Family Money: Picking Funds

By Leslie Wright

So you want to invest in the best offshore funds. But how do you find them? After all, picking good performers is what the investment game is all about.

Many variables make up a fund’s performance, from its underlying assets and its size (a large fund can benefit from economies of scale, a small fund can be more open to market volatility), to the field experience of a fund’s manager and the wider, less tangible, prevailing economic sentiment.

For instance, all technology funds - good and bad - were swept away on the tidal wave of dot-com hype, not on fundamental analysis of a particular fund’s underlying investments. Consequently, all fell heavily with the technology crash.

Worse, past performance - the most widely-used tool for judging a fund’s worth - is a less-than-reliable guide to future form. While a fund may perform well one year and reach the top 20 in its sector, research has shown that, on average, it will probably fall down the scale the next.

In all, there are over 7,500 offshore funds monitored by Standard & Poor’s, the rating agency. To sort the well-managed funds from the less so, S&P has developed its analytical Fund Management Ratings, a five-step ratings process to help investors and financial advisers evaluate and monitor offshore funds.

The first step in its rating process is the identification of funds offering consistent, above-average risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers over a defined three-year period. But as an illustration of just how volatile fund performance can be, roughly 80% of funds fail to pass this screening. As a result, only the top 20% of funds are eligible to enter the rating process.

On top of this past performance evaluation, S&P also conducts background audits, qualitative face-to-face interviews, puts funds through its “Rating Committee” and monitors rated funds continually. The Rating Committee then gives a Fund Rating, from “A”, “AA”, to the very best “AAA”. Out of the original 7,500 funds, only 40 have AAA status.

Just under 200 funds have attained the still-excellent AA status. Not that investors should automatically plough their life savings into any of these funds: past performance is the major filter for SEW and this can, as said, be far from guaranteed. But S&P do at least look at three-year performance figures and back this research with comprehensive fund manager interviews and background audits.

Big is beautiful

AAA funds are a diverse bunch, but interestingly, the 40 funds boil down to just 17 fund management houses. The mergermania prevalent in recent years has seen Chase Manhattan merge with Flemings (including Hong Kong-based Jardine Fleming), and then Chase Fleming itself merge with JP Morgan to form the titan JP Morgan Fleming Asset Management. The result is that JP Morgan Fleming currently manages over $600bn for its clients worldwide. This firm alone manages 8 of the 40 AAA funds, and a further 10 of the AA funds.

Jardine Fleming has had an excellent run, boasting five AAA funds, with the company dominating investment in South East Asia and the Pacific Rim. For example, its JF Pacific Securities fund, launched back in 1978, invests in the whole of Asia including Japan, and has returned over 80% over the last three years and is ranked third out of the 62 funds in the Equity Far East & Pacific fund sector.

Other management houses with a string of AAA funds include ACM Offshore Funds, Capital International, Gartmore, Henderson Global Investors, INVESCO GT Asset Management and Schroder. Like Jardine Fleming, which showed a clear grasp of the South East Asian markets, so some of these fund managers reveal strengths in certain markets: INVESCO GT in Japanese Smaller Companies; Gartmore in European equities; and Schroder with emerging markets.

Like leading Dutch investment house Robeco Group, Luxembourg-based Alliance Capital Management (ACM) boasts both a AAA Global Equity fund and a AAA Global Fixed Income fund, nicely covering both equities and bonds. In contrast, ACM’s India Liberalisation Fund is one of several more-focused equity funds in the AAA bunch. In all, ACM manages over $453bn in assets worldwide.

UK fund manager Gartmore shows a clear knowledge of European capital markets, with four AAA European equity funds. Gartmore, previously the fund management arm of UK bank NatWest, is now a subsidiary of US-based insurance and financial services provider Nationwide, one of the world’s largest financial groups.

Low investment levels

Most of the AAA funds have low minimum investment levels, making them suitable for retail expat investors. Many start at a minimum investment of $2,500~3,000 per fund. Additional investments into an existing holding typically require only about $1,000.

But investors should not focus on just the AAA funds. There are never guarantees when investing in stocks and shares. Post-September 11, the economic climate has been and will be a testing time for all fund managers, so expect some to fall out of the AAA group, and for AA and A funds and fund managers to move up the ladder.

Top notch fund groups, which have found their way into the AA ratings, include ABN Amro, American Express, Barclays, a large showing from Fidelity (the world’s biggest fund manager), Global Asset Management (GAM), more from INVESCO, Investec Guinness Flight, five more Asia funds from JF (Jardine Fleming clearly know Asia very well), Merrill Lynch, Newton Fund Managers, and many more funds from Schroder and Deutsche Bank-owned Scudder.

For offshore investors who like to make their own choices, further information is available for free on the Standard & Poor’s website www.funds-sp.com

However, I would caution investors that making up a portfolio of offshore funds is a lot more complex than just picking last year’s top performers.

I would recommend seeking professional advice on your selections before making any commitments - and consider how you’re going to monitor and manage your portfolio once you’ve bought it. Do you have the time, the interest, the expertise, with which to make judicious investment decisions? Or would you be better off hiring a professional portfolio manager to do that task for you? If the latter, I know one right here in Pattaya!

Snap Shot: William Henry Fox Talbot - thinking positively

by Harry Flashman

While the Frenchman Louis Jacques Mande Daguerre is thought of as the father of photography by most people, the title is not quite correct. The father of photography, as we know it today, was none other than an Englishman, William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877). It was this man who came up with the concept of producing a negative of an image and from that negative producing as many positives as you want from your master negative. A “positive” outcome from a “negative” event, I suppose you could call it.

Talbot began his search in 1833, after despairing at his own talent (or lack of) as a draughtsman. The Camera Obscura had been invented by that time to allow an image to be focussed on a screen, but nobody knew how to “fix” that image for perpetuity.

Talbot was aware of the sensitivity of silver nitrate to light and following his hunches he managed to produce the first “negatives” in the summer of 1835. One of these was a study of a lattice window at Lacock Abbey and is the oldest surviving negative in the world. A 165 year old negative that can still be printed from is amazing, considering the degradation in the quality of some negatives I had done in Vietnam only 10 years ago, which was painfully obvious when I went to get some prints done a couple of weeks back.

The greatest problem for Talbot was the ‘fixing’ of the positive print. For four years he had been struggling to perfect the process when suddenly Daguerre made the world news with his success in this area.

Talbot renewed his efforts and discovered, as Daguerre had, the concept of “developing” a latent image by exposing the negative to various chemicals. By 1841 Talbot had honed his process and published an article called “The process of calotype photogenic drawing.” He secured patent rights to this which included sensitising paper with a coating of silver nitrate, followed by potassium iodide, to form silver iodide. The paper was then treated with gallic acid and then silver nitrate again. The paper negative was then exposed and ‘developed’ with gallo-nitrate of silver solution. The final fixing was then done with hypo-sulphate of soda solution. The end result was called a calotype or even Talbotype.

It was Talbot who produced the first commercially published book illustrated with photographic prints. This was called “The pencil of nature” and had five calotype prints including views of Oxford and Paris.

Talbot also discovered the principle of the half-tone screen to allow the transfer of photographic images to the printed page, still in use today.

Talbot left many images, some still lives, while others were portraits of family, friends and staff. He had a rare artistic vision and an enquiring scientific mind and does deserve the title as the father of photography (despite what the French might say)!

Vanishing Bangkok

One of Thailand’s renowned photographers is Surat Osathanugrah. To celebrate the 40th year of Bangkok University, there is an exhibition of his Black and White work being displayed at the National Gallery, in Chao Fah Road from the 5th January until the 27th of this month. The contrast between the dilapidated old wooden house, probably on one of the waterways in Bangkok Noi and the new skyscraper in the distance certainly does illustrate a Bangkok which is vanishing. Thank you Ernie Kuhnelt for bringing this exhibition to my notice.

Modern Medicine: Acne vulgaris - a vulgar name for a common condition

by Dr Iain Corness, Consultant

There is only a handful of people who go through their teenage years without suffering from acne vulgaris, otherwise known as “zits”. The official figures are that it affects 90% of boys and 80% of girls in the 13-17 year age bracket. Now while we always think of it as a condition of adolescence, the bad news is that it appears to be starting to spread into middle age as well. Zits forever! Perish the thought.

There is a tendency to trivialize acne just because everyone goes through it, but when you take into consideration that acne scarring can be permanent, and that for the adolescent sufferer this can produce depression, social isolation and even suicide, then the condition takes a much higher medical profile.

The actual cause of acne is still not fully understood, though we do understand the disease process. What happens is that there is an increase in sebum production by the oil producing glands in the skin. This results in blockage of the oil producing gland itself (the follicle) which then becomes invaded and infected by a bug called Proprionibacterium acnes. This results in the pustular Mt. Vesuvius on the face which is the scourge of the teenage years.

Unfortunately, there is much myth surrounding the causation of the zits. The first is that it is caused by eating too much chocolate and fatty foods. While I believe there is a connection, the sugary and fatty foods are not the cause. I believe it accelerates the condition, though.

There is also an underlying thought that acne is the result of poor hygiene. Let me assure you that this is not the case. “Blackheads” are not dirt and the dark colour is a combination of melanin and the skin cells and the plug of sebum.

Another problem comes from the fact that teenagers get told that acne is just a “normal” part of growing up and don’t worry about it. While most kids will get the condition, it is not “normal” and should never be thought of that way.

Another of the great myths is that prescription treatments do not work. This is not correct, the earlier the treatment is instituted, the less likelihood there is of permanent scarring. I am sorry, but I have never been a fan of the proprietary preparations which are heavily advertised on TV. If they can spend that much money on advertising, the expensive tube of wonder goo must have a huge profit margin in it.

So what treatments are available? Basically there are two types - rub it on (which we call topical) or swallow it (which we call oral therapies). The problems that occur are the fact that there is no “instant” cure and treatment may have to be maintained for up to 6 months, or even longer. There is now an oral form of a group of drugs called retinoids too, and while these have really produced a small “break through” in the treatment of acne, they are also a very hazardous form of treatment which has to be done under the close supervision of a skin specialist.

So that’s the acne story. Don’t just accept it as inevitable - get treatment early!

Women’s World: Kissed by the fairies

by Lesley Warner

Someone questioned me about my birthmark the other day, the first time for many years, but Thais, bless them, have this habit of asking direct questions. I’m sure there are other ladies that read the column, especially the younger readers that can be upset by any discolouration on their face. From birth I have been blessed with a coffee coloured birth mark near my mouth. It has never caused me a problem, apart from as a very small child when people were constantly trying to clean it off, thinking it was a dirty mark. Fortunately this stopped in later years.

I have been lucky but there are those that have a much worse mark to live with. These days there are remedies to remove a birthmark but I don’t feel inclined to try for myself, it’s a bit too late in life!

In some cultures they think that a birthmark is a sign that the person is special - either special good or special bad. I always used to say that the fairies had kissed me when I was born and that’s what I like to believe.

The birthmark is generally not a risk to health. They are not genetic and can be found on people of all races, creed and colour. A birthmark, or haemangioma or nevus (more general terms for birthmarks and moles, respectively) is really clusters of capillaries in the dermis (the lower part) of the skin.

For laser treatment they use a high intensity laser light, which is targeted at the abnormal pigment (melanin) in these spots. This damages the pigment and the body’s natural healing process gradually clears it away over a number of weeks. Your eyes will be covered to protect them from the high intensity light beam. The laser light is emitted in very short pulses. It feels like a hot pinprick on the skin. Most people do not need anaesthesia although it is available if required. Treatment lasts from five to forty-five minutes depending on how much needs to be treated.

There is immediate whitening of the skin, followed by redness. Over the next few days, this will become brown and will peel off in seven to ten days. It can be covered with makeup during this period if desired. The area may appear slightly pink for six weeks following treatment.

Some birthmarks may need more treatments and there is no guarantee, some birthmarks may start to return after a period of time. However, the procedure can be repeated.

Afterwards an antibiotic ointment is applied twice a day for three days. Sun protection is essential. Sometimes a fading lotion may be prescribed to use.

Side effects are very rare. Occasionally there can be an increase or decrease in the pigmentation of the skin but this is usually temporary. Scarring is very rare but I suggest considerable research on plastic surgeons before you allow anyone near your face with a laser.

It is very easy to disguise most birthmarks and freckles with makeup; there is an endless supply on sale. Please do it carefully though, badly applied makeup is likely to bring more attention to the birthmark that you are trying to cover up. Get advice from a beautician on the correct colour for your skin.

Heart to Heart with Hillary

Dear Hillary,

I get confused with all the holidays in Thailand. Every month there appears to be some sort of public holiday, and even all the western holidays seem to be celebrated as well. We have just had the western new year, and there’s the Chinese and Thai versions still to come. The office girl is forever doing something for another “Buddha Day” and rolling up late. Have you any suggestions as to how I can work out when the next holiday is due?

Confused Charles

Dear Confused Charles,

Have you ever thought of looking at a Thai calendar, my Petal? I don’t know, you men appear to be getting thicker and thicker. Now send chocolates before I get annoyed!

Dear Hillary,

With all these men writing to you to say how they have been tricked or cheated in Thailand, perhaps it is time to say that not everyone has a hard-luck story to tell. There is another side to the coin. Certainly there are differences between Thai women and European/American women, but that is part of their charm. There are also differences in culture, so to say that looking after sick or needy relatives is an imposition means that the man does not understand the “family” culture here, as opposed to the selfish culture of “me first” above everything else, which is the usual situation in the west. Nar and I have been together for fifteen years and I support our children and one from Nar’s previous marriage. Certainly the relatives stay with us when they are in town, but it is a small price to pay, offset by the pleasure that Nar gets while they are here. I think many of these men who write to you are selfish in their attitude, and they bring the end results upon themselves. To those men who complain about all the problems they have, I say treat the Thai women with consideration, respect their culture, this is their country, not yours and you will be rewarded with a deep and satisfying association.

Ex GI Joe

Dear Ex GI Joe,

It pleases Hillary very much to see there are some men over here who are prepared to admit to and respect the fact that they are guests in this country. Sure, there are societal differences as this is not America, this is Amazing Thailand. Fitting in as ex GI Joe has done is very much better than trying to mould the women and the customs to your western ways. As ex GI Joe writes, you will be rewarded. By the same token, you should carefully choose your life’s mate, slowly and thoughtfully, just as you would do when looking for a mate in your own countries. One night of passion is not the basis for a strong and lasting union, something many of you appear not to have understood.

Dear Hillary,

I read the Pattaya Mail every week from Los Angeles and your column is first as I find it the best part of the whole paper. I am married to a wonderful Thai lady whom I met on the internet and who worked in Pattaya at an internet shop. I read week after week about the Farangs that get burned and the anger and distrust that the Thai ladies have to endure. I would like to tell your readers that I for one have met and married a wonderful Thai lady who has brought much happiness and love to my life. My first wife passed away 7 years ago after 29 years of marriage and to have found a new love so late in my life (I will be 60 this year) is wonderful. My wife is 50 this year never having been married before and she is an absolute joy. The melding of our two cultures together has given us both much happiness and yes even many moments of amusement. I for one have learned to love the Thai people and the country of Thailand and look forward to the day when my wife and I can return to visit and maybe live in Thailand again. Hillary your column is a ray of sunshine in an otherwise dark world. Thank you for bringing that sunshine into our lives here in the US every week.

Jerry and Tu

Dear Jerry and Tu,

Oooohhh! You’ve made Hillary blush, but jokes aside, both yourself and ex GI Joe have shown that it is very possible for a western male to find true love and happiness with a Thai lady. Hillary believes that if you look in the “right” places, you will find the gems you are looking for. Now then, Jerry, have you any friends in the Napa Valley area who, after tour recommendation, would like to send their proposal of marriage to me, wrapped around a nice bottle(s) of wine? Please don’t worry about chilling before sending, as I have a refrigerator which does all that wonderfully well.

Dear Hillary,

How many chocolates and champagnes did you get for Xmas/New Year, and do you really think you deserved them? Let us into the secret.

Chuck

Dear Chuck,

Of course Hillary deserved them! Having to put up with sarcastic people like you all year is enough for anyone to need a little sweetener. I notice you didn’t send any!

Grapevine

Social order Restrictions are getting tighter in our fair city. You can’t get served in a bar if you’re under twenty and, if you’re under eighteen, it’s maybe illegal to be out after 10 p.m. without parental supervision under a law of the 1970s. Let’s hope the latest rumor isn’t true that snowballing is to be outlawed in Pattaya at all times. It’s a dangerous sport you see. Don’t mess with them Under revised regulations, possession of fifteen or more methamphetamines now means offenders will be charged with intent to distribute rather than just possession. Sentences can range up to life imprisonment or, in the most serious cases, the death penalty. Don’t let media silence fool you. In recent months, nine traffickers have been executed and fifty more are on death row. Where to look A reader asks where to look in an admittedly optimistic quest to find his camera and DVD player which were stolen from his house whilst he was out. Well, a lot of this gear ends up in local pawnshops. They are scattered throughout the city, but many are in Central Road and nearby Soi Bukao. A long shot, true, but it has been known to work on occasion. Explosive news Correspondents from Northern Kuwait tell us that, since the Gulf War, men no longer walk in front of their wives. The wives, formerly well to the rear, are now in the lead. However, early hopes that equal opportunities have at last reached this particular outpost of male dominance have been dashed. It seems the guys don’t fancy accidentally stepping on a landmine. A good choice Varied choices and fair prices at the Paradise Cafe and Grill on the Second Road, opposite the Royal Garden Plaza. GEOC (Grapevine Eating Out Collective) was impressed by the peppered ostrich steak with blue cheese sauce and the turkey curry South African style. Ambiance and service both good. Give it a try sooner rather than later.

Kamikaze sport An elderly Japanese tourist died suddenly after hitting his first hole in one at a local golf course. At first it was assumed he had had a sudden heart attack brought on by all the excitement. However, his partner later admitted hitting him over the head several times with a three wood after realizing he had lost the round and the bet. Of course, this illustrates why gambling is so dangerous. Legal eagle A farang complains that, in a recent road accident, his passport was kept by the police for several days even though he was a passenger on a motorbike which was involved. Actually, this is not that uncommon. If an accident involves injury to a person, especially a Thai, the police may want to hold on to the passport of material witnesses until their enquiries are completed and reports written. It doesn’t necessarily mean you are under suspicion. Visa news Latest reports from Penang suggest it is very difficult to obtain a non-immigrant visa of any type. There have even been cases of farangs refused even though they had the paperwork to show they were in process of applying for, or renewing, a work permit. Applicants are being told to go back to their home country if they want more than a tourist visa. If you must go to Malaysia for a non-immigrant visa, you could be better off trying the consulate in Kuala Lumpur. Political lesson Christian Democrat. You have two cows. You keep one and give one to your neighbor. Socialist. You have two cows. The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor. Communist. You have two cows. The government seizes both and provides you with milk. Fascist. You have two cows. The government seizes both and sells you the milk. Capitalism. You have two cows. You sell one, buy a bull and raise a whole herd. French Corporation. You have two cows. You go on strike because you want three. Italian Corporation. You have two cows but don’t know where they are. You break for lunch.

Shaman’s Rattle: The Food Doctor in the City

It is possible to stay fit and healthy, greatly minimise ageing and overcome the pollutants and toxic overload even in modern city living, by dietary and peaceful measures. To those of us who are allergic to strenuous exercise this good news indeed.

We are all daily constantly subjected to numerous toxins and poisons in our water, our food, even the air we breathe. An invaluable book, “The Food Doctor in the City,” by nutritionist Ian Marber, gives a reassuring guide to overcoming the stresses and pollutants of city life. Marber clearly shows what foods to avoid and what to include in the diet to protect and detoxify the body, even much welcomed anti-ageing measures.

Modern city life has produced more toxins than we were ever designed to handle. The obvious traffic fumes containing lead and carbon monoxide; exposure to Cfc’s (chlorofluorocarbons) in air-conditioning, aerosols and refrigerators; cigarette smoke; industrial chemicals; metals such as mercury, aluminium and cadmium; pesticides; diets high in sugar and saturated and damaged fats, yeasts, microbes and bacteria; all combined take a heavy toll and produce a challenge to the body’s organs. All this overload results in toxic build up where excess toxins are stored in the body’s tissues and cells causing serious damage. Marber explains, “City life brings with it increased exposure to free radicals - very short lived destructive molecules, which have many damaging effects.

“They can impair the lining of arteries, cause internal inflammation and even signs of ageing. While a natural by-product of metabolism, free radical exposure is dangerously increased in city life by pollution, chemicals and stress.”

Oxidation is always damaging to whatever is oxidised, although often it is very useful - indeed, it is the source of all our energy, and our bodies could not work without it. But in other cases, as when free radicals bring about cell damage in disease processes, it is far from useful and we naturally want to try to do something to stop it. Fortunately the body has natural defences to protect it from free radical damage, antioxidant compounds which rely on the Vitamins A, C and E and the minerals selenium and zinc for their manufacture. “It is vital that we eat fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains daily, all of which are rich in these antioxidant nutrients. Consumed daily, such foods can support the liver’s ability to detoxify more efficiently,” says Marber. For an example of an antioxidant at work, look at the anti-browning action of lemon juice (Vitamin C) on a slice of apple exposed to the air.

For those wishing to boost their natural protection, daily basic vitamin and mineral antioxidant supplements are available. Dr Robert Giller in his brilliant book “Natural Prescriptions” recommends taking 1000mg of Vitamin C; 400 to 600 I.U. of Vitamin E; 10,000 to 25,000 I.U. of Beta-carotene (Vitamin A), and 100 to 200 micrograms (mcg.) of Selenium, for their antioxidant properties.

High body burdens or toxic build up of heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, aluminium and cadmium, causes serious disease including impaired brain function, dementia, osteoporosis, bone and muscle pain and fatigue. The good news is there are foods which can chelate or eliminate these metals. “Lead Chelation is achieved by pectin from apple skins; algin from seaweed; Vitamin C found in citrus fruit, strawberries, kiwis and potatoes; and fibre in fruit and vegetables and whole grains such as oats, reducing the initial absorption of lead. Zinc has the same effect and can be found in egg yolks, fish, oysters, turkey and sesame/sunflower seeds.”

Sources of aluminium found in some toothpastes, antacids, anti-diarrhoea mixtures such as Kaopectate, some douches, many deodorants, buffered aspirin and aluminium cookware should be avoided, as aluminium is believed to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. “Deficiencies of other minerals allow aluminium to be taken up by the body, so ensure the diet is rich in foods that contain zinc, iron and calcium. Zinc is found in sardines, tuna, chicken, cucumber, cauliflower, carrots, oats, almonds, eggs and potatoes; iron in nuts, seeds, whole grains and blackstrap molasses; and calcium’s found in almonds, green leafy vegetables, salmon and soya products. The metal mercury, which is also toxic or poisonous in high concentrations, is present in some fish and older dental amalgams. Ensuring the diet is rich in calcium and zinc can reduce its uptake.”

Alcohol, tobacco and chemicals are some of the toxins which we deliberately inflict on ourselves not knowing or caring about the ageing and damaging effects they have on us and our children. We smoke and drink alcohol and attempt to ignore or deny the serious damage it does to us and our children, those still in the womb and those around us who have no choice but to be victims of passive smoking and alcohol dependant, socially liable adults. We buy produce that is sprayed with pesticides. We drink “diet soft drinks” and eat packaged, processed food that contains harmful chemicals and include overheated, damaged fats in our diets. Marber reiterates what Dr. Sandra Cabot says in “The Liver Cleansing Diet, Be Kind to Your Liver to Live Longer” that the liver is a major detoxifying organ. “It is important to remember that the liver processes many toxins including alcohol,” says Marber. “Drinking alcohol every day means that the liver has to work harder to handle its workload. If you do drink daily, consider giving your body a break from alcohol (a few weeks if you can, or perhaps a few days every month) or drinking moderately only three times a week.”

(Remember, drinking moderately is no more than two standard glasses per day for women and four standard glasses per day for men.) “This will allow the body more of a chance to free stored toxins and process them efficiently.”

“Our total toxic burden increases if processed or packaged foods are eaten regularly. Ideally, processed foods should constitute only a very small part of our diet, not a major part.”

Next edition features foods which help detoxify the body and anti ageing measures. “The Food Doctor in the City” by Ian Marber ISBN 1-85585-818-5 is a great reference book to have at hand. Marber also can be found at the web site www.thefooddoctor.com

Antique, are they genuine? The Pontil Mark

The pontil mark is simply the scar left when the finished glass is broken off from the pontil iron. During the 18th and 19th centuries most tablewares were transferred to the pontil rod in order to allow excess glass to be sheared away, to shape the pouring lip and to add the handles on jugs. The practice continues to this day for certain items such as jugs and large bowls. Virtually all hand-made glass, whether it is contemporary or antique will carry signs of a pontil mark. It is not a guarantee of age.

A wineglass dated about 1870 held in the gadget as it would have appeared during manufacture.

The appearance of the pontil on 18th century glassware was a feature that was not lost on the makers of reproduction glasses. One Sturbridge firm that specialized in this trade was H. G. Richardson and Sons. From the 1840s until the 1880s the company pioneered many new techniques. But by the early 20th century they were concentrating a noticeable part of their output on reproductions. The drawings of ‘old glass’ in their pattern books often bear the additional note “pontil not ground” or the equivalent: “not puntied”.

There are genuine 18th century glasses that do not have ground pontils. Facet-cut wine gasses are one of the examples where it is simple enough to grind the pontil as part of the cutting process. The cutting wheel leaves a more or less circular area of polished glass in various diameters, some as small as the original pontil; others go across the entire foot. More expensive pieces would also have the scar removed; including cruet bottles and containers fitted into silver or plated stands. The flat base helped the glass to stand firmly and avoid damage to the stand or table tops.

During the 19th century in England, the gadget was introduced as a speedier alternative to the pontil rod. It consists of a hollow steel tube about 54 inches long, containing a spring loaded rod. The working end of a gadget consists of two jaws which open when the plunger is operated. The foot of the hot wineglass is slid into the jaws which are clamped back to hold it while the bowl is opened out and the rim is sheared. The action and pressure of the jaws leave a ghost image on the top of the surface of the foot. When the class has been completed the plunger is pushed to open the jaws again and release the glass. The mark left on the underside is a characteristic ‘T’ or “Y’ shape. The period for the introduction of the gadget has been given as c. 1760-1800. This seems too early however, since no glasses of that date carry the ghost image of the jaws. The majority of glasses with the mark date from the 1860s onwards and it is likely that the gadget did not come into use until this time.

A variation on the classic pontil mark is a type sometimes called a waffle. It worked on the same principle, but the molten glass on the end of the pontil iron was impressed with a crisscross pattern, using the glassmaker’s pincers. The result was that only four small points were stuck onto the glass, making it easier to remove the iron. It is seen most often on European glass, including Venetian. In the 20th century some of the ‘Monart’ vases made by John Moncrieff of Perth have a raised circular pontil, usually matt, which may occasionally still bear the factory paper label. Studio glassmakers sometimes use an oxy-acetylene torch to reheat the pontil, thereby softening the sharp edges and eliminating the need to grind it away. Other studio glass firms will impress their trademark into the pontil while it is hot.

The collector will come across glass without any visible sign of a pontil. The classic example is the majority of Roman blown glass, although there are odd exceptions to this rule. Some glass which is hand made is stuck into a large flat disc of glass on the end of the pontil and any unsightly marks on the edges of feet or bases may be ground away. In such instances other factors need to be looked at to give a clue to age. Glass that has been pressed in metal molds will not have the pontil mark. Examples include 19th century items and mass produced molded 20th century glass such as Crystal d’ Arques.

Animal Crackers: Scorpions - "Spiders" with a sting

by Mirin MacCarthy

A feared arachnid with a sting in its tail. Although unlikely to kill a human being, it can certainly make grown men cry with the pain.

Scorpions are called “arthropods” and are relatives of spiders, mites and ticks. There is no single species of scorpion and in fact there are approximately 1,300 species of these stingers throughout the world.

Where they inhabit is just as varied as the scorpions themselves. Scorpions are commonly thought of as desert dwellers, but in fact, they occur in many other habitats as well, including grasslands and savannahs, deciduous forests, pine forests, rain forest and caves. Scorpions have even been found under snow covered rocks at elevations of over 4,000 metres in the Andes Mountains of South America and the Himalayas of Asia.

Some scorpions grow quite large, with the “long-tailed” South African Scorpion (Hadogenes troglodytes) reaching over 20 cm, and is probably the longest scorpion in the world. Some of the African and Asian Emperor Scorpions routinely reach (and probably exceed) 15 cm.

As arachnids, scorpions have mouthparts called chelicerae, a pair of pedipalps, and four pairs of legs. The pedipalps are used like pincers to capture prey and are also used for defence. The body is divided into two main regions, a cephalothorax and an abdomen. The cephalothorax is covered above by a carapace (or head shield) that usually bears a pair of median eyes and 2 to 5 pairs of lateral eyes at its front corners.

The abdomen has 12 distinct segments, with the last five forming the “tail”. At the end of the abdomen is the telson, which bears a bulb-shaped structure containing the venom glands and a sharp, curved aculeus to deliver the venom.

Scorpions are nocturnal, predatory arachnids that feed on a variety of insects, spiders, centipedes, and even other scorpions. The larger scorpions occasionally feed on vertebrates, such as smaller lizards, snakes, and mice. They locate their prey by sensing vibrations through the pedipalps which have fine sensory hairs called trichobothria that sense air borne vibrations; and the tips of the legs have small organs that detect vibrations in the ground.

Despite their venomous sting scorpions are considered fine fare by many types of creatures, such as centipedes, tarantulas, insectivorous lizards, birds (especially owls), and mammals (including shrews, grasshopper mice, bats). They are even a delicacy that can be found on street corners in South Pattaya!

The fabled venom is a complex mixture of neuro-toxins that affects the nervous system. Despite their bad reputation, only one species in the U.S. and about 20 others worldwide have venom potent enough to be considered dangerous to humans.

The venom from most scorpions can produce severe pain and swelling at the site of the sting, numbness, frothing at the mouth, difficulties in breathing (including respiratory paralysis), muscle twitching, and convulsions.

The world’s most dangerous scorpions live in North Africa and the Middle East (species of Androctonus, Buthus, Hottentotta, Leiurus), South America (Tityus), India (Mesobuthus), and Mexico (Centruroides). In some of these areas, scorpion stings may be a significant cause of death, but reliable data on human mortality is not readily available. Statistics suggest mortality rates of up to about 4% in hospital cases, with children and the aged being most susceptible. Death is the result of heart or respiratory failure some hours after the incident.

Scorpions have a long gestation period (from several months to a year and a half, depending on species) in which the young develop as embryos in the female’s ovariuterus. On average, a female gives birth to about 25-35 young. They remain on her back until they moult for the first time, usually within a week or two after birth, and once they climb down, they exist independently.

Scorpions which survive to adulthood live for 3-5 years, though some species will live as long as 15 years.

The Computer Doctor

by Richard Bunch

As another year begins, it is fair to say that the year 2001 has seen a rapid rise in the number viruses and ever increasing destructive payloads.

As well as preventing systems from working, it also saw viruses like SirCam harvest confidential user information which was then e-mailed to third parties.

One no doubt recalls Melissa which sent itself to everybody in a users address book, then the LoveLetter virus, which in essence was an update of Melissa, which within hours had become just about the most successful (that’s probably the wrong word, unless you are the programmer responsible) virus known.

Without question, the Internet and e-mail are essential tools for conducting business in a modern world. When the fax was introduced, it seemed like all prayers had been answered, but then came e-mail which was a giant leap forward for communication. Sadly, this medium also had a downside, because as well as bringing useful information it could also deliver unwanted and potentially harmful mail. The speed at which e-mails wend their way across the world also means that viruses spread rapidly. The vast increase in traffic caused by some of the viruses this year has seen the Internet virtually grind to a halt, particularly in countries where the infrastructure is not 100% in the first place.

To keep your PC healthy and avoid attacks, it is essential that you have a quality antivirus program installed. This should provide permanent protection and have automatic updates (virus software is only as good as the last virus database).

Though unfortunate as it may be, someone has to suffer an infection first before the antidote can be developed. For this reason heuristic protection is also required which will identify any virus like activity from an as yet unknown virus. It should detect and repair all viruses accurately and not raise false alerts. The software also needs to be easy to install, not too slow when running and have a ‘clean’ intuitive user interface, after all we are talking about something which is serious, and any room for a user to misinterpret or cause damage needs to be avoided.

Finally the software needs to have responsive and technically competent support personnel.

This year also saw the launch of Microsoft’s new Operating System, Windows XP and several of the big names in antivirus software were caught napping and did not have an XP compatible product at launch. I find this inexcusable, particularly as users will no doubt have purchased antivirus software. Then when upgrading to Windows XP found it to be incompatible so, being responsible, were forced to purchase from an antivirus software company that had a compatible product. Not the best way to ensure customer loyalty!

Probably some of the best known names in antivirus software are McAfee, Norton, Sophos, F-secure, PCcillin and lesser known entrants, Panda and Bit Defender. How these rate and the winner later.

When antivirus software is installed on a PC, it looks for viruses, worms, and Trojan horses and once identified attempts to repair the damage. If this is not possible it reports what action is necessary to do this manually. The latter is sometimes irksome and frightening to the average PC user. Weaknesses in some e-mail clients, notably some versions of Microsoft Outlook have been exploited by more recent worms, and it is worth mentioning at this point that checking out the manufacturer’s site for updates, patches and fixes on a regular basis is also a worthwhile and essential exercise.

Many of Microsoft’s products have an automated update facility and it is probably worth setting the default for this to enabled. Later versions of Outlook by default block potentially damaging files from being run. These include .exe, .scr, .bat etc. Whilst this is laudable, it also reduces the functionality of the program and prevents the legitimate exchange of files.

Trojan horses are really a modern day equivalent of what one perceives as the traditional Trojan horse, but whilst they may purport to give the user something of benefit often will grant access to your PC to the Trojan horse’s creator. Probably the most famous of these is ‘BackOrifice’ which has been about for what seems like ages and in essence is a remote administration tool.

To be continued next week …

Social Commentary by Khai Khem

'Tough Love' or misdirected politics?

By now anyone who is interested in what is happening in Thailand has noticed we have a government crackdown going on regarding closing hours in our entertainment industry which caters to the night creatures among us. Bars are now required to close at 2:00 a.m. The reason given by our Ministry of Interior is to protect the youth of the nation. Tippling tourists seem to be the most vocal about the new closing hours. The real crux of the argument seems to be whether a directive from the nation’s capital city will rescue our wayward youth. Will forcing estabishments which serve liquor to close down two hours earlier really bring our tumultuous teenagers to heel? Rarely has any government or ruling body had much success in legislating morality. Politicians know that there is not much they can do about that in actual fact. It is, however, always nice to appear to be doing something about it.

The truth is that young people here in Thailand are not very different from their counterparts anywhere else in the world. Their parents are not different either. Thais love and worry about their children. They cannot perform miracles in regards to handling teenagers any more than parents in Western countries. Perfectly good and caring Moms and Dads everywhere are finding their kids are acquiring a taste for drinking and drugs. And this is shaking up their homes. There is no quick fix to this problem and no one idea is going eliminate some rambunctious teens from the unsavoury party scene in which some of them are so involved. Closing down businesses that serve alcohol to minors should be expeditious and final. But there are also some ways in which parents can deal with their children that allows them to regain some control.

Many communities in the USA are providing information sessions throughout health centres which are run by behavioural therapists and clinical health workers. These sessions are geared specifically to teach parents ‘Street Smart’ parenting. Support groups are forming alliances with therapists to bring parents up do date on drug use. These mothers and fathers will hone their street smarts in a battle to regain control of their families. They also work with families who do not seem to care, or find it too difficult or hurtful to try.

Stalled in a state of denial, some parents give up in despair. They may be ashamed, or perhaps they just don’t want to know in case they must look too closely at themselves. There are plenty of others who are just plain battle weary. They had worked hard to set boundaries and consequences for their children who are addicted to drugs, chemicals and alcohol, but they come to the sessions to talk to therapists to get fresh ideas. They have not given up. Many of these parents are worried about younger children in the family and want to find ways of helping their other children avoid the same pitfalls.

Street smart parents learn to spot signals that something is wrong with their children. Youngsters who are smart and talented often develop dramatic mood swings. Students with good grades often begin failing their subjects at school. When asked what is wrong they will almost always lie. Parents who are new to this situation often have no idea there are drugs or alcohol involved until the son or daughter gets into trouble either at school or with the law. But therapists and school officials have gained a lot of experience observing behaviour of kids in trouble, and want parents to know they don’t have to fight this issue alone. First and foremost, they believe that when parents feel something is not quite right, they should trust their instincts. Support sessions which educate parents to gain street smarts about substance abuse provide older family members with a list of reminders which is meant to both reassure parents and give them a nudge to act at a time when they aren’t always sure where to start.

Parents need to know that drinking and drugs are a common concern facing kids and their families. This problem affects quiet children, extroverted children, smart kids and average kids. Changes in a child’s behaviour, friends, diet, mood, hygiene, habits, and places often frequented are cause for concern. Responsible family members should not put their suspicions aside until they have proof. If they have hunches about one of their children, they are probably right. This problem does not make them a bad parent. Often substance abuse is symptomatic of something else not going right. The whole family must understand that a substance abuse problem will not disappear by itself. Mothers and fathers who ignore it are doing a disservice to their child and to themselves.

All parents need to talk with someone about their concern who will keep their confidentiality in tact. They should find out where treatment is available close to home. Shouting, threatening and scare tactics rarely work, except to upset everyone in the family even more. Parents should assure the child that they are acting out of love and concern, because support and encouragement are essential. Drug and alcohol abuse are often such a hush-hush subject that parents may be afraid to bring it to the attention of someone ‘official’, such as a school official or a cleric for fear of repercussions. They are also afraid of being perceived as poor parents. If they are skittish they should arrange a visit with their family doctor or paediatrician. There may come a time when someone will have to step in. In most cases that will be the parent. The phrase ‘tough love’ is exactly what it implies. But parents need to know they don’t have to tackle a family crisis alone.

If the Thai government earnestly wants to address the best interests of our nation’s young people, it would be better to back community projects which help families help themselves.

Down The Iron Road: The Great Western 4-6-0 Family - Part 9

by John D. Blyth, P.O. Box 97, Pattaya City 20260

The ‘Granges and Manors’

These two Classes, which appeared from Swindon in 1936 and 1938 respectively, had a closer affinity than their appearance and size might suggest. Both were produced as replacements for time-expired 4301 Class 2-6-0s which had done such sterling work. Indeed, each ‘Grange’ or Manor’ contained some parts withdrawn from 4301s. It was a deliberate act to make the former substantially larger and more powerful than the latter. Two series were produced whose weight would in one case restrict them to the more important lines and in the other to allow them to operate over subsidiary lines. Thus Churchward’s ‘small-wheeled 4-6-0’ idea of 1902 finally appeared 34 years later and some time after his death.

‘Grange’ Class engine on the Cornish main line tops the climb to Grampound Road station. Almost a ‘Hall’ look-alike but the step-up over the cylinder casing can be clearly seen.

The ‘Granges’, of which 80 were produced, were almost a ‘look-alike’ of the ‘Halls’ (see picture with last week’s article). They were the same length had the same famous No. 1 boiler and were within a ton of the same weight. Only the smaller driving wheels, which lowered the boiler centre line and with it the foot plating along the sides, which in turn led to a raised length of foot plating over the cylinders, gave the clue. I cannot fine a good picture of a ‘Grange’ but if you have it, look at last week’s ‘Hall’ in conjunction with this week’s ‘Manor’ and you will be near the mark.

There had been some internal improvements to the cylinder design of these engines which made them especially successful in traffic. The men loved them and in the rough country in the west, also west of Swansea and on the difficult Newport-Hereford-Shrewsbury section they would say, “Just hang it all on and we’ll be all right.”

Manor Class 4-6-0 (note the smaller boiler) after assisting a ‘King’ from Newton Abbot to Plymouth. Not treated by Sam Ell as yet.

But the ‘Manors’ were different. The same frame length (and weight) had been kept and so the boiler weight had been reduced quite a bit and they were not so happy when the loads were at the maximum. This position continued until the last 5 had been built in 1984. Then of course Sam Ell started to do his magic. Quite small alterations to the exhaust arrangements precisely doubled the capacity of the boiler to produce steam to all requirements - a triumph even for Sam! Even so, there was some botching of the design back in 1938.

The late Jim Russell, author of a fine book on S.W.R. locomotives, was a driver at Banbury and tells how he saw the brand-new 7,800 ‘Torquay Manor’ take over on its first trip forward to South Wales. It seems he didn’t know what happened on the line to Cheltenham where it was at once found that the cylinders were too wide and cut away the coping stones of the platforms on the whole of this section. I was at school that day and by holiday time there had been a reversion to the previous 4301 type engines. By the time the ‘Manors’ finally came in, another ten had been put into traffic. ‘Torquay Manor’ was elsewhere and we had a couple of later examples of the Class to work, this noted through the Newcastle-Swansea express. G.W.R. engines often were in this kind of trouble on other company lines but seldom on their own.

And finally the post-war ‘counties ...

Look at the picture and judge for yourself: I think this is, for the U.K., quite a tough busty-looking machine. They were being turned into traffic as soon after ‘VE-Day’ as possible but were not an immediate success - once again the steam-production was not right. The first of the Class was fitted with a double chimney of massive size; the rest had ordinary single chimneys. Neither seemed right. The then unknown Sam Ell did almost his first drafting job, with a very short and ugly double chimney. I was surprised to find the first so altered on a Swindon-London train in 1955 and was surprised at its now excellent performance.

Two miles from my Penzance birthplace, a Hawkesworth ‘County’ moves empty carriages; the ugly double chimney fitted by Mr. Ell in his efforts to make these engines produce steam can be plainly seen.

Other than ‘Modified Halls’ (last week) this was Hawkesworth’s first and only design project, fine draughtsman though he was. It had some strange features: a very high boiler pressure of 280 lbs psi, in line with that adopted by Bulleid of the Southern on all his ‘Pacifics’ (see my piece Bulleid of the Southern early last year). In time both engineers substantially brought the pressure down. They realised the high maintenance costs of such boilers and the lack of advantage unless associated with compounding. The boilers themselves were not a standard type. They were based on those fitted to the L.M.S. heavy ‘Class 8’ freight locomotives of which about 75 had been built as a wartime measure to cover the traffic needs of the time. The flanging blocks etc., were still on hand and were used. But why not the good old No. 1?

The other non-standard feature was the very unusual diameter of the driving wheels; at 6ft. 3in never before (or since) used on the G.W.R. Even then it was suspected that the odd inch or two in this measurement made no difference that could be measured, so what had he in mind? It has never been admitted but it is known that like most steam locomotives engineers, Hawkesworth’s ambition was to build a top-class ‘Pacific’ for express passenger works. A painting is known of, as is also a rough sketch of the kind known as a weight diagram, normally not showing any measurements. This one is no exception so we don’t know if this size was in mind for his magnum opus!

The Message in The Moon: Sun in Cancer/ Moon in Leo - The Defeatist

by Anchalee Kaewmanee

This is a gifted combination. The Leo Moon gives the sensitive and imaginative Cancer the courage to create. This combination has the talent, facility, and most of all, the confidence to excel in whatever the goal or dream. Unlike most Cancers, natives of this Sun-Moon sign do not feel the need to guard their emotions. They express their thoughts and feelings with abandon because they know themselves. All that personality and charm leaves them with few inhibitions. This self-confidence contributes to their worldly success. Success is very important to these individuals, for that inner Leo nature creates a strong need for status, recognition and acclaim. Contentment is only found when they are certain they have won the respect and admiration (and in some cases, the adulation) they feel is their due in life.

It is a rare Cancer-Leo who does not have intense creative urges. At one point or another in life, these natives will be drawn to the arts. Endowed with imagination, courage and tenacity, these traits are conducive to all fields that emphasize aesthetics such as film, design, music, writing and architecture, to name a few possibilities.

Pride and vanity are a problem. Although patient and determined, these individuals do not respond well to criticism and have difficulty accepting setbacks. All gifted people are subject to frustrations and will encounter them most in fields of creative endeavor. This is a process which talented creators must accept as they progress toward self-fulfillment. The Cancer-Leo feels he or she is intuitively right almost all of the time and few people can convince these people they are not. Oftentimes, no matter how gifted these natives, their aristocratic rigidity in their attitude towards change or instruction can be their tragic and fatal flaw.

Spectacular beginnings and early advances are common to people in this combination. But the first time they encounter defeat or failure they often become devastated. Once their pride and vanity has been wounded it takes a long time to recover. A martyr complex may take over, and they often find themselves quite content to sit back and lament on the fact that their brilliance has gone unrecognized by a callous and undeserving world. It would be wise for them to realize that even in defeat there is always something to be learned. They must try to profit from experience and constructive advice. Otherwise they will turn away from a promising future.

Since these natives have a strong desire for social acceptance, that blessed benevolence and personal magnetism strongly attract people to them. However, they must watch that tendency to manipulate others to their own advantage. For all of that compassion and sympathy, their number one concern is always for themselves.

In romantic relationships, the Cancer-Leo is a paradox. When involved in an affair that is going smoothly, this individual can be the perfect lover. But as soon as things go the least bit sour, he or she will find the nearest exit. People born into this sign are highly romantic and sensuous, but still basically self-centered. Capable of giving much, they seem to expect much more in return. For one thing, they feel they must be constantly reminded of how wonderful they are. That flattery can often blind their judgment in choosing the right partner. These natives have tremendous sex appeal and can usually leave the party with whomever they choose. Therefore it is imperative they choose wisely.

A Slice of Thai History: The Opium Trade

Part Three 1918-1938

by Duncan Stearn

Following the end of the First World War (1914-1918), the question of opium eradication was placed under the jurisdiction of the newly-created League of Nations.

In response to international opposition to the opium trade the Thai government began to scale down the extent of the royal opium monopoly during the 1920’s. This had little effect on the underground opium trade which had been flourishing since the 1850’s.

The royal opium monopoly only imported high quality, and therefore expensive, opium via India and the Middle East. Smuggled opium came into Thailand through the southern Chinese province of Yunnan. Although it was of poor quality, it was much cheaper than the royal opium monopoly product and therefore more affordable to increasingly desperate and impoverished addicts.

As the government began curbing the distribution of official opium, so the addict population began looking more to the illegally smuggled product.

An article published in an American newspaper in 1917 stated, in part, “... opium is not bad for one. There are plenty of people to testify to that. We Americans have a curious notion to the contrary, but then, we Americans are so hysterical and gullible. An Englishman whom we met in Bangkok told me that opium was not only harmless, but actually beneficial. He said once that he was traveling through the jungle, into the interior somewhere. He had quite a train of coolies with him, carrying himself and his baggage through the dense forests. By nightfall, he found his coolies terribly exhausted with the long march. But ... he gave each of them a ‘shot’ of morphia, whereupon all traces of fatigue vanished. They forgot the pain of their weary arms and legs and were thus enabled to walk all night ...

“The night we left Bangkok, we got aboard the boat at about nine in the evening ... and we looked into the hold upon a crowd of coolies who had been loading sacks of rice ... There they lay upon the rice sacks, two or three dozen of them, all smoking opium. Two coolies to a lamp ... So we leaned over the open hatch, looking down at these little fellows, resting and recuperating themselves after their work, refreshing themselves for the labor of the morrow.

“Opium is wonderful, come to think of it. But why, since it is so beneficial and so profitable, confine it to the downtrodden races of the world? Why limit it to the despised races, who have not sense enough to govern themselves anyway?” Imagine that last sentence appearing in a newspaper today.

In 1921, the number of opium addicts in the country was estimated at 200,000 people. By 1930, the number of legal opium dens had been reduced to just 837. Nonetheless, they had an average of 89,000 customers each day and still provided the government with 14%-20% of its total revenue.

In November 1931, an International Conference on Opium Smoking was held in Bangkok, presided over by the foreign minister, Prince Varodaya.

After the conference, the royal opium monopoly continued to scale down its operations so that by 1938 it only accounted for eight percent of government revenue via a total import of just 32 tons.

However, the illicit market had broadened to establish links with opium growers in the mountainous regions that covered the region between Burma, northern Thailand, southern China and Laos. This area has since become infamous and is known as the Golden Triangle. The region was to eventually account for almost 67% of the world’s opium output.