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"The Rounds"
Headlines Roman Catholics Have a New Pope Government Acts to Improve Thai Pavilion at the World Exposition 2005 in Aichi, Japan Songkhran Casualties Down Significantly This Year THAI to Start Non-Stop Service Between to New York City Beijing-Tokyo Relations Sink to Lowest Point in Decades Cambodia: New Destination for Potential Foreign Residents? Asia Miles Web Site Revamped with New Offers as Well Thai TV and Radio Now Available on the Internet ID Required to Buy SIM Cards in Bid to Halt Remotely-Detonated Bombs * * * * * * * * * * Roman Catholics Have a New Pope
Photograph CNN Pope Benedict XVI The College of Cardinals wasted little time electing their fellow, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, as heir to the papal throne long the seat of the late Pope John Paul II. Ratzinger is the 6th German to be elevated to the papacy, and the first since the 11th century, according to the CNN story "Ratzinger a close confidant of John Paul II: New pope oversaw church doctrine under his predecessor." The new Pope's last position as Cardinal was to head the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith -- formerly named the Holy Office of the Inquisition until it was renamed in 1908 by Pope Pius X -- while he simultaneously held the position of Dean of the College of Cardinals. Somewhat liberal as a young priest, the new Pope swung right as years passed, and earned the nickname "Cardinal No" for his conservatism. Pope Benedict XVI emerged onto the traditional balcony at 6:48 P.M. Tuesday Rome time (11:48 P.M. Bangkok time), sooner than many Vatican observers had expected the College of Cardinals to reach a decision. At 78 years old, Pope Benedict XVI may have been chosen as a transitional figure; after all, since right after Pope John Paul II passed away, many have noted he is an extremely hard act to follow. Further, to go through a shorter papacy -- Pope John Paul II was the 3rd-longest serving Pope in history -- give the Church some breathing room, particularly if the new Pope is less of an activist than his predecessor was. The new Pope is an intellectual and said to be personally charming and friendly. Given his theological and political conservatism, these various qualities well suit him to succeed the immensely popular Pope John Paul II, who was well-received by people just about everywhere, even in places with other faiths than Christianity. This is not to say Pope Benedict XVI is a carbon copy of Pope John Paul II; he's not. He has said the Catholic Church follows the only valid theology, excluding even other Christian denominations. This is opposite Pope John Paul II's reaching out not only to other Christians, but also to other faiths, perhaps most notably Judaism and Islam. One indication of the importance of this Papal election holds for the world is that as I write, less than 8 hours after the emergence of the new Pope, a Google News search for "Pope Benedict XVI" yielded 1,660 returns -- over 200 per hour. By the way, Pope Benedict XVI turned 78 just this past Saturday. What a great birthday present he got! Best wishes to the new Pope as he assumes the throne of the Catholic Church. [Wednesday, April 20, 2005] * * * * * * * * * * The world knows of the recent deaths of Pope John Paul II and Monaco's revered Prince Rainier. But last week yet another great man died April 11th in the US, between the burials of the Pope and the Prince: Dr. Maurice Hilleman. "Huh? Who?" you might understandably ask. He pretty much shunned the spotlight. I was aware of him as a respected medical researcher but really knew little about him, until a friend sent me the link to Dr. Hilleman's obituary in the April 12, 2005 edition of The New York Times. He was as extraordinary in the field of medical research -- and using that research in service to humanity -- as the Pope was in his own areas of faith and morality and the Prince was in inspiring millions with his dignity, grace, and leadership. "Maurice Hilleman, Master in Creating Vaccines, Dies at 85" is the obituary, and is quite detailed in recounting Dr. Hilleman's many contributions to advancing medical knowledge in a range of areas. For example, 2 of his fellow scientists are said in the article to believe he saved more lives in the 20th century than any other scientist of the century. Another example is his development of 8 of the 14 routinely recommended vaccines. A third is his development of the very first vaccine having an effect on any cancer, in this case hepatoma, a kind of liver cancer that can develop as a result of hepatitis B, for which Dr. Hilleman developed a vaccine. It's easy to understand why the late President Ronald Reagan honored this tremendous scientists with the National Medal of Science, the US's highest scientific honor, in 1988. It's worth your while to read the obituary (though to read the second page of it requires a simple and free registration process). Medical historians will long note and marvel over Dr. Hilleman's magnificent career. [Saturday, April 16, 2005] * * * * * * * * * *
Government Acts to Improve Thai Pavilion In recent days there have been complaints from Thais that the Kingdom's exposition pavilion the World Exposition 2005 at is substandard to the point of it being an embarrassment. The government has reacted quickly to remedy the situation, according to a story in today's Bangkok Post headlined "Team rushes to Japan to improve Thai Pavilion, stave off criticism: Facelift planned, minister to visit." The exposition draws countries from around the globe, and East Asia (from Pakistan to Japan and from Mongolia to Indonesia) is well represented with 18 countries from the region in attendance. The theme is to develop a harmonious blending of technology and science with nature, the event's theme labeled "NATURE'S WISDOM." With about 120 participating nations and 4 major international organizations also taking part, this is a significant opportunity for Thailand to showcase itself, especially given the event runs March 25-September 25, 2005. Reportedly, the chief complaints are that the pavilion lacks a clearly Thai identity, portions of it are said to be unattractive, and the interior uninspired. There also is a disagreement between the Thai government and the contractor that built the pavilion over revenues from sales of products produced under the OTOP (One Tambon One Product) scheme -- resulting in sales currently suspended as the 2 sides seek a solution. A team has been dispatched to Aichi to study ways to improve the pavilion, and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat plans to visit at the end of this month. Some steps are already being initiated to improve the pavilion's visual appeal. Let's wish the Minister and his team speedy success. [Sunday, April 17, 2005] * * * * * * * * * * Songkhran Casualties Down Significantly This Year The death and injury toll was way down for this year's Thai New Year celebration according to stories in both major English-language dailies, The Nation story headlined "ROAD DEATH CONTINUED RISE" and the Bangkok Post article titled "Lower Songkran toll pleases Thaksin: Safety campaigns must carry on, he says." Final figures won't be in until after today, as I understand it; the government will continuing keeping a tally until midnight tonight (Sunday). But the numbers so far are very encouraging when compared to last year's: 25% fewer deaths, 59% fewer injuries, and just shy of 60% fewer accidents, according to Prime Minister Thaksin in his weekly radio address yesterday, citing official figures through Friday. Authorities are saying the chief contributing factor to Songkhran accidents this year is speed. Far and away the great majority of those killed and injured were involved in motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle drivers often drive at insane speeds when traffic conditions permit and don't wear helmets (and neither do their passengers) -- prompting P.M. Thaksin to say he wants authorities to focus particularly on this segment of the driving public. Something in the range of 80-85% of the casualties this year were in accidents involving motorcycles. Regarding 4-wheel and larger vehicles, solving the problem of speeding remains difficult. Thai friends have explained to me that driving fast is a sign of high status, especially when the driver is in a fancy car. While my sympathies do go out to the dead, injured, and others affected, it is a relief that the statistics are down. I hope this marks a new trend in Thai motoring. [Sunday, April 17, 2005] * * * * * * * * * * THAI to Start Non-Stop Service Between to New York City Thailand's national flag-carrier airline THAI is set to launch non-stop service between Bangkok and New York City from May 1, 2005, it announced awhile back on its web site in a press released "THAI Flies Non-Stop to New York." The flight to New York will land and depart at JFK International Airport. The flight takes 17 hours and will use the new super-long range Airbus A340-500 Version 3452, for which Airbus executives claim much greater fuel efficiency, environmental friendliness, and cutting edge technology than the company's earlier models and any of their competitors' models. I was surprised at the A340-500 Version 3452 seat configuration map on the web site, as it seats a surprisingly low 215 passengers, but then, I know virtually nothing about the economic factors involved. The return fares BKK-NYC-BKK run from 42,000 baht (US$1058) for the cheapest economy ticket to 134,000 baht (US$3392) for Royal Silk class for special "Smile NYC Promotion" fares. The fares on the reverse route, NYC-BKK-NYC are considerably higher, ranging from 78,000 baht (US$1975) to 222,000 baht (US$5,620). A word about the various classes are in order; according to the seat configuration map there are 113 Economy seats, 42 Premium Economy seats, and 60 Business Class seats -- i.e., there are no First Class seats. But an American friend here who flies THAI's business class regularly says it's almost as good as many airlines' first class is. This particular flight, TG790, will depart Bangkok every day at 12:40 A.M. (0040) and arrive in New York City at 5:35 A.M. (0535) the same day. The flight from New York City to Bangkok, TG791 will depart 11:00 A.M. (1100) and arrive in Bangkok at 4:10 P.M. (1610) the next day. I should mention THAI has numerous other flights on this route which make 1 stop each direction [Sunday, April 17, 2005] * * * * * * * * * * Beijing-Tokyo Relations Sink to Lowest Point in Decades As the days have gone by since Tokyo authorized revisionist history books that downplay Imperial Japan's World War II atrocities, the coming out of Japan's efforts to join the U.N. Security Council as a permanent member (albeit without the veto power held by the current Big Five), and anti-Japanese demonstrations in several places in China have occurred, relations have sunk dramatically. China has a reputation of being unreasonably demanding, but in this case it seems fair that Japanese society as a whole needs, 60 years on, to admit to atrocities during the war, including forcing women in other countries to be sex slaves for Japanese troops, one of the most politically explosive issues in China. And it needs not only to admit it, but to apologize unreservedly for it -- something Tokyo has refused all these years to do. Though I recall practically nothing of the one college course in Japanese language I took 16 years ago, I do remember my teacher, a native speaker from Japan, telling the class there are various ways of expressing an apology in Japanese, ranging from one for a minor infraction to one at the other end of the "regret spectrum." Japan insists on staying at the minor-infraction end of things, fanning rage in China and elsewhere across the region (not least of all Korea). On the other hand, there can be little doubt that Beijing tacitly approved of the initial protests; it's unthinkable the communist giant's security forces are unable to halt a demonstration in its tracks -- yet widespread protests have occurred, some involving a degree of violence. Japan is demanding an apology for those incidents, as well as reparations and official guarantees no further such incidents occur. Given the tight control Beijing keeps on expressions of political dissatisfaction by her citizens (and foreigners, for that matter), these are not illogical requests by Tokyo. But it's Tokyo's first move. Time and time again former sex slaves have had their cases tossed out by contemporary Japanese courts. Then there was the physical destruction across large swaths of China, and the horrendous summary executions of untold numbers of innocent Chinese civilians. For Asian nations, things are getting better to the west, as Indian and Pakistan seek peace. Yet tensions in East Asia poses real concerns for nations not involved in the disputes, not just those that are. What would happen if a China-Japan, China-Korea, or China-Taiwan armed conflict to occur, even on a limited scale? How would the U.S. react? Thailand and other regional innocent nations would stand to lose much. The hundreds of stories in the news media around the world underscore the explosive nature of the situation. Some of my friends right here in Bangkok, both foreign and Thai ones, have expressed varying degrees of concern. More of the concern is economic than military, but concern it is. I hope the opponents act responsibly and end this worsening-by-the-day tension. [Sunday, April 17, 2005] Update: It is being reported that a meeting in Beijing between the 2 countries' foreign ministers failed to settle the disputes, each accusing the other of being entirely responsible for exacerbated tensions. There were further anti-Japanese demonstrations in China yesterday. [Monday, April 18, 2005] * * * * * * * * * * Cambodia: New Destination for Potential Foreign Residents? I have heard a number of anecdotes over the past 2 or 3 years suggesting that Cambodia is rather foreigner-friendly when it comes to people wishing to stay there for lengthy periods of time. For example, an American friend was through recently on his way to visit a mutual friend residing in Cambodia. According to the friend who came here, our friend is staying on a yearly business visa; apparently, the fact he has a Cambodian wife is not part of the visa equation. I was told the visa costs only US$285 per year, with no bank account requirements other than to show a reasonable income being transferred into the country. My friend says foreigners can even own land. The website of the country's Ministry of Interior makes it seem even easier, if the information contained there is accurate and up-to-date. On it's Questions & Answers Page, an interactive page to which one submits a question then receives a reply there, answers a question about how to obtain one can obtain Cambodian citizenship. The answer gives 2 possibilities: marry a Khmer or invest US$310,000 then work in the Kingdom for 7 years. In the first case, there is nothing said about any financial requirements. The second option is rather less attractive, at least in my opinion. But having known a Thai whose Father was an international investor with millions of dollars invested in the U.S. and who had traveled the globe extensively -- but not the U.S. -- and who was refused a tourist visa to go visit his properties in the U.S., it's hard to fault the latter option. Visas-on-arrival cost US$20 for a 30-day tourist visa and US$25 for a business visa. The first can be extended once (a rather cumbersome process almost demanding the use of expedited service at US$40), while the second can, in theory, be extended indefinitely. I've been to Cambodia a few times, if only to Phnom Penh (and Poi Pet, but only to walk across the border and right back), and was greatly impressed in every way, right from checking in upon arrival at the airport through checking out at the end of my stays. Everyone I met was friendly, and many speak quite competent English. I can't speak with authority, but it seemed far more Khmers in the Cambodian capital speak English than is the case in Bangkok. And prices are very reasonable. Even the tourist-oriented establishments are very competitive. The first hotel I stayed in gave me a nice, spacious room for US$18 per night. I later stayed in another hotel right on the river where the room I had the first night, not on the river side of the hotel, was only US$35 per night for a really nice room, while the room I moved to for the remainder of my stay overlooking the river cost only US$45 per night. And from what I'm told, there are plenty of budget accommodations as well as higher-end ones. (A friend who travels there regularly stays in another, very upscale, riverside hotel in a huge room with a balcony for which the rack rate is only about $150 per night -- more than a lot of travelers want to pay, but appropriate for, say, businessmen needing to have meetings in their hotel rooms. Food prices cover the same relative range; I've eaten for as little as a dollar and as much as US$15-16 (excluding beverages). As is true of Bangkok and a number of other cities around the region, there is no shortage of a vast array of cuisines. One of my favorite restaurant's is a Russian one, where the food is to die for, as is the home-made vodka. (Beware the vodka -- it's potent!) In central Phnom Penh, I understand Western-style apartments with all the amenities can be had for as little as about $250 per month. (By the way, in most of the places foreigners find themselves buying goods or services the prices are in U.S. dollars.) Transportation is improving, at least in Phnom Penh, and I've heard projects to upgrade and even build provincial and inter-provincial roads are being planned. In Phnom Penh, the easiest way to get about is to hire a taxi -- available for $25-30 per day, total, no hidden charges, not even for fuel. Of course, if you want to go by taxi to another city, you'll have to negotiate. While traffic is disorderly, it moves at a much more leisurely place than here, and certainly with far more road courtesy. There are also tricycle rickshaws everywhere. Communications are getting better all the time, and are relatively inexpensive compared to some other countries in the region. Mobile phone prices are on par with prices here in Bangkok, and you can buy a SIM card for $10 and stored-value phone cards in varying denominations -- the easiest way to go, really, even for those planning on staying a lengthy period, given the ubiquity of places selling the stored-value cards. The Internet is widely available in Phnom Penh; there are even some hot spots in town. Telephone service is reasonably good, including internationally, if somewhat more expensive internationally than here in Thailand. With international airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (the jump-off point for the World Heritage site Angkor Wat) and others possible, according to street gossip, the country is increasingly easy to reach. As far as I know, most international flights, especially intercontinental ones, arrive via Bangkok, but even so, it's a far cry from yesteryear. There are also 6 land border posts (on the Thai, Laos, and Vietnamese borders). The country is at peace, both internally and with its neighbors. According to friends reasonably well placed to know, Prime Minister Hun Sen has turned out to be remarkably effective, despite the deadlock after the last general election. The various factions appear to have reached a workable coalition. [Monday, April 18, 2005] * * * * * * * * * * Asia Miles Web Site Revamped with New Offers as Well Asia Miles is a mileage-accumulation company that partners with a wide variety of travel and holiday companies as well as others. The web site has been given a major facelift and is, in a word, great. The various programs are aimed at the high-end traveler, so the Khao San Road backpacking set aren't likely to find anything appealing to them at Asia Miles. But for the upscale traveler, whether as a holidaymaker or one on a business trip, there is much to consider through the various offerings. Take earning miles through dining at partner restaurants. Here in Bangkok there are 9 participating restaurants. The requirement is that you spend at least 1,600 baht and a maximum of 55,000 baht; your bill is worth 5 air miles on participating airlines for every 42 baht spent, i.e., 38-1,309 miles. That may not sound much, but if you combine the various offers, your miles can add up in a hurry. For example, for a limited time British Airways is awarding triple Air Asia miles on the airline's route between London and Shanghai. In First Class this gives you a remarkable 51,669 miles; even in Discount Economy Class you get 17,223 miles. And Asia Miles has 17 partner airlines from 5 regions right around the world: Europe (Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, and Swiss International Airlines, North America (Alaska Airlines and American Airlines), Australasia (Royal Brunei Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Eastern Airlines, Dragonair, Japan Airlines/Japan Asia Airways, Quantas Airways, and Vietnam Airlines), Africa/Middle East (Gulf Air and South African Airways), and South America (LAN). On all these airlines flight qualify for 100% of the actual miles flown as bonus Asia Miles up to 150% of those miles, depending on the class you fly. Restrictions do apply, of course. Even so, the high-end traveler, particularly those of you who travel frequently, could find yourself benefiting if you investigate the numerous opportunities available through Asia Miles -- and I've mentioned just a couple of them. [Wednesday, April 20, 2005] * * * * * * * * * * Thai TV and Radio Now Available on the Internet Thanks to Martin in England for letting me know about the web site TANTINAN FREE LINKS, which makes Thai television and radio available over the Internet -- if you have a decent broadband connection. There are offerings in both mediums in Thai and English. I tried Channel 9 first, but on my wretched 46.6 kbps connection, the quality was poor; I plain don't know what speed is required for good reception. But the luck was better with a radio station, FM 100.5, which came through just fine even at slow speed. For expatriate Thais longing for the sounds of their native language living someplace where they don't have access to Thai broadcast entertainment but do have access to decent Internet connections, this is great. Now they can watch corny Thai soap operas -- and believe me, they can be as corny as the corniest of any other country's! (A friend's grown half-British, half Thai daughter is an actress, and she has told me how embarrassed she is by some of her own soap opera performances, but that her directors insist on them.) Now you can tell your little tilac (sweetheart) she won't be deprived of her favorite soap opera or local bubblegum pop when you're courting her to run off to a strange, foreign land to spend her life with you -- you know, America, Canada, England, Australia -- that sort of alien, exotic place! For the rest of you, there are numerous other links that have nothing to do with Thailand, so this is a web site well worth checking out. [Wednesday, April 20, 2005] * * * * * * * * * *
ID Required to Buy SIM Cards in Bid The government is instituting a plan to require ID from purchasers of mobile phone SIM cards in an effort to make it more difficult for terrorists to rig bombs detonated remotely by the ubiquitous phones. Existing phone owners are required to provide their ID to their phone company within 6 months, though it's not clear to me to whom someone who has just bought a stored-value card is supposed to report, a group that includes me. Given the violence, it's easy to understand the motive of striving to at least contain and at best eliminate it; the move is squarely aimed at terrorists in the violence-ridden Deep South. There are already grumblings about the measure on privacy grounds, but I personally have no problem with the new requirement, as long as it doesn't preclude my buying a stored-value card; as the law now stands, I cannot have phone service in my own name without having the proper visa and, if I work, a work permit, neither of which are required to use stored-value cards. Coordination with the phone companies is essential, of course. They are seeking laws to ensure they can help without being exposed to legal retribution, as reported in today's Bangkok Post ("Rights secondary in mobile ID plan: Chaturon: Govt won't retreat in a tight spot") and The Nation ("TACKLING TERRORISM: Mobile ID plan appears doomed.") However, the measure doesn't -- and I suspect can't -- address other ways of detonating explosive devices remotely. While I know a little (precious little) about those methods, I don't want to publicize them here. About those other ways I really don't have a clue how to stop them, short of jamming radio signals, which, essentially, is what a mobile phone is. For people to resort to blowing up innocent civilians, including children, in pursuit of their political agendas is despicable. Even in times of war nations generally try to limit what the military is pleased to call "collateral damage." [Wednesday, April 20, 2005] I'm off for (I hope) a well-deserved short holiday tomorrow and Friday to Cambodia, so I'm putting up "The Rounds" early this week. Seven days a week gets wearing, though I love it. . . . But, as Arnold likes to say . . . "I'll be back!" [Wednesday, April 12, 2005] * * * * * * * * * * Enough for one go . . . Until next time -- Mekhong Kurt * * * * * * * * * * E-mail Change Notification Sign-up Sign-up here for e-mail notification when I add or change something on the site. Just go to the sign-up page. * * * * * * * * * * Where Is *Your* Name??? So you've been a slacker and still haven't signed up for the free BangkokAtoZ.com Updates Mailing List??? ;-) Well, get with the program and sign up right now to be notified via e-mail whenever we add something to the site -- that way, you don't even have to visit the Updates Page to see if there's anything new -- we'll let you know by e-mail. If you want to sign up, just go to the sign-up page. I'm pleased to say that more and more of you are signing up, and I urge all of you not to hesitate! * * * * * * * * * * Where is *Your* "Traveler's Tale"???
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