000, Red 90,000.
Grey hair is caused by the absence of hair pigment in the
cortical layer. It is really mottled hair-spots of white or whitish yellow
scattered about in the hair shafts. Normally grey hair grows out in this
condition from the hair bulb. Greying does not occur after the hair has
grown.
Shaman’s Rattle: The
Magick of Magic spells
by Marion
A man was walking down the road when he heard a little
voice say, “Hello!” He looked down and there was a little frog which
said, “A wicked witch put a spell on me and changed me into a frog. If you
kiss me I’ll turn back into a princess.” The man bent down and put the
frog in his pocket and kept on walking. The frog began shouting at him,
“You have to kiss me before I turn into a princess.” “I’d rather
have a talking frog,” said the man!
 So
can wicked witches turn beautiful princesses into frogs? I doubt it, not
even way back then when knights roamed the world on horseback. However, that
some people can influence the lives of others by magic spells has been well
documented.
Study of primitive peoples who believe in the
supernatural can produce many examples of the results of incantations,
potions, charms, rites or invocations. (By the way, Magic is often spelled
Magick to differentiate it from magic as performed by stage magicians.)
Australian Aborigines have a ceremony called “Pointing
the bone” in which an accused member of the tribe has the “bone”
pointed at him. The result of this magic spell is that the particular member
of the tribe goes away and dies. That person does not even need to be
present when the bone pointing is done. He knows that it has happened and he
dies.
Voodoo (or Vodun) uses similar methods to affect those
upon whom a spell is cast, often using what is called a fetish in the magic
spell. The fetish itself is just an object and can be anything from a twig
to a skull. In a ritual the fetish becomes a vessel for a spirit, which will
then perform a certain task. Once the task is completed the spirit leaves
the fetish and it becomes an ordinary object again.
To potentiate a spell, tools are often used, all of which
help increase the supernatural aura. Tools used in Witchcraft for casting
spells include candles, incense, pentagrams, and water. These tools
represent the four elements - earth, air, fire, and water. The pentagram
represents earth and spells are usually done on a mat or cloth with a
pentagram on it. The candle flame represents fire, with black and white
candles the most commonly used in magic. Incense represents air, and its
scent may be important to the specific spell.
Other tools common in Witchcraft are altars, cauldrons,
salt, and herbs or other botanicals, and incantations. Altars are said to be
a personal working space and can be anywhere meaningful to the Witch.
Cauldrons are typically used for mixing or melting ingredients.
Spells can be used to ask for help, especially for
healing, and these are often called “White” magic, whilst spells which
are being done to harm someone else are called “Black” magic. You can
even cast a spell upon yourself if you are troubled, to try and help
yourself out of a problem, be it health or otherwise.
Witches keep their spells in a book called a “Book of
Shadows” or “Grimoire”. After casting each spell, exact rendering of
the spell and the results are recorded. Any potentially useful data should
be included. The time of day, date, weather, incantation used, lunar cycle,
what Witches were present, or anything unusual should be written, drawn, or
pasted into the book. The book and the Witch’s personal power grow
together. In this way Witches have their own array of magic tailored to
their own special powers and needs. This tuning and revision explains why
spells with the same goal can vary considerably from Witch to Witch and from
Coven to Coven, so don’t feel hard done by if only one eye of newt is
used, when last year it was three.
Despite all the tools and paraphernalia, many people feel
that the most important ingredient is the Witch. It is thought by some that
“pure intent” of the Witch is the only thing necessary for successful
spell casting. Some Witches feel that, “A spell is a prayer to the God or
Goddess.” I have heard this most often from Witches who belong to Wicca;
however, not all Wiccans may feel this is true.
Whatever the method, make no mistake about it, the power
of spells can be proved, although it is a dangerous power in the hands of
the uninitiated. A spell cast on another is said to affect the caster as
well. A spell is sometimes said to affect the caster three times as much as
the target and a more powerful spell may actually affect the caster nine
times as much as the target. Experts do warn novices to be careful with
strong magic.
Being a novice, I think I will restrict myself to kissing
frogs, though they do say that before you find your prince or princess you
have to kiss a lot of toads!
The Message In The Moon: Sun in Aires / Moon in
Aquarius - The Visionary
by Anchalee Kaewmanee
Of all the Arien combinations, this is one of the most
creative and expressive. But it is also the one most prone to emotional
conflict. Ideally, the Arien courage and initiative should uplift the
Piscean inner nature, enabling the person born into this Sun-Moon sign to
put all those creative ideas into practice. Unfortunately, insecurity and
uncertainty can stand in the way of the road to self-fulfilment. It is often
the case where emotion can override intellectual judgement.
These two signs are very different in nature. The Arien
personality and self image is aggressive, busy, and adventuresome. The
Piscean inner nature is passive, highly sensitive, and somewhat timid. It
could be difficult to live up to a dynamic self-image if over-sensitive and
shy emotions over rule a personality designed for bold ambition.
Fear and insecurity often keep this combination from
asserting itself and confronting challenges when they encounter them.
Usually these individuals find out early in life that they are not as daring
and as decisive as they thought they were, and often this results in
confusion and disillusionment. Eventually vague feelings of inferiority
arise and further cloud the image of self-worth. This instability can stall
development if allowed to prevail. A lucky child will have parents and
teachers who ascertain an emotional tug-of-war and provide a nurturing
environment which allows this sign to find its way to early self acceptance.
To look within and recognise ones talents and abilities
is certainly essential for this group. An acceptance of self is the key to
finding inspiration and reward. Sensitivity is a great asset and strength,
not a liability. It is better to work to understand one’s fears and look
them in the face in order to conquer them, than condemn out of hand what
could be a blessing.
Highly attuned to their environment, the Aries-Pisces
group tend to absorb and reflect the prevailing moods (and opinions) of
those around them. Therefore it is extremely important to associate with
other people who are healthy and stable enough to give encouragement and
emotional support. Keeping the channels of communication open at all times
is a wise way not to lose touch and stay grounded. This combinations risks
withdrawal and isolation, therefore it is very important to stay socially
active. Friends who can be counted on will be the best medicine for a morose
Pisces Moon sign. By talking about those self-perceived weaknesses rather
than stifling them, it is possible to work towards resolving them.
The Sun-Moon combination of Aries-Pisces is
professionally suited for creative fields. These individuals are capable of
exploring unknown and untried areas of art, music, design and film. In
possession of a unique and passionate imagination, they live a vivid and
colourful fantasy life. The American Hugh Hefner (Playboy Bunny innovator)
built an entire empire out of a single dream.
Most people born under this sign are also highly
intuitive - so the sixth sense can be trusted in almost any situation. There
is an uncanny and remarkable ability to sense the esoteric and many people
born into this combination are clairvoyant to some degree.
All of this imagination and emotional sensitivity play a
key role in the sexual needs of this sign. As in other areas of life, the
Arien ardour needs expression but may be blocked by the Piscean shyness. It
is advisable not to substitute elaborate fantasy for real, down-to-earth
interaction. Once some deep seated fears are overcome, there is no reason
why this combo should not enjoy a rich and rewarding relationship with a
mate.
The computer doctor
by Richard Brunch
From Jez, Pattaya:
Since 25th May, I have been unable to connect to the
Internet using my ANET Chonburi account, or to be more specific using either
of the 56K Dial Up telephone numbers (038 320 000 & 038 320 100). If I
use either of these numbers I get the following error message: “Checking
network protocol connections. TCP/IP CP reported error 738. The server did
not assign an address.” However, if I connect using any of the 33.6K
telephone numbers (038 326 683, 038 326 399, 038 771 414 & 038 771 415)
this error does not occur and I can actually use the Internet, but painfully
slowly! I am using a desktop PC running Windows 2000 Professional and an
external US Robotics modem. I have repeatedly telephoned ANET’s Chonburi
Office but cannot find anyone to speak to me in English. I have also sent
several e-mails in English which have been replied to in Thai and having had
the Thai translated this is no more than advising standard configuration
settings. Today someone has finally spoken to me in English but wants me to
take my computer to Chonburi. This is totally impracticable and I believe
unnecessary. What do you think and advise? I am totally frustrated.
Computer Doctor replies: Jez, not that it is of much
comfort to you, but I know of many people who like you cannot connect and
have suffered the same lack of concern from ANET in Chonburi. Indeed I
actually have an ANET account myself so can empathize with you. The problem
is not locally based at your PC, indeed it is evident in many PC’s running
different operating systems, Windows 98 and Windows ME as well as Windows
2000. I have personally contacted ANET in Chonburi by telephone and suffered
the same fate, even my Thai staff have been unable to get any sense from
ANET staff and as yet I cannot even establish if they are aware that they
have a problem, let alone have the knowledge or technical ability to rectify
it. Speaking to their Bangkok Office on Friday and again today did at least
bring forth someone who could communicate but declined to assist, referring
me once again to Chonburi, advising I speak with their assistant manager,
Khun Wathanon. When I telephoned his office he was unavailable and I was
given his mobile number. Although he answered, he said he could not speak
English. I find this hard to believe since anyone in a technical position
who is capable of performing their duties needs a good knowledge of English,
albeit American English, as this is the language of computers.
I then contacted Bangkok again and asked for a report in
English by e-mail detailing what if any action had been taken thus far and
what action was going to be taken in the future to rectify this problem. As
yet there has been no response.
It now appears that the 33.6K telephone numbers are also
experiencing problems as some are continually ringing, whilst others allow a
connection, but this is ‘dead’. It is extremely difficult to know what
to do at this stage since ANET seem to be either unwilling or unable to
address the problem. However, given the time that has already elapsed they
have had more than adequate time to source components, even from overseas.
Similarly, if their own staff do not have the ability as seems evident then
experts could have been engaged. If this problem still persists, then all
readers will have to become an annoyance to ANET and bombard them with
e-mails and telephone calls. For information, e-mail [email protected]
telephone 038 771 160 or 01 863 2202.
From Samatha Reece, Ban Chang: Whilst I was out
yesterday someone sent an “Urgent” warning about a virus. My husband
diligently followed the instructions and deleted SULFNBK.EXE from the
Windows directory. However, I am a little concerned. Does the computer need
it? And do I need to reinstall it?
Computer Doctor replies: This was a hoax. Whilst the
action requested and taken by your husband is unlikely to cause immediate
problems, this file is to do with backup and restoration of long filenames
in Windows 95/98. It would be prudent to replace it as soon as possible to
prevent future problems.
It seems timely to repeat some advice given previously.
Should you receive an unsolicited executable file in your email, for
instance TUNE.EXE, delete the email. Never launch or open unsolicited
executable code on your computer. Existence of any file on your hard drive
is not in itself evidence of a virus infection. This needs to be established
by running a good anti virus program. Regularly run a quality anti-virus
product and remember to keep it updated to protect against the latest
threats.
Even with the best of intentions, do not be tempted to
pass on virus warnings to all of your friends and colleagues. It is better
to establish the facts first by checking the websites of the better anti
virus software suppliers.
CORRECTION. The URL for Ad-Aware given recently was
incorrect, the correct URL is http://www.lavasoft.de/aaw/index.html
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]
The views and comments expressed within this column are
not necessarily those of the writer or Pattaya Mail Publishing.
Richard Bunch is managing director of Action Computer
Technologies Co., Ltd. providing professional services which include custom
database and application development; website design, promotion and hosting;
computer and peripheral sales service and repairs, pro audio solutions,
networks (LAN & WAN) and IT consulting. For further information, please
e-mail [email protected] or telephone/fax
038 716 816 or see our website www.act.co.th
A Slice of Thai History:
Not another Coup? Part Two (1948-1963)
by Duncan Stearn
In January 1948 the Democratic Party, led by Khuang
Aphaiwong won 54 of the 100 seats in an election for the National Assembly,
easily defeating the Tharmatipat Party of Field Marshal Pibul Songgram.
Needless to say, this didn’t sit well with the Field
Marshal and on April 7 he compelled Aphaiwong to resign and Pibul Songgram
had himself installed as Prime Minister.
Within weeks a number of opposition politicians were
arrested, as were the key Malay leaders of the four southern provinces.
Malay and Islamic organisations were outlawed.
On February 26, 1949, a two-day battle took place in and
around Bangkok between various army and navy units who alternately accused
each other of plotting to overthrow the Songgram government. Order was
eventually restored.
A few days later a leading opposition politician who had
been arrested the previous April, along with two others, was shot and killed
while ‘attempting to escape’ from the police.
Another unsuccessful coup was launched against Pibul
Songgram on June 29, 1951. Thai Marines and Naval units took Pibul prisoner
and held him aboard the flagship Sri Ayutthaya. However, the army,
police and the air force, the latter sinking the flagship, supported Pibul
thus allowing him to escape. The coup was suppressed after three days of
fighting that left over 1,200 people dead.
Over the next few years, Pibul tried to inject some
legitimacy into his regime, but after narrowly ‘winning’ a general
election in February 1957 he was forced to declare a State of Emergency
after a public outcry against the result. It proved to be the beginning of
the end.
In August, four members of the Pibul government resigned,
including Defence Minister Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat.
Calls for the resignation of Pibul grew and on September
17 Thailand was subjected to yet another bloodless coup as Sarit Thanarat,
at the head of the army and the police, seized power and imposed martial
law.
Four days later he abolished the National Assembly,
appointing Pote Sarasin as interim Prime Minister until fresh elections
could be conducted.
General Thanom Kittikachorn was appointed Prime Minister
following the January 1958 elections, but in October of that year Sarit
Thanarat assumed power in the name of a Revolutionary Council. He dissolved
the National Assembly, banned political parties and again imposed martial
law.
Sarit died on December 8, 1963 (leaving two wives, 50
mistresses and a fortune of over US$150 million) and General Thanom
Kittikachorn became Prime Minister.
Updated every Friday
Copyright 2001 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]
Updated by
Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.
E-Mail: [email protected]
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