HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Family Money

Snap Shots

Modern Medicine

Women's World

Heart to Heart with Hillary

A Slice of Thai History

Bits ‘n’ Bobs

Practical Thai Law

Personal Directions

Social Commentary by Khai Khem

Roll over Rover

The Message In The Moon

Family Money: Hedge Funds

By Leslie Wright,
Managing director of Westminster Portfolio Services (Thailand) Ltd.

Although hedge funds have existed since 1949, this specialist niche market has seen rapid growth only in the past few years. For a long time, it was a shadowy world, designed only for rich and sophisticated investors. It is suggested that there are now over 6000 active hedge funds with more than $500 billion of assets under management.

What is a hedge fund?

A hedge fund is basically an investment structure for managing a collection of assets that can be invested in both cash and derivative markets on a leveraged basis. Unlike traditional equity fund or bond fund managers, many hedge fund managers try to create value primarily through positions that are uncorrelated to traditional capital markets. Instead, their focus is on generating performance regardless of the direction of the markets.

Opportunities for growth come from two sources: an ever increasing world of assets and securities within which to trade, and a wider array of trading strategies. These strategies are an advantage as, for the most part, they can be implemented without the constraints of the common regulation controls imposed on normal securities.

For example, hedge fund strategies may access both financial and commodity markets. They may then take long, short, option or other positions in any of these markets.

Therefore, hedge funds provide unique risk and return characteristics that are not accessible to traditional asset management approaches. The hedge fund structure encompasses diversity that attempts to create value by exploiting specific opportunities. Underlying investment objectives vary tremendously among hedge fund managers.

Fund of Hedge Funds

A common and popular type of hedge funds is the so-called ‘fund of hedge funds’. These simply invest not in just one but in several hedge funds, and thus provide a diversified exposure to multiple hedge funds.

A fund of funds may, for example, be overweight in certain strategies based on a particular outlook or using certain specialized trading or analysis techniques. A typical fund of funds could easily provide a spread of 8 to 10 different investment strategies and over 30 managers.

Managers usually charge a management fee as well as a performance-based fee in addition to the normal underlying fund administration fees. This exposes them to the accusation that hedge fund management charges are high. That may be so - but as the charges are generally related to performance, which has to be above average for the managers to earn the higher fees, investors accept the higher charges in return for a higher return on their investment.

However, the question of performance-related fees, particularly in respect to a hedge fund of funds, is still much of an argument. Consider the case whereby one of the fund holdings inside a fund of hedge funds has done well. It thereby creates a fee based on performance. Another holding in the fund of funds does not perform. In fact it counters the growth of the former. The overall fund of funds will generate no return but the performance-related fees due on the first holding will still have to be paid. This creates a questionable scenario and one that is still under scrutiny.

Nonetheless, hedge funds do provide, without question, new opportunities for improving portfolio performance in today’s environment of lower, and maybe unstable, returns from equity markets.

While traditional investments derive the majority of their return from the capital markets, many hedge fund strategies are less affected by the direction of underlying capital markets. Given their generally low correlations to traditional investments and the intent to “hedge” market risk, hedge fund strategies are worth considering alongside traditional investments.

As more is written about how the various types of hedge funds work, and investors become more familiar and therefore more comfortable with the potential risks and rewards associated with then, we can expect hedge fund allocations to increase over time.

Some hedge funds have been around a long time - but have been available only to millionaire investors with at least $100,000 or more to invest in a slice of the fund. (George Soros’ famous - some would say infamous - Quantum Fund required a minimum of US$1 million.) More recently, a plethora of funds have been launched with more modest investment thresholds, to appeal to the more modest punter who is looking to invest a few tens of thousands into a fund that looks different or “interesting” - or who thinks major market equities are not going to perform well for quite some time to come, so is looking for an alternative investment strategy. Certainly hedge funds provide this alternative. But the top performing hedge funds still have minimum investment thresholds that are out of reach of all except high-net-worth investors. The hedge fund club is very exclusive - but becoming less so.

Balancing a portfolio is an art but one should consider having secure, risk-exposed and non-traditional funds all in one portfolio so that the long-term benefits are not focused on one area. This leads to better real gains while reducing volatility and therefore risk.

Snap Shot: Become a stage photographer!

by Harry Flashman

As a photographer, you are a mirror of the world. Everything that goes on around us can be captured on film, though sometimes this is harder than you would imagine. Stage photography is one of these.

Have you ever looked at the credits at the end of a movie? They have one person, a photographer, whose job is just to take the stills of the movie which can later be used as reference points and for publicity. Remember that much of a movie is shot with stage “sets” so it is really just another branch of stage photography.

Now when you go to a stage performance and would like to capture some of the action, you have to keep it in your mind that it is indeed a “performance”. You cannot ask the ballet dancer to hold that pose, or Mick Jagger to stand still for a minute.

This is one branch of photography where you have to be prepared and ready to anticipate what is coming next. If possible, it is good sense to make notes at a prior performance.

Now one of the first things the average photographer will do is to bolt on his megawatt donnerundblitzen flash gun with enough power to light up the far side of the moon. While understandable, Harry Flashman does not necessarily endorse that approach to stage photography. Again it is the old adage of “Walk several metres closer” for this type of photography too. Use a standard lens and get close. If needs be find which row seat you need to be able to do this. All part of the being prepared.

Now, what about the lighting? What about a flash? For my money, you use fast film, possibly 400 or even 800 ASA, and let the stage lighting itself do the illumination. The lighting too is quite different from that you normally experience. Stage lighting is generally tungsten based and sharp (what we call “spectral” lighting). Spots for the performers and floods for the background are the hallmarks of the usual stage lighting. The use of spots in particular is used to highlight the principal performer or action on stage. Successful “stage” photographs are the ones that have managed to retain that “stagey” lighting feel to them, so that instantly you look at the image you know it is of a performer on a stage somewhere.

The secret of retaining that stage feel is just in the lighting. Because it tends to be dark, we all break out the super-pro flash gear, or activate the in-built flash that comes with the camera. Unfortunately, what happens is that the flash can overpower the stage lights and you lose the effect. All you get is someone dressed in strange garb, flash-lit at night. Not Mick Jagger at all!

Going back to getting as close to the action as you can. I know us pro types get to walk right up on stage, shoot the performer clean in the eye and shuffle off stage left. You will probably be thrown out on your ear if you try it, so please don’t. However, do get a seat as close to the action as you can, a seat where by using a standard lens you can fill the frame with the performers. If all you have is a fixed lens point and shooter, get as close to the front of the stage as you can. You can still get the scene stopping shot - you have just to get very close.

Now then, f stops. If you are confident, then monitor for the central subject. If you are unsure, just set the camera on “Auto” - with the 400 ASA film loaded there will be enough light to run the “auto” settings.

So there you are. Get close, use fast film and no flash. Try the Malibu Cabaret or Simon as a good place to start. Have fun.

Modern Medicine: Sniffles and snivels

by Dr Iain Corness, Consultant

I have had a cold for three days. My friend John in the office has had a cold for three weeks. Others out there have had a cold for what seems to them like three months. It really is a condition that makes you miserable. Drippy nose, sneezing, croaky throat sometimes and generally feeling sorry for ones self.

Colds characteristically come at the change of seasons, and right now we have had a change of season at least four times a day. As I write this, the water is streaming down outside, after three hours of brilliant sunshine.

Now if you think you are having a hard time of it with this cold of yours, wiping your nose with a tissue every five minutes, think about how it was for the more primitive civilizations who did not have such luxuries. By the way, did you know that the reason we have buttons on the sleeves of jackets was to stop the wearer wiping his nose on his sleeves! True!

Your cold, or Coryza, as we medico’s call it, is not produced by a bacterium, but by another of those pesky viruses. This is why antibacterial agents (called antibiotics) do not work for the simple cold. In fact, not much works for it, but there are a few options to make life a little better while we wait to get over the condition.

The first thing to do is to dive into your supply of paracetamol which you keep at home or if you don’t, then that is what you get at the pharmacy, not antibiotics. Take two 500 mg tablets four times a day, keep your fluids up, prop yourself up in front of the telly and make the most of your enforced 24 hour holiday. It does help get you better quicker. Paracetamol comes as different trade names such as “Sara” and “Tylenol” and “Panadol” - just read the packets carefully.

Staying away from other people in the office or wherever is an important factor too. I am not going to directly accuse John, but I’m sure he hasn’t helped. The cold virus is very contagious and hangs around in the air every time you sneeze. When you release millions of virus bodies in the moisture droplets in your sneeze, they have the potential to go and infect the next person who inhales them. Or even groups of people. This is why colds run in epidemics - so don’t get too close, please!

Of course, there are times when the cold progresses into something else. The sniffles turn into a really sore throat, you start to cough up green or yellow coloured phlegm and you begin to run a fever. What has happened is that another infecting organism has come along and hit you while you are down. This is particularly likely if you are a smoker, because the oxides of nitrogen in cigarette smoke depress your ability to shift mucous and funnily enough lowers your resistance too. Just another of the three million nine hundred and ninety seven good reasons to give up the fags!

Now it is time for the appropriate medication - and your doctor can advise you on this. Please don’t just go to the pharmacy and grab some “antibiotics”. That is not good medical practice. Let your doctor prescribe!

Women’s World: Third time lucky?

by Lesley Warner

"When two people are under the influence of the most violent, most insane, most delusive and most transient of passions, they are required to swear that they will remain in that excited, abnormal and exhausting condition continuously until death do them part."

-George Bernard Shaw, 1963

For 30 years the most common estimate has been that one out of every two marriages will end in divorce.

130 years ago, divorce became a civil matter in England and the U.S. Few divorces were granted; a spouse had to be proven to be "at fault," i.e. guilty of adultery or extreme cruelty. Gradually, more grounds were added, but someone still had to be in the wrong. In the 1920's, one divorce was granted for every 7 marriages; recently, there has been one divorce granted for every two marriages.

In general, "emotional problems" are the most common cause of divorce; men cite "sexual problems" three times more often than women and women cite an "affair" twice as often as men (Janus & Janus, 1993).

More than a million people a year get a divorce. Worldwide, divorce is most common in the fourth year of marriage and 40% of men and 50% of women are less than 30. Between 10% and 15% of people aged 35 to 55 are divorced already. Approximately 20% of marriages last less than 5 years, 33% less than 10 years and 40% less than 15 years. Recent estimates are that 65% to 70% of all new marriages will fail. 80% of still married couples have considered divorce at some time during their marriage.

These statistics do not prevent us from trying again, 80% of all divorced people get remarried. The risk of divorce is slightly greater in the second marriage; statistics say that approximately 50-60% of remarriages end in divorce. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, for some unknown reason, third marriages seem to do better. Maybe we get older and wiser, or just exhausted with playing musical partners.

One theory is that society causes the problem by doing two things to men and women that make more and more of today's marriages destined to die.

1. It tells men what they are supposed to desire in a woman.

2. It then tells women the way they are supposed to be to become desirable.

These day's statistics tell us that women instigate more than 75% of today's divorces.

Interesting reading by Maggie Gallagher, The Abolition of Marriage: How We Destroy Lasting Love.

Does this sound familiar? "It wasn't that my ex was awful but there was a part of me that couldn't be alive in marriage. I need the freedom to be me."

How could they be unhappy when they now have everything: marriage, a husband, a home, a family, isn't this what they have wanted since childhood? What we were conditioned to aim for? Yet a considerable number of women feel lost and unhappy throughout their marriages, but they can never put their finger on the reason they feel so lost.

Statistics have shown single women as happier than married women for decades. It's become so much easier - a wife who works full time and then divorces can simply continue to do what she is doing. Life may get a little harder, or even a lot harder, but for a wife with a full-time job, a change in her marital status does not seem to entail too much difference to her day-to-day lifestyle.

Survey's reveal that mothers who trusted their own husbands to support them, after a lifetime of observation, are warning their daughters, "You are your only security and your children's only security. You are the only person you can trust to care for you and your children." What does this mean for the institution of marriage? Is it over?

Men and women are totally different animals. We don't look alike or think alike. So really why should one assume that we can inhabit a cage together for a lifetime? Maybe we were never meant to practice monogamy; maybe it was just a suggestion by the church or society when they decided to become civilized! It's not the fault of one sex or the other it just doesn't seem to work.

Heart to Heart with Hillary

Dear Hillary,

What do you do about hopeless time keepers? Or are you one of them too? My Thai girlfriend is wonderful in every way, other than the fact she can never be on time for anything! I bought her a watch, but that does not get her into better time habits either. I know Thai people are supposed to have this free and easy attitude to time, but my friends expect me to be on time for appointments, lunches and the like, and if I bring Dar we will always be late and I get hassled and irritated, which can spoil the day. What suggestions do you have, Hillary?

Timeless Tim

Dear Timeless Tim,

It is “time” (sorry about that) for you to sit down with your girlfriend and explain why you have a need to be “on time” everywhere. “Secondly” (sorry about that) you should also sit down and make sure that you are not needlessly making life more difficult for yourself than it need be. Is it always imperative that you be exactly on time? There is always a middle way.

Dear Hillary,

You have probably heard this hundreds of times and may be able to help me in this problem I have. On my last trip to Pattaya I fell in love with a most beautiful girl from a bar and against all the advice given by “old hands” I gave her money to set her up in a house, which had to be in her name as it could not be done in mine. I felt we had the makings of a perfect match and she was so attentive to me I could not believe my luck. I had to do everything quickly as I was only here for three weeks. At the first opportunity to return for a quick trip I went to surprise her and found out that she was living there with some German guy and had been for some time! Should I ask her to return the money? I feel totally cheated and I think it will be some time before I fall in love again, especially with a Thai girl.

Cheated Charlie

Dear Cheated Charlie,

You must really stop and take this opportunity to decide just who cheated who, here. You were here for three weeks and bought some girl you did not really know, a house? Is this reasonable behaviour? Is this rational behaviour? You threw your money away, my Petal. She did not rob you - you robbed yourself. Next time, think twice, or in your case, think two hundred times. Perhaps you might even listen to the old hands too. Sorry, Charlie, but you had it coming.

Dear Hillary,

I have been married to a Thai lady for three and a half years, have had a house built for ourselves and her children, everything has been fine up until last week. While shopping with her friends at one of the superstores in Pattaya, she got separated from them, was then approached by three Thai women, they just touched her arm, which seemed to send her into some kind of trance, escorted her outside, then took all her jewellery, cash, and mobile phone. To say that I am angry is the least I can describe, as this is not an isolated case, it has been reported many times before from the same stores. I would like to know what the police are doing to track down these people. It is very easy for them to chase vendors from the beach, but what about catching the real criminals?

Angry Andy

Dear Angry Andy,

Hillary can understand just how you feel about this, but there are a couple of issues here. Let us deal with the beach vendors first. Personally I have never had any problems with beach vendors in Pattaya (I cannot say the same for Vietnam, however) and consider them to be honest people performing a service for the beach goers. Why they are hounded is beyond me, other than the fact that they may not have paid a “fee” to get permission to hawk on the beach. The reasons for this are many fold, but poor police wages are a factor.

The second issue is whether these people really can put their intended victims into a trance? Westerners have a problem with this concept, but not the Thais, and I do know that this type of Eastern “black magic” does happen.

The third issue is whether it is the police department’s responsibility to work in the vicinity of a private enterprise. Superstores are not “public” property and perhaps the management should be looking at protecting their customers with increased security guard personnel on duty. It is much better to stop the crime happening, rather than having police chasing felons after the event, don’t you think?

Fourthly, don’t get angry, that is counterproductive. Do something constructive by seeing the management and explaining that this has happened more than once, and repeated attacks will damage the reputation of their superstore. That way you are helping everybody.

A Slice of Thai History: The Royal Thai Air Force

by Duncan Stearn

Part One: The Early Years 1911 - 1930

When Orville and Wilbur Wright first demonstrated powered, manned air flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903, it wasn’t long before military commanders around the world began to recognise the potential of air power.

In Thailand, Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanart, the Army Chief of Staff, identified the need to acquire aircraft as part of the national defence program. Of course, before any purchased aircraft could be used, Thai pilots would need to be trained to handle the new machinery, so, in January 1911 the Ministry of War sent three Army officers, Major Luang Saksalyavudh, Captain Luang Arvudhsikikom, and Lieutenant Thip Ketudat to France to train with the Nieuport Company at Mourmelon-le-Grand.

The course, teaching the men to not only fly but also maintain their aircraft, lasted for two years and the three officers returned to Thailand in November 1913.

The War Ministry formed the Army Aviation Unit, purchasing eight French-built aircraft, four monoplanes and four biplanes. The unit, supervised by the Army Engineering Inspector, had its first base in a rice field south of Bangkok (now the site of the Royal Bangkok Club), but on March 17, 1914, the unit was relocated to a newly constructed base at Don Muang, at that time well outside the Bangkok city limits.

On March 27, the Aviation Unit was upgraded to become the Army Air Corps. This date was recognised as the official birthday of the Royal Thai Air Force until 1997. However, in that year, senior air force officials proclaimed April 9 as Royal Thai Air Force Day, relegating March 27 to Commemoration Day.

For the fledgling air wing, the most pressing difficulties in the early years were the maintenance of the aircraft. Naturally, spare parts were not available locally and had to be imported, a costly exercise in terms of both time and money.

To reduce this reliance on foreign material, the air wing developed locally made products and even began building aeroplanes designed by Thais. Thus, in May 1915, a Breguet biplane made from local products but with an imported engine became the first aircraft ever built in Thailand to take to the sky.

In July 1917, at the height of the First World War, Thailand declared war on Germany and her allies, despite her previously friendly relations with that nation.

Included in the Thai expeditionary force that travelled to fight alongside the allies in France was a contingent of the Army Air Corps. This contingent arrived in 1918 and began training at the French Army Flying Schools at Avord and Istres. Over 95 personnel qualified as pilots, but the war ended before the Thais were able to fully utilise their newfound knowledge.

It was in 1918 that the air corps was again upgraded, becoming known as the Army Aviation Division. The unit remained under the control of the Army until December 1921 when it came under the direct control of the War Ministry and was renamed the Air Division.

In 1927, the Paribatra, the first aeroplane completely designed and constructed by the Air Division took to the skies. Two of the Paribatra biplanes flew on a round trip to the Indian city of New Delhi, later flying to Hanoi in Vietnam.

That same year, the Air Division purchased two British-made fighters.

Nonetheless, local aircraft construction continued apace with a fighter, named the Prajadhipok, rolling off the lines in 1929 followed by a training plane in 1930.

Bits ‘n’ Bobs

Practical Thai Law: Social Security Fund

by Premprecha Dibbayawan - MCL Miami University, Chairman - International Swiss Siam Co., Ltd.

The benefits of the insured persons are as follows:

Sickness or injuries
Maternity
Disability
Death
Support allowance
Old-age pension
Unemployment (with conditions)

In case of sickness or injuries the insured will benefit from the fund if he has contributed in the last 15 months but not less than 3 months. He will then receive benefits as an out-patient for medical treatment of 300 baht each time, laboratory examination costs not exceeding 200 baht/time and diagnosis costs not exceeding 200 baht each time. Medical visit benefits shall not exceed 2 times per year. With the same limit of twice a year, if he is an in-patient he will be allowed benefits for medical treatment of 1,500 baht each time. Operations for not over 2 hours not exceeding 8,000 baht each time. Operation for over 2 hours of not exceeding 14,000 baht each time. Room charge and food of not exceeding 700 baht a day, ICU treatment of not over 2,000 baht a day and medical treatment with high technology (CT scan or MRI) not over 4,000 baht each time according to the fixed criteria.

If ambulance or transportation is required the reimbursement of an ambulance shall not exceed 500 baht or 300 baht for a taxi. If the transportation crosses provincial boundaries, an additional allowance of 90 satang per kilometer will be provided.

Further, the insured will receive compensation for an absence from work under the instruction of a doctor at the rate of 50% of his wage for a period of not exceeding 90 days for each event and not more than 180 days in a calendar year. In case of sickness from chronic disease, he shall be entitled to cash benefits not exceeding 365 days.

In case of maternity allowance, a female insured person who has paid contributions for not less than 7 months within the last 15 months before delivery shall be entitled to receive maternity benefits of 4,000 baht and continue with cash benefits at the rate of 50% of her wages for not exceeding 90 days. The male insured person is also entitled to the amount of 4,000 baht. Each spouse is entitled to claim twice for maternity allowance.

In the case of disability, an insured person who has paid contribution for not less than 3 months within a period of 15 months prior to the time a medical team confirms his disability, shall be entitled to actual cost of medical treatment limited to not more than 2,000 baht each month. He is also entitled to 50% of his wages throughout his life.

Further entitlements are prosthesis and other necessary medical equipment as prescribed in the publication of SSO and as determined by the medical team. Upon his death, the funeral allowance will be 30,000 baht. The heirs of the deceased will benefit similarly as in the case of death of an able worker.

In case of death, an insured person who has paid contributions for not less than 1 month during the period of 6 months before death shall be benefit as follows: (1) Funeral allowance in the amount of 30,000 baht. (2) Allowance to the survivors, if the deceased had paid contribution for more than 36 months - three times of half the salary; if the deceased had paid contribution for more than 10 years - ten times of half of the salary.

Support allowance will be paid when the insured has contributed for not less than 12 months during the period of 36 months prior to the entitlement date. The allowance is 150 baht per month for each child of not more than 6 years of age, a total of not more than two children.

Old-age benefits are divided into two categories: pension and remuneration. Pensions shall be paid when the insured person had contributed for not less than 180 months whether the payment was made consecutively or not and shall be payable when he reaches the age of 55 and ceases to be an insured person. The monthly pension will be 15% of the average of his last 60-months salary. If he had paid contribution for more than 180 months, then for every additional 12 months over 180 months, the rate will be increased by 1% more than the original 15%.

As for remuneration, this shall be paid when the insured person had paid contributions for less than 180 days. If he had contributed for less than 12 months he will be reimbursed his own contribution. If he had contributed for more than 12 months he would be compensated the equal amount he and his employer contributed to the fund plus interest as prescribed by SSO.

If a person has benefited from the provisions of one of the above acts, he shall still be entitled to benefit from the other. However, if he has benefited from the provision of the labour law, such as payment for maternity leave, he shall not be entitled to benefit for the same reason from the above acts.

The above is a brief idea of how the two acts and the Social Security Office, which is the official authority, work. There are some other details such as which forms are to be used and how to make contributions, etc. Enquiries can also be made to the local Social Security Office directly.

Personal Directions: Enthusiasm Doesn’t Cost A Penny (continued)

by Christina Dodd, founder and managing director 
of Incorp Training Associates

We truly are strange creatures. As I explained last week, we all know and recognize the results that being enthusiastic can bring. We all want to be on the receiving end of enthusiastic behaviour because we can achieve so much by it and because it makes us feel good! Yet it is something that a lot of us find extremely difficult to convey ourselves. We are more than willing to take it, but less than willing to initiate or even give it back. We snarl at each other in the morning; we greet family, friends, colleagues and staff with a grunt and a half-hearted attempt to be nice in the hope that they will be happy, satisfied - and - perform miracles for us!

By the way, may I ask - how did you start your day?

I am a firm believer in the principle of cause and effect. It is a fundamental so important to the way we lead our lives and put quite simply it is this ... what you give, you get back. If you convey positive thoughts, words, deeds and behaviour to others, then more than likely you’ll receive them back. On the other hand, if it’s the reverse and coloured by negativity, then that is more than likely your result. So it all has to start with someone. And who do you think that someone is? Yes it’s you, me, us - everyone! There’s no passing the buck here - it’s completely up to each individual.

Enthusiasm is a vital force in life. It is not merely a figure of speech. It is a state of mind that inspires and arouses us to put action into the task at hand. It is contagious and its vitality not only affects the enthusiast, but all with whom they come into contact. If it is mixed with every aspect of our daily lives be they personal or professional, then we are better equipped to overcome obstacles through the sheer energy that it can give to us to act. It is extraordinary how much can be achieved when you put enthusiasm into a routine task, a special project or a simple hello or conversation.

Some of us are naturally enthusiastic, some of us are not and you are possibly wondering why this is so. What I think it comes down to is basically this - if you enjoy what you do, if you know yourself and like who you are, if you know what you want and what you want to achieve in your life then you have reason to be enthusiastic. Some of us may therefore need to take a long hard look at how we can develop ourselves and change the way we are living our lives so that we too can benefit from this remarkable energy.

It could be that a lot of us don’t have any real clue about what we want - we don’t have a clear and definite aim and therefore are lacking the ambition of living life to the full. We lack enthusiasm. Perhaps we have never even given the subject a moment’s thought because we are so caught up in just getting on with daily life! Most of us don’t have time to think about ourselves and the direction our life is taking but this is absolutely one of the most crucial areas of our lives that we should examine and develop - if we really want to have any kind of life at all.

Next week join me for more thoughts on the way we live our lives and why goals play such an important role.

Until then I hope you have a great week!

Christina can be contacted at christina.dodd@incorp training.com

Social Commentary by Khai Khem

Can’t live with them, and can’t live without them

I suppose it’s not in fashion to call our household help servants any longer. But for conversational purposes I will stick to the old-fashioned term. I love to have my newspaper ironed before I read it, and my shoes polished. Sitting in the backseat, while being driven through Thailand’s mad traffic, is heaven. I like beds to be made, dishes to be washed, grass to be cut, drinks to be served, telephones to be answered and menial tasks invisibly taken care of invisibly so that I can devote my time to major decisions like the choice of wine for dinner. That is life as it should be lived, and all it takes is money and servants!

The attractions of having a personal staff to pet and pamper you are obvious. Having servants allows one to avoid disagreeable jobs. They see to the small but important details of your daily life from garbage disposal to laying your clothes out every morning. They can be sent to do your shopping, keep the bar stocked, open your weekend home before you arrive, and even lie prone in the street so you always have a parking space available.

Aside from practical matters, servants are social assets. They confer status on their master, particularly if they are slightly exotic and don’t speak English very well. If I could choose my staff on the basis of their national skills, I’d have a French cook (marvelous souffl้s), an English valet (wonderful with clothes) and a German chauffeur (mechanically sound). I suppose it all depends on the number of languages you speak and the size of your establishment.

Naturally there are some pitfalls while maintaining staff on the premises. Even the smallest servants take up a lot of house room. They really should have separate quarters. In the good old days, servants could be tucked away in the attic, a cramped space over the garage, or in an ‘afterthought’ in the back of the property. These days a separate bedroom and en-suite bathroom, cable TV and cooking facilities are demanded. Even then they seem to quickly become part of the family and take over the rest of the house as well. If you are tolerant enough to put up with this for the sake of a quiet idle life, then glory in your precious free time. But remember, a houseful of servants will lead to an almost total lack of personal privacy.

You come home from a brutal day at the office, wanting nothing more than a hot shower, a cold bottle of champagne and an hour or so of peaceful reflection while you knit yourself back together. Not a chance. As you undress your valet will be catching your clothes before they hit the floor. You escape to the steamy bathroom only to find one of the maids in their testing the water with her elbow. The butler arrives with the champagne. The valet pops his head in the door wanting to know your plans for the evening so he can prepare the appropriate outfit. Then the chauffeur calls on the bathroom phone to see if you will need the car.

With servants you are never truly alone. But what are the alternatives? Shine your own shoes, make your own bed, drive your own car, and clean your own pool? Living with servants might be exasperating, but to do without them would be intolerable.

Of course in Thailand most of us do not have English nannies and British butlers. A Thai housemaid, however, can pretty much do anything you teach her. Well, SOME Thai housemaids can.

I once taught a driver to mix cocktails and tend bar during parties. I also found out he was a first class electrician and he re-wired all of my antique lamps. Imagine my surprise when I found out my gardener worked for many years as a house painter. Now any fool can trim a garden, so I took over his job for a couple of weeks and he painted my house. Yes, I too, hear complaints and horror stories about the difficulties of getting good domestic help these days and I could certainly add my share to the collection. But of course that’s a subject for another time.

Roll over Rover: At what age should I begin leading?

by C. Schloemer

Young puppies enjoy short bouts of leading, from five to ten minutes, if they have been properly acclimated to the leash. You cannot, however, do any leading until they are leash trained. Puppies under sixteen weeks have short attention spans and are easily distracted.

Pups under this age will pretty much cycle around their four need categories: eating, sleeping, eliminating and exercising. When puppies are hungry or tired you cannot drag them along on a leash. When they need to eliminate, they get rambunctious and nippy. And when they have energy, they need to release it.

Wild and crazy energy spurts are normal and they can have as many as four or more a day. The best thing for an owner to do at this time is let the puppy have as much freedom as possible in an enclosed garden, kitchen or service area. Playtime can get rough and those needle-like puppy teeth can leave the owner’s hands and legs slashed with scratches. The puppy is only playing, but it’s best to let his engine cool down before attempting a training session.

How long can I lead my dog around?

That depends on a lot of things. The age of the dog is an important factor. Young puppies cannot concentrate or sit still as long as an older pup or an adult dog. It also depends on the dog’s behavioral habits and the owner’s lifestyle. If the owner is home most of the day, it will be easier to lead more often than if he or she is at work all day.

A dog’s schedule should be planned and consistent. You need to devote some time for play and exercise, but when the fun is over, it’s time to lead. Owners should avoid isolating their dog when they are home regardless of personal lifestyle.

Your dog’s personality will play a part in lead time as well. Sweet Peas pick up leading faster than the Comedians. Trust me. I’ve had both. If you have a strong and active personality under your roof, don’t let that frustrate you. These breeds learn, too. They just need a little more persuading. Remember; the greater the challenge, the sweeter the victory.

Some owners will discover that every time they put their dog on a leash he thinks it’s a race. So, if you fall into that category, how can you persuade him to walk without threatening your safety or his? First, it’s a good idea to practice in a quiet room. After placing the training collar on the dog and attaching him to your waist, let go of the leash with both hands. Walk forward. The second your dog takes a step ahead of you, call out his name, pivot, and dart rapidly in the other direction. Here’s a tip: the bigger the dog, the more rapid the dart. If you’re practicing with a Chihuahua a baby step will do.

Whether or not you have your dog’s attention, praise him after you make the complete turn. In all likelihood he will race ahead of you again. So turn again. And again, and again. Keep turning until the dog either alerts to his name or you collapse from dizziness. Soon he will be walking at your side.

One you get him trained in the quiet room go into an area with more distractions. Call his name and dart. Keep practicing here until he stays by your side. Once that is perfected you can venture out into the driveway. Again, the owner will probably get dizzy doing all these pivots and turns, but it’s important to keep at it.

When you have mastered balance and coordination, use it when you take your dog for walks. When your dog’s radar picks up two cats playing in your neighbor’s garden or a squirrel racing for a tree, call out his name and move in the opposite direction. Does your dog listen? If not, try again. Keep turning until he puts your beckoning call ahead of any distraction the environment might provide.

The Message In The Moon: Sun in Leo-Moon in Aquarius

by Anchalee Kaewmanee

The Benefactor

Calm and somewhat aloof natives born into this sign have a very gentle, almost innocent manner and disposition. They seem unperturbed by confusion, tension or the mundane trails of life because their scope of vision is broad, far reaching and abstract. Few would suspect the ambition, intensity and the far-sighted and imaginative dreams these individuals keep hidden under that casual exterior.

In this combination, the Sun and Moon are at odds. This indicates that early life was probably difficult. The struggle to overcome those hardships in turn fostered a strong sense of independence and self-reliance. It also made these natives look deep within themselves and find inner confidence.

Unlike most Leos, the Moon in Aquarius makes this combination introspective and the understanding gained from looking within prompts these individuals to reach out and assist others. Since they are able to recognize their limitations and at the same time value their own talents, their judgment is rarely blinded by egoism or superficial impressions. Endowed with strong idealistic humanitarian sentiments, this Sun-Moon combo will have a mission in life. Whatever that mission may be, once it is glimpsed, it will be pursued with quiet and unwavering determination.

Never ostentatious or arrogant, our Leo-Aquarians always treat others as equals, and most of them will probably live in a modest and unpretentious way. But there is something which sets these people apart from the crowd. Often it is their original approach to life that gives them a casual air of indifference, and others are drawn to them, thinking they have the answers to life’s questions.

Most natives born into this sign are natural leaders. Imagination and inner strength help them put those dreams and visions into action. Originality and innovation brings intelligent and ingenious solutions to problems. They view things from a very broad and detached perceptive. This may be one reason they often seem a little absent minded and forgetful. The original “absent-minded professor” was an Aquarian.

Details bog down a Leo Aquarian and since they are much better at dealing with the big picture, it’s best for them to delegate the finicky aspects of a project to someone else. Though they respect reason, they have remarkable intuition, and instinct often governs their actions. The likes and dislikes, and major decisions of these natives are usually based on what they feel about the person or situation rather than what they think.

There are times when this absolute faith in their sixth sense can be dangerous, for them and for others. In a managerial position, a Leo-Aquarius can be guided by their intuition to a point, but he or she must also pay attention to the facts. It is vital that they learn to be more adaptable to the pressures and persuasions of others. It’s not possible for anyone to be right all the time. We all need to listen to what our colleagues have to say from time to time. In order to be truly creative or constructive, it is important that our will works in harmony with the will of around us.

Patience is not a long suit of this Sun-Moon sign, but it can be cultivated and should be. If the Leo-Aquarius encounters too much frustration, or begins to feel that those lofty dreams will never see the light of day, moodiness, irritability and erratic behavior will often manifest into eventual tyranny. Petty rages and unprovoked outbursts are common drawbacks in this personality.

Popular and charming, these natives have no trouble making friends. A peek behind the scenes may find a long list of former friends who became thoroughly tired of making irrational concessions to the relationship. Fortunately the Leo-Aquarius eventually learns to be more practical in future forecasts. That also lessens the burden on them to meet some imaginary or unrealistic deadline.

In romance, though they may seem extremely sympathetic and emotional to their partner, these natives are detached enough to break off the best relationship if it should start to sour. No waiting around for them! Variety is their spice of life and they will have many lively affairs. Not that they cannot settle down and have terrific marriages and family lives. It’s just that domestic bliss is not necessarily their first priority in life and many can wait for most of a lifetime without feeling any loss.