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World War II navy landing ship laid to rest off shores of Bamboo Island
‘HMS Krarm’ sunk for environmental salvation
A World War II medium size landing ship, the HMS Krarm
was sunk just 300 meters off the coast of Bamboo Island (Koh Pai) last week
forming Thailand’s first underwater conservation park.
After
serving her crews well since the second “War to end all wars”, the HMS
Krarm, a medium size landing ship, was sunk just 300 meters off the coast of
Bamboo Island (Koh Pai) last week. The aging vessel, acquired by the Thai
Navy in 1962, saw the last light of day amidst naval ceremonies as it slowly
sank beneath the water. It will now begin its new life an artificial reef.
The aging vessel, acquired by the Thai Navy in 1962, saw
the last light of day amidst naval ceremonies as it slowly sank beneath the
water. It will now begin its new life an artificial reef, where marine life
will blossom and attract avid divers from around the world.
Pattaya City and Navy officials have worked closely on
the project since General Chavalit Yongchaiyuth; Minister of Defense signed
the documents approving the sinking of the ship nearly a year ago, on
February 26, 2002.
On January 30 of this year the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and
Pattaya City management began organizing the sinking ceremony for the HMS
Krarm. Its designated resting place, near Bamboo Island, is under the
control of the RTN.
Make a
couple of holes, add a liberal dose of water, and down she goes...
Vice Admiral Somjai Watanyothin, deputy commander in
chief of the Royal Thai Fleet said, “The sinking of the HMS Krarm for the
purpose of creating an underwater preservation park is a first in Thailand.
We hope the ship will encourage growth and occupation of marine animals. To
sink the ship we created large holes so the water would slowly flow into the
stern of the ship and it would gradually sink to the bottom in a vertical
manner. The way the ship is built and the method in which it was sunk means
there should not be any problems with it shifting.”
The Navy has placed warning signs around the area to warn
fisherman and commercial ships of the wreck as to avoid any accidents.
A public relations campaign for divers will inform them
of this new diving site not far from Larn Island.
“The Royal Thai Navy will also safeguard the area via
regular patrols to ensure it stays a safe haven for marine life in
Thailand,” said the vice admiral.
The HMS Krarm was received from Seattle, Washington in
the USA under a naval assistance project and arrived in Thailand September
11, 1962. The vessel is classed as a medium sized landing vessel; 61.5
meters long, 10.35 meters wide.
The ship was active in World War II before arriving in
Thailand. The ageing vessel became increasingly un-seaworthy and the rising
cost of constant repair prompted the decision by the Ministry of Defense to
lay the vessel to rest for the benefit of the environment.
It now lies on the seabed, 300 meters off Bamboo Island at latitude 12
degrees 55 minutes north (of the equator) and longitude 100 degrees 41
minutes 26 seconds east (of Greenwich).
Living in a
Tropical Paradise
Advertorial
There was a time when housing developments meant living
in cloned houses, where your neighbour’s business became yours as you
struggled to find your own identity in the impersonal rows of adjacent
houses.
That has changed, with The Boltons development now
offering an exclusive settlement of only 8 houses, situated in a quiet and
serene area and only around 5 minutes from Sukhumvit Road.
Enter The Boltons and you will be immediately taken by
the large pool and Jacuzzi, all set in tropical landscaped gardens, with an
open area for family picnics and a safe, natural environment for children to
play.
If your lifestyle means entertaining, this house is
perfect for you. An open living room area, with its own bathroom and a
quality kitchen, takes up the huge first floor of the house. The upper floor
has three spacious bedrooms; all with built-in wardrobe facilities and both
the two main bedrooms are fitted with luxury ensuites. All the bedrooms have
access to the massive terrace on the second floor.
The Boltons development group is experienced and knows
what you require, following on from the success of their very popular
Coconut Grove housing estate, situated 15 minutes from the Boltons site. We
offer a safe, secure environment, with no drab concrete walls but a very
environmentally conscious garden atmosphere. The kind of surroundings you
would want to live in yourself or in which to raise a family. This is the
kind of development, and the type of developers, that Pattaya has been
crying out for.
These houses are priced at 4,850,000 Baht, and a house in
The Boltons represents an investment in lifestyle itself. You owe it to
yourself to call and look at the opportunity this development offers you.
The Boltons is now also offering the option of organizing
bank finance for you at extremely competitive rates, so that you can choose
the payment options that satisfy your requirements.
The Boltons group will listen to you and discuss your
requirements with you, so that your dream house can be built to suit your
needs. There is a show house now open for viewing, but we ask that you make
an appointment by calling 01 344 4473 or 01 829 8101. (see page 33)
Chaine members treated to an extraodinary dining experience
Menus that Pascal had created for some of the world’s “rich and famous” over the years.
Miss Terry Diner
The local chapter of the world-wide gourmet group, the
Chaine des Rotisseurs, was treated to the “Favourite Dishes of the Rich
and Famous” at a wonderful gustatory evening at the Casa Pascal
Restaurant. In front of the premier ‘foodies’ of Pattaya, including such
notables as Walter Thenisch, the executive chef of the Royal Cliff, and
Ranjith Chandrasiri, the acknowledged wine expert, Chef Pascal Schnyder
produced for the Chaine dinner guests dishes that he had personally created
for some of the world’s “rich and famous” over the years.
The
lovely Kim Schnyder flanked by the tall and handsome Wolfgang Hieronimi (L)
and the lanky and jovial Jan Olav Aamlid.
Guests
enjoyed the pre dinner cocktails, (L-R) Johannes Suhm, Elfi Seitz, Dieter
Precourt, Peter Thorand, Erwin Rohner and his lovely wife Susie.
Louis
Noll congratulates Pascal Schnyder (Top) and Kim Schnyder (above) on a job
well done.
Amongst Pascal’s rich and famous was one very well
known Thai dinner guest, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, with the
moderator for the evening, Hugh Millar advising the guests that Pascal has
always been impressed with the Princess’ adventurous tastes in dinner
menus. “Her” dish was the main course of oven-roasted tenderloin of baby
lamb and asparagus on mushroom and potato gratin cinnamon perfumed port wine
glaze and shallot confit, similar to the one which Pascal had cooked for her
three years ago at the Dusit Resort in Pattaya.
Suave
and dashing Ingo Rauber (left) escorts Parichat Nanchoo, MD of Siam
Exclusive Collection.
Louis
Noll (left), Bailli de Pattaya was pleased to welcome Dinie and Willem de
Vries, and Nico Derhaag.
Other dishes that evening included one for the energetic
Tina Turner, whose soup Pascal had prepared for her on her many visits to
the Hotel Palace in Lucerne in 1985. This was a combination of ginger
scented red tomato and yellow capsicum cream soup sprinkled with toasted
juniper crumbs and basil chiffonades. It had a real ‘zing’ to it that
mirrored the performances of Tina Turner herself, and was the dish that most
of the Chaine members were still talking about the next day.
The wines that had been chosen to go with the meal began
with a Nicolas Clement Gaillac Blanc de Blanc Brut, followed by a Talus
Californian Chardonnay for the first courses and then a very solid Hamilton
Hut Block McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from South
Australia, vintage 1998. Pascal was also very appreciative of the BJ Wine
Company that had discounted the wines for the Chaine des Rotisseurs.
The
wine connoisseurs (L-R) Dr. Iain Corness, Ranjith Chandrasiri, Johannes Suhm,
Steve Mascari and Conradin von Planta.
Charge
de Mission Hugh Millar (on his knees) ensuring that Dicki Frei is well taken
care of.
The
Casa Pascal team stand proudly with the certificates of appreciation.
Bruno
Forrer in a real happy mood, surrounded by his fans.
Having
just completed a brilliant job at the 20th World Scout Jamboree last month,
Yuwarat Kamolvej (standing 2nd left), camp chief and Sutham Phantusak
(seated left), organizing committee member, take time off to relax with
Saisunee (2nd right), Meow Aamlid (right), Jan Olav Aamlid (seated right)
and Chef Walter Thenisch (standing left).
Pascal and his team were given the plaudits of the diners
and the local Bailli, the ebullient Louis Noll (Mata Hari Restaurant),
personally handed out certificates of appreciation for a masterful
presentation. Nothing had been left to chance, and I know from first hand
experience that Pascal and his team were still going over every detail that
afternoon, even to the extent of closing the restaurant to avoid
interruptions.
The next Chaine des Rotisseurs dinner will be on the 7th of April and it
will be Mata Hari’s turn to seduce the dining heads of Pattaya! Parties
interested in joining the Chaine des Rotisseurs are invited to contact Louis
at Mata Hari, or Pascal at Casa Pascal Restaurant.
UNICEF examines the State of the World’s Children For 2003
Story and photos by Peter
Cummins
At ceremonies being held simultaneously around the world,
the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched its annual “State
of the World’s Children” report. Even as Dr Gamini Abeysekera, Thailand
UNICEF representative was launching the report in Bangkok, the 2003 edition
of this much sought-after expose of the plight of the world’s children, Dr
Carol Bellamy, executive director of UNICEF, was in Mexico City, presenting
it to Mexican President Fox Quesada and members of his legislature, as well
as legions of young people from Bolivia, the Dominican Republic and, of
course, Mexico.
Two of
the “World’s Children” enjoy the event.
Children
crowd the exhibition area.
It was a scene being repeated world-wide at the numerous
UNICEF offices around the globe, bringing a message of hope and triumph of
mile-stones along the way in the goal of creating ‘A world fit for
children’ while, at the same time in some instances, the report recorded
dismay that the voices of children were not receiving the attention they had
hoped would emanate from their elders.
Dr Gamini set the tone of the launch, held at Bangkok’s
Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, presenting a series of tableaux reflecting the
philosophy behind the 2003 report, noting that for the past five years, the
annual report has focused on Education (1999), Leadership (2000), Early
Childhood (2001), Leadership again in 2002 and, now, Child Participation for
2003.
The
panellists with H.E. Anand Panyarachun, UNICEF Ambassador and Dr Gamini
Abeysekera, UNICEF Representative at centre.
H.E.
Anurak Chureemas, Minister of Social Development and Human Security (L) and
UNICEF Representative Dr Gamini Abeysekera talk to the children.
H.E.
Anand and Dr Gamini examine one of the children’s exhibits.
H.E.
Anurak opens the Children’s exhibition. Dr Gamini at right.
As H.E. Anand Panyarachun, UNICEF Ambassador to Thailand,
noted, “Yesterday’s children are today’s youth and tomorrow’s
leaders. They are our future and we need to invest in their future.”
H.E. Anurak Chureem, Thailand Minister of Social
Development and Human Security, presided over the opening of the launch and
also opened the Children’s Interactive Exhibition, spending much time
talking - and listening to - the large group of children attending,
representing a broad cross-section of Thailand’s young people.
A lively inter-generational dialogue followed the
opening, with representatives of the Royal Thai Government, selected
children representing Thailand’s young people, UNICEF and others.
Dr
Gamini presents a copy of the “State of the World’s Children”, to H.E.
Minister Anurak.
The
media interviews the minister.
An
animated group of children at the ceremonial launch.
The United Nations endorses the Report’s Findings
H.E. Kofi Annan, secretary-general of the United Nations
readily reflected these views. In his forward to the 2003 report, H.E. Annan
observed that the focus of this year’s report - child participation -
“is intended to remind adults of their obligation to elicit and consider
the views of children and young people, when decisions that affect their
lives are being made.”
The secretary-general also pointed out that the
report’s theme “is true to the spirit of the historic General Assembly
Special Session on Children, held in May last year”. It represented the
first time that the General Assembly had met exclusively to discuss
children’s issues and that the children themselves were the delegates,
representing governments and other sectors of their societies.
The children’s presence transformed the normally
measured and diplomatic ambience of the great assembly theatre on the banks
of New York’s East River. They brought us their “ideas, hopes and
dreams. They introduced their passions, questions, fears... in short, the
experience of being young at the opening of the Twenty-First Century,” the
secretary-general added.
He continued that, at the Special Assembly,
“Governments had declared their intentions to change the world for and
WITH children - to build a ‘world fit for children’ in the 21st Century
... This can only be achieved,” the secretary-general cautioned, “IF the
governments fulfil their promises that the voices of children and young
people will be heard LOUD AND CLEAR.”
Thailand, in fact, is much ‘tuned in’ to the
“Voices of Children”, having sent four representatives to the Special
Session in New York last year. On Children’s Day 2002, more than 250 youth
from all 76 provinces of the Kingdom came to Bangkok to participate in the
first-ever Thai National Youth Parliament. There, the children interviewed
Prime Minister Taksin Shinawatra, Ministers of Health and Education, other
key government officials as well as UNICEF staff and representatives from
Non-Governmental Organizations and the private sector. The Prime Minister
took the proposals of the children, to pass through the legislature.
The
impromptu press conference.
The
panellists pose at the ceremonial launch.
It was, indeed, ‘a wake-up call’ for the Thai
government and, through its co-operation with the children - many of whom
were disabled and disadvantaged - it formed a model for the world’s
governments-at-large.
Furthermore, the Voices of Children (in Thailand,
certainly) are now coming through the airwaves from many provinces.
Supported by UNICEF, there are more than 500 Thai young people addressing
the nation on “Child Wave Radio” on issues such as child’s rights and
related issues which affect not only children but, by extension, the
Kingdom’s social fabric generally.
Another call from the children is through the Thai Youth
News (TYN), a weekly television programme written, produced, edited and
presented exclusively by a broad spectrum of Thai youngsters being trained
in media production, camera work and all other forms of media and radio/TV
journalism. The programme is so popular that Thailand’s National TV
Channel 11 airs it for an hour a week.
The TYN was very high-profile at the recently-held 20th
International Scouts Jamboree held in Sattahip. The TYN teams did so much to
bring the more than 20,000 Scouts and Guides from 45 countries together
through the TV media.
At her Mexican presentation, Dr Bellamy aptly summed up
the findings of the beautifully-illustrated 123-page report, noting that
“if we are to heal our divided, wounded, conflict-ridden societies ... in
effect, to build a ‘world fit for children’, we will succeed only if the
voices of children and young people are heard - and heeded.” The 2003
report, emphasized the UNICEF executive director, “Offers three basic
concepts. Firstly, children are the key to sustainable human development;
Secondly, global surveys conducted by UNICEF over the past three years,
reflecting the views of more than 400 million children, revealed that many
children lack confidence in their respective governments; Finally, children
have something special to offer. They are blessed with inherent good will,
with incredible creativity and with an unspoiled sense of the possibilities
of life,” Dr Bellamy concluded.
There is no question that UNICEF’s conclusions were
aptly revealed at the New York Special Session on Children, especially their
lack of confidence that their respective governments would even listen to
them, after the final curtain was wrung down in New York - let alone take
any action that reflects their desire for a ‘world fit for children’.
The 2003 Report:
A Reservoir of Information - and a Blueprint for ‘A World Fit For
Children’
“The State of the World’s Children 2003"
contains voluminous artwork and photos by the children themselves and
contains many maps, tables and vital statistics, ranging the gamut from
basic indicators, nutrition, health, education, demographic indicators,
economic indicators, women, HIV/AIDS and malaria and the rate of progress.
Although the tables and statistical materials are
reported world-wide alphabetically, the annexed regional summaries are
broken down into nine regions, namely: Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and
North Africa, South Asia, East Asia and pacific, Latin American and the
Caribbean, Central and Eastern European/Commonwealth of Independent States.
A further grouping presents regional data from the three major categories of
countries: Industrialized, Developing and Least Developed.
Beautiful pictorial presentations in the form of world
maps, clearly illustrate elements of the children’s vision, set against
the challenges to their well-being, entitled: What the children think; what
the children want: health, education and a healthy environment; and,
finally, what the children want: protection.
The nine major chapters are totally dedicated to the
world’s children, dealing respectively, with the headings: Children must
be heard; Why participation. Why now?; Engaging life; Active learning; The
sharpest edge; Listening to children; Spaces for participation; At the UN
Special Assembly on children; and, lastly, Moving forward.
Curiously, as I finished this report, Radio FM 107 burst
out with a stirring rendition of “We are the world; we are the
children...” My mind went back six decades to when I was a child. With a
relatively privileged upbringing in Tasmania, Australia, I lacked nothing: a
loving, close family; good food, access to education, no violence, no war.
Even then, as a child - albeit a rather unruly one - I was always forced to
accept the adult dictum “children should be SEEN and not HEARD”.
Maybe last year’s General Assembly has changed all that
- and for the better. As he addressed the Special Session, a 17-year-old
delegate, shaking as spoke, not from nervous tension, but rather from
conviction and passion, informed the World Body, in the strongest terms:
“In 1990, our countries signed the international ‘Convention on the
Rights of the Child’, but they have done NOTHING to realize it,” he
challenged. “We (the children) agree with your promises, but now you have
to show you mean them. I am talking from the heart - you MUST do the
same.”
Heide Grande, a 17-year-old Norwegian delegate to the
Session, was equally vociferous and forceful: “We are experts at being
eight, 12 or 17 years old in today’s society... To consult us would make
your work more effective and give better results for children. My proposal
is that you make us part of your team.
The foregoing is merely a glimpse of the gold-mine of
thoughts, hopes and expectations of today’s children: our leaders of
tomorrow. After spending much time among children and young people as a
consultant for UNICEF and in my own right as a free-lance photo-journalist,
I personally have much confidence in our future leaders.
Copies of this excellent production are available from:
UNICEF Area Office for Thailand
P.O. Box 2-154
19 Phra Atit Road
Bangkok
THAILAND 10200
Tel: (662) 280-9531
Fax: (662) 281-6033
E-mail, internet: unicef_ [email protected].
Wine Tasting Etiquettes
Wine tastings are popular because they override the
limitations of sampling wine alone, at home. How many wines can you taste on
your own unless you don’t mind throwing away nine-tenths of every bottle?
How many wines are you willing to buy on your own? And how much can you
learn tasting wine on your own or with few friends whose expertise is no
greater than yours?
Wine-tasting
session at the Royal Cliff Wine Club in Pattaya.
Wine tastings organized by wine clubs, merchants and wine
societies are events designed to give wine enthusiasts the opportunity to
sample a range of wines. These events can be seminar-like events (seated) or
they can be more like parties (tasters milling around informally). Compared
to a wine appreciation class, the participants at a wine tasting are more
likely to have various levels of knowledge. Tastings don’t come in
beginner, intermediate and advanced levels - just one size fits all.
At a wine tasting, you can learn from the professionals
who organize the event as well as from your fellow tasters. You have the
added advantage of making new friends who share your interest in wine. Most
importantly, you can taste wine in the company of some individuals whose
palates are more experienced than yours, which is a real boon in training
your palate. I have led and attended literally hundreds of wine tastings and
I can honestly say that I have learned something about wine at almost all of
them.
If you have never been to a wine tasting, don’t feel
intimidated. Familiarizing yourself with few wine tasting etiquettes will
help you feel more comfortable. Otherwise you are likely to be appalled when
you see people slurping and spiting in public.
Why are those people behaving like that?
Do you have to make loud slurping or gurgling noise that
you hear “serious” wine tasters make at tastings? Of course, you
don’t. But the drawing of air into your mouth does enhance your ability to
taste the wine. With a little practice, you can gurgle without making loud,
attention-grabbing noises.
To spit or not to spit?
If you swallow every wine you taste, by the time you
reach wine number nine or ten you will be far less thoughtful to make a
judgment about the wine. So spitting is acceptable. In wineries,
professional tasters sometime spit right onto the floor or into the drains.
In more elegant surroundings, you spit into a spittoon, usually a simple
container like a large bowl (one per taster) or an ice bucket that two or
three tasters share.
At first, naturally, some tasters are reluctant to spit
out wine. Not only have they been brought up to believe that spitting is
uncouth, but they have also paid good money for the opportunity to taste the
wine. Why waste them?
Well, you can drink all of your wine at a wine-tasting if
you wish - and some people do. But I don’t advise that you do, for the
simple reason that evaluating the later wines will be difficult if you
swallow the earlier ones, as the alcohol you consume will cloud your
judgment.
More finer points on tasting etiquettes
Smoking is a complete no-no at any wine tasting and using
strong scents - perfume, aftershave and scented hair spray are undesirable
as these smells can interfere with your ability to detect the aromas of the
wine.
Courteous wine tasters also do not volunteer their
opinion about a wine until other tasters have had a chance to taste the
wine. Serious tasters like to form their opinion independently and are sure
to throw dirty looks at anyone who interrupts their concentration
prematurely.
To attend a professionally organized wine tasting, look
out for good wine clubs, wine schools and other organizations in your area.
Your local wine merchant may be able to guide you in the right direction.
They might even sponsor wine tasting events occasionally apart from the
informal sampling opportunities they offer in the store.
Ranjith Chandrasiri is the resident manager of the Royal Cliff Grand and
the founder the of the Royal Cliff Wine Club, Royal Cliff Beach Resort,
Pattaya, Thailand. Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
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