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As Thailand’s population ages, experts look to technology to improve care
Pramote Channgam
With a rapidly aging population, Thailand must harness technology to
better provide for its increasing number of elderly citizens, a group of
nursing, health care, technology and senior-citizen organizations were told
last month.
 Pichet
Pattanachot, advisor to Thailand’s public health minister chairs the opening
of the technical meeting.
The May 20-22 “Technology and Services for the Future Elderly” seminar at
Jomtien Beach’s Ambassador Hotel brought together nursing professors, health
care providers, researchers and high-tech experts to address how technology
can be used to bolster research into problems facing the elderly and improve
the quality of life and care for senior citizens.
Pichet Pattanachot, advisor to Thailand’s public health minister, said that
as people age, their morale, spirit and activity levels decline. Improving
care and security, he said, not only improves their personal quality of
life, but benefits society, as the elderly are an important part of the Thai
family.
According to Mahidol University’s Population and Social Research Institute,
Thailand’s 7 million senior citizens comprised 10.7 percent of the
population in 2006, up from 9.8 percent in 2002 and 9.1 percent in 1999.
Within 20 years, researchers estimated, the country’s elderly population
will likely double.
The seminar, attended by approximately 300 people, also addressed the
elderly population-growth problem in Asia and worldwide. A United Nations
population survey found that the elderly population was also growing
quickly.
At the meeting, aging experts brainstormed ideas and exchanged information
on the development of health care and other services for the elderly,
modernization of care-giving agencies, and the development of a global
network to tackle aging-related issues.
The session was organized by the Faculty of Nursing at Burapha University in
Bang Saen, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, the United Nations Population Fund, the
Thai Embedded Systems Association, the National Electronics and Computer
Technology Center, the Supreme Patriarch for Aging Center, and the Alumni
Association for Health Care in Aging.
Pichet visits one of the
high-tech booths.
Sattahip Navy holds ceremony
dedicated to Prince Chumporn
Patcharapol Panrak
Prince Apakornkiatwong Chumporn Khetudomsak may be long gone, but the
“Father of the Royal Thai Navy” is most certainly not forgotten.
 Dancers
from Nong Nooch Tropical Garden perform a special tribute to Prince
Apakornkiatwong Chumporn Khetudomsak, the “Father of the Royal Thai Navy”.
Marking the 86th anniversary of the admiral’s death, Vice Adm. Sriwisut Ratarun,
commander in chief of the Sattahip Naval Base, presided over a lavish ceremony
at the Prince Chumporn Khetudomsak monument in Sattahip to honor the memory of
the pioneering mariner.
Dancers from Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, students from Bamrungsitsuksa and
Singsamut schools, the Tiger Team Bandit Sound Music Band and the Lao Lom Music
Band all put on shows. An impressive launch of 86 fireworks capped the
festivities.
Sriwisut said that this event was organized to celebrate the memory Prince
Chumporn, a medical expert and student of folk medicine who founded the Royal
Thai Naval Academy.
Pattaya seeks more
Japanese tourists
Niti Kongkrut (5th left), director
of TAT Pattaya Office,
with Paolo Randone (4th right), “guru” of dusit d2 baraquda Pattaya,
welcome travel agents from Nagoya Japan.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya hotels are trying to attract more Japanese visitors who have
been mostly absent from the city in the last 10 years, preferring other Thai
destinations on their holidays, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand
(TAT)’s Pattaya office.
On May 21 at the dusit d2 baraquda Pattaya, Niti Kongkrut, director of the TAT
Pattaya Office and Paolo Randone of the hotel welcomed travel agents from Nagoya
Japan who were visiting at the invitation from Thai Airways’ Nokoya office with
TAT officially hosting the group in Pattaya.
Niti said the Swine Flu scare has impacted directly on our tourism business,
especially in Pattaya as groups from Japan and Korea have canceled trips with no
future bookings. This spreading virus has caused about 60% loss in tourism in
total.
“We are now focusing on local tourism instead,” he said.
This year there are still many Japanese tourists visiting Thailand, averaging
1.2 million a year and spending an estimated 4.2 billion baht. Their favorites
sightseeing destinations are Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Samui and
Bangkok.
Japanese travelers are our main target in Asia but over the last 10 years
relatively smaller numbers visit Pattaya.
TAT is continuously focusing on niche markets for the Japanese, such as
businessmen, golfers, retired, married couples, family and health groups and
selling Pattaya hotel packages combining with Bangkok visits.
Chinese tour agents see
Pattaya’s smiles
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Shanghai Office sponsored 80
Chinese travel agents and media agents on a visit to Pattaya under the “Bring
back smiles to Thailand” project.
On May 26 at city hall, Lt. Chaiwat Charoensuk of the TAT Shanghai Office and
the special visiting group from China received a warm welcome from Mayor
Itthiphol Kunplome, Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay, Pattaya councilors and Niti
Kongkrut, director of TAT’s Pattaya Office.
Chaiwat said that the purpose of this visit was to show the Chinese tourism
professionals Thai Government’s intentions to welcome tourists, and the care and
security that would be provided to tourists.
Chin Ngian (2nd left), Shanghai
tourism representative,
receives the key to the city from Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome.
TAT’s Shanghai Office is spending three million baht to bring
this group on an educational trip and Pattaya was chosen for the visit due to
Chaiwat’s working knowledge of the city before he took up his post as director
of the TAT Shanghai Office.
“Chinese people only know about Pattaya superficially, therefore this tour will
show the Chinese our tourist destinations, accommodation and for them to make
business tourism contacts here,” he said.
Importantly, China’s State Order No.550 “Regulation on Travel Agency” came into
force on May, aimed at protecting Chinese tourists when they travel abroad.
The current tour is part of the Thai Government’s budget of one billion baht for
marketing to urgently restore our tourism image to again attract tourists to
come.
“In the previous year 800,000 Chinese tourists visited Thailand and their number
can grow in response to the current promotion if foreign tourists can again
trust our domestic political situation,” he said.
Chaiwat reported that the political protests of April 12th prompted the Chinese
government to warn their tourists not to visit Thailand. This warning included
forbidding all travel agencies from bringing any groups here.
While the Chinese government didn’t forbid private tourists to visit, their
travel warning still hasn’t been withdrawn, resulting in decreasing numbers of
Chinese tourists coming.
Chinese tourists are again allowed to travel here and on May 28 some 500 members
of a seminar group from Guangshaou held their meeting in Bangkok. Many made
their way down to Pattaya.
Mayor Itthiphol welcomed the Chinese visitors and said that the city was
providing good safety for tourists.
The current repairs to public CCTV coverage, for example, will provide 24 hours
of safety for tourists in a city that is always ready to protect them.
Zhang Wei-min, editor of East China Travelers, said that he knew more about
Thailand and Pattaya now which made him realize that politics were not that much
of a concern.
The mayor also explained to him measures for making it suitable for tourists of
at least 10 years of age to visit with their families.
After this visit he will tell others about his experience in Pattaya where there
is clearly a variety of tourism aspects that it is suitable for visitors of all
ages. He will emphasize this in his writing for Chinese tourists to visit
Pattaya. “Thailand is still the land of smiles,” he said with his own smile.
Using gemstones as a hedge
in today’s investing climate
This week’s emcee, John Fishback welcomed everyone to the
regular Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club at the Amari’s Henry J.
Bean Restaurant on Sunday, May 24. Then, after the usual announcements, John
introduced Peter Marsh of Black Star Jewelry as the featured speaker.
 John
Fishback, MC, conducts a lively & interesting meeting.
Peter is no stranger to the Club as he previously gave an interesting talk on
the quality of gemstones. Proceeding further on the theme of gemstones, Peter
said he would first like to display several costume jewelry designs offered by
Black Star as a prelude to his talk about using gemstones as a hedge in today’s
investing climate. Peter quickly explained that he was not an expert in the
stock market or other investments, but would comment whether investing in
gemstones might be worthwhile.
So, to start off and to the enjoyment of all the members and guests present,
several lovely ladies adorned with custom made sets of jewelry paraded around
the room. Peter mentioned that the jewelry they were wearing was not expensive
gemstones, but rather some nice relatively inexpensive costume jewelry.
After describing the various jewelry items being displayed, Peter then took up
his main topic. He cautioned the audience that there are two types of gemstones;
investment quality and non-investment quality. He said that non-investment
quality is the most common type. These are typically used in the manufacture of
jewelry and basically have a personal value to the owner. However, investment
quality gemstones are flawless, high quality stones, which can be quite
expensive.
 Peter
Marsh of BlackStar Jewelry advises PCEC members of the benefits and pitfalls of
gemstones and jewelry as investments.
Peter then commented on diamonds noting that non-investment quality is quite
common. Further, their price is artificial in that the diamond industry controls
the supply. Although such diamonds normally increase in price, this is a slow
growth over a span of years. Further, they were not insulated from the current
economic downturn having dropped 52 percent in the first quarter of 2009. This
is primarily because of limited demand during the current economic situation.
However, Peter stated that gold is “going through the roof” when compared to
other precious metals, gemstones, or other types of investment.
For investment quality gemstones, Peter said that in the past these were
purchased mostly by collectors; not investors. However, although jewelry grade
gemstones have not appreciated much, if any, in value during these economic
times, it appears that this lack of demand has not carried over into high
quality flawless types of gems. For example, blue diamonds are rare, which in
Peter’s opinion will rise significantly in value. Similarly, sapphires have a
finite supply, thus retaining or increasing in value, usually fairly quickly.
But, again, he said, these are top quality, flawless sapphires. Consequently,
investors are now looking at these quality gemstones as an investment.
However, if you plan to purchase such gemstones, Peter emphasized that you need
to have someone knowledgeable to advise you on their quality and value. Further,
they should be treated as any other investment or commodity. One common problem
in investing in gems is becoming too attached to their beauty as would a
collector, thus not wanting to part with them.
Before asking for questions, Peter did relate an interesting bit of information
about the trading of gemstones. He noted that there has been a group of secret
traders in high quality gemstones, passing down the trade within their families
for centuries. They often make deals and exchange funds among themselves simply
on trust - no contracts needed. Their reputation is all that counts. These
secret trading families are still in business to this day. Back in the days of
trading caravans, Peter said these traders would often surround their caravan
with dirty, grubby children that no one would want to approach. Often the jewels
were concealed by sewing them into these children’s clothing.
In response to a question about the trading of gemstones within Thailand, Peter
mentioned Chantaburi as a seat of such trade. He related that when you go there,
you enter a particular establishment and seat yourself at a table. He said you
will then be approached by someone wanting to know what you seek and how much
you want to pay. They will then write this information above you on a
chalkboard. Various gem sellers will be wandering around the street and if they
think they have what you want, they will approach. This is when the negotiation
begins. Generally they operate within certain parameters as to price. So,
sometimes, they may want to take your offer to someone who has the authority to
agree or not agree. In those cases, you the buyer are expected to wait at the
table for at least one hour. If they return within that period with an
acceptance, the deal has been made and you must pay the agreed amount in cash.
You will also be expected to pay a fee for the “table” you used - sometimes this
is paid in part or all by the gem seller depending upon your negotiations.
After Peter’s presentation, Emcee John called on former Club Chairman Drew
Noyes. Drew briefly described his trip with Mayor Ittipol and others to Dubai
and India to promote the tourist industry in Pattaya. He noted that they stayed
in the famous, or perhaps now infamous, Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai. Overall he
said the group was well received and he expects that it will generate more
tourism to Pattaya from that area.
Emcee John then updated everyone on coming events in and around Pattaya. He then
called on John Lynham to conduct the ever popular Open Forum, where members and
guests exchange information about living in Thailand and Pattaya in particular.
Peter shows off the BlackStar
Jewels - and some lovely gemstones as well.
Doctor urges correct
computer posture
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Dr Natchai Jitthamvanich, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
specialist at the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, urged young office workers to take
care of their backs while using computers. Most important is knowing how to sit
in the right posture at the desks.
On May 16 the “Ordinary back pain can become a harmful one” seminar was held at
the hospital to inform American International Assurance (AIA) clients and others
on ways to take care of their backs and deal with back pain.
 Dr
Natchai Jitthamvanich, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist at the
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya urges young office workers to watch their backs.
Dr Natchai said back pain is the most common pain found among patients,
gradually causing weakness in their bodies. The other prevalent pain is
headache.
He said back pain occurs in almost every field of work, but long hours spent at
computer work has become the main cause of back pain among young workers.
Sitting with the wrong posture is the main cause of this back pain.
He said the right posture to sit at the computer is with the back upright,
monitor set at eye level and keyboard placed where hands can comfortably reach.
The hospital is well equipped with high-tech equipment and specialists who can
assist with back and joint pains through special therapies.
The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
and more information can be obtained on 1719.
GTCC no place for pessimists
Rene Pisters, Thai Garden Resort
GM (3rd left), Dr. Paul Strunk (5th left) and Martin Klose (4th right) gather
for a souvenir shot with guests and GTCC members.
Peter Nordhues
On May 15, the latest meeting of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) took
place at the traditional ‘Stammtisch’ venue, the Moon River Pub right in front
of Thai Garden Resort. Once more, members from Bangkok, Pattaya and surroundings
found their way to the venue located at North Pattaya Road.
Despite the rainy weather conditions, some new faces were spotted amongst the
many regulars. This time, the Chamber was represented by its vice-president,
Martin Klose, who is also the director of Rödl & Partner, Ltd. He was especially
happy to welcome the ever charismatic former president of the Chamber, Dr. Paul
Strunk.
GTCC Executive Director Stefan Bürkle was forced to miss out on the gathering,
as he had been tied up with other business and had just returned from a trip to
Germany the same afternoon. However, Klose was a worthy representative.
In his brief speech, Klose greeted the attendees and referred to the economical
situation, saying, “Individuals and enterprises in Thailand feel the current
slump stemming from the global financial meltdown and the political
unstableness.” Yet he was positive that all these obstacles can be overcome so
that Thailand may find its way back to normality. Klose went on to wish all
guests a successful event, followed by, “The buffet is opened!”
It is a sheer pleasure to observe the subsequent hustle this traditional
sentence triggers each time, and it may be regarded as evidence for the
delicious cuisine served at this sophisticated venue. At GTCC meetings, dinner
time is a synonym for networking time, and all business people were acting
correspondingly - socializing, exchanging knowledge, forging new links. As usual
among entrepreneurs these days, the current economic situation was the core
subject in most conversations. Although, there was almost no sign of pessimism.
As one guest put it, “I see opportunities and I’m convinced that Thailand will
emerge from this crisis invigorated.”
You will find the GTCC at: German-Thai Chamber of Commerce, 25th Floor, Empire
Tower 3, 195 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120. Tel. +66 (0)
2-670-0600, fax +66 (0) 2-670-0601, e-mail [email protected].
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