Tawan News & Views Thailand

Demo: Access your workspace from Microsoft Office

2009-12-06T01:58:00.000-08:00

Demo: Access your workspace from Microsoft Office .

Thai Videos

2009-06-14T21:23:00.001-07:00

Your Seat at the Table

2008-12-05T23:02:00.001-08:00

I have been following an historic event in the area of public involvement in governmental process. President Elect Obama’s change.gov, it is truly amazing through the power of transparency that I sitting here in Thailand am allowed to participate through comments and intense debate at the same time that the meetings are going on.

Why would someone be interested in these meetings? Simple, we all face the same problems. The financial crisis, rising unemployment, energy crisis, healthcare, recession and education all are problems every country must face.

In the past all of these issues were kept behind closed doors lacking public input and transparency. Transparency is the process that allows real change. The process is called Your Seat at the Table.

Thailand has put into place the beginnings of this process with egov sites for example in paying taxes. Thailand can make available all policy documents from official meetings on policy issues in real time. This can replace archaic tactics of carrying signs on the street, avoiding mob hysteria, three phrases dumbing-down issues and many other social ills.

This is a posted comment that shows how this applies to every country. “This site allows an exchange of information that will help educate and inform the people of our nation to engage and commit to act when and where opportunities are found.”

This will allow our leaders to also formulate and implement policy decisions more quickly as feedback can be gathered from around the world. It is just too hot in Thailand to carry a sign on the street and to allow critical policies decisions to be paralyzed at a time of domestic and global crisis.

Get your seat at the table.

Yes, We can.

2008-11-16T03:01:00.000-08:00

In a world of crisis a once in a generation leader is born, just as a generation ago Sir Winston Churchill was that leader and brought the world to victory and now President Elect Obama is that world leader called upon in the time of the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression, in countries divided such as our own and at a time when our planet is at peril. Why is this so important to us in Thailand coming from a leader of a country so far away from us? And most important what is the answer to our problems?
The answer came from President Elect Obama’s victory speech in three words “Yes, We can”. The mighty words of Democracy, Free Markets and Government By the People and For the People are not at fault. The failure has come from the implementation of these great ideals. Generations of trickle-down economics and trickle-down politics benefiting a chosen few are on their way out of the world stage. This is the change that is coming.
President Elect Obama did not come from the powers that be nor was his campaign born in the hall of power in Washington instead he came from a background not unlike most of us against all odds received an education through honest hard work and belief in self and country. This experience gives him an insight into the problems facing most of us in our daily lives that government has forgotten.
The reality that some problems are greater than the individual and the solution of sink or swim can no longer be followed instead the reality that government has a responsibility and a duty to respond to these problems for all people rich or poor. “Yes, We can”, is the answer for all of us not just America as President Elect Obama has pointed out in his victory speech it is the answer for the world. Along the way, it will be pointed out by cynics that we are not intelligent enough or educated enough or do not care or that it will take 500 years. Just remember cynics are for entertainment purposes only intent on the status quo, the answer is “Yes, We can”.
Many cynics will also say that this is just talk but the difference is it is the right talk. The implementation of “Yes, We can start with our individual efforts to answer the call to service in every aspect of our daily lives at work, leisure and family.
The reality is Thailand is a small player on the world stage but at one time so was England and Japan the fact is the sum of the parts is greater than the whole and thus we have a brighter future together in the era of globalization and we can contribute greatly. Can President Elect Obama guide America in the right direction and can we do the same? Yes, we can.

Thailand Constitution Rewrite

2008-07-01T22:17:00.000-07:00

Thailand Constitution Rewrite

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 310 , 10:45:15
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The Constitution is only a framework designed to provide check and balances, accountability and transparency to fight the sins of our past history of corruption. Those against this framework wants to return to the sins of our past because it is a successful business model for them and the only game they know in which they have evolved into masters. Since the elections this inner circle has observed that the sins of the past can be returned to and continued into the future because Thailand has not provided a workable alternative to the framework and this inner circle of people have joyously concluded that once again they are the only game in town.
The framework has given us valuable time in the past few months to provide an alternative model to the sins of our past. Instead of, taking advantage of the past few months in developing a workable alternative plan of action, we have sit on the sidelines and observed the slow but sure step by step return to the sins of our past. The people have played by the rules of Democracy by voting and sending politicians to represent the people. Now the people are waiting for a workable alternative to the sins of our past. In other words, where is our Senator Obama that has pledged to change the way Washington D.C. is influenced by special interest and lobbyist and finally let the voice of the people be heard in Washington D.C. also alongside special interests. With no workable alternative we are doomed to continue our sins of the past simple because there will be no alternative when there is only one game in town to vote for. The only one game in town has been made quite clear and under this scenario will continue to be voted for by the people.

The world record commodities prices as stated by the United Nations and many others, has given us a small window of opportunity to use the profits to develop our agriculture sector. The economy, financial sector, inflation and private and foreign investment have all been put on hold by the political crisis. This window of opportunity does not stay open long. Just as in Thailand some in the Global financial community are fighting efforts of a regulation framework to provide accountability, disclosure and transparency to avoid another global crisis. Simply because they have also become masters of the only game in town serving the needs of the few.

The people are anxiously waiting to see if this window of opportunity will be closed or will we have an alternative before the window is closed. Perhaps the foreign investors has posed the question better will the Thai Constitution be rewritten or not? For they two must first wait to see which rules of the game they will be forced to play by, the sins of our past or a workable alternative.

Issan Farmer's Shock with uS Farm Crisis

2008-07-01T22:15:00.000-07:00

Issan Farmer's Shock with U.S. Farm Crisis

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 225 , 07:56:01
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Issan farmers may see the U.S. sub-prime crisis affecting their future as well. Conditions are very similar to the U.S. 1980 farm collapse. Increasing farm debt that caused the collapse of 300 agriculture banks in the U.S. Seeds and fertilizer are doubling in price. Worldwide increases in commodities prices leading more U.S. farmers to take on more debt. If commodities prices fall, recent investments in machinery and land will cause the debt to be more than the value of the farm exactly as the residential mortgage market.

U.S. subsidies for ethanol production have led more farmers to plant corn. The recent political backlash in the world with food riots from increasing food prices has shown rushing into bio-fuels production has been poorly planned.
Issan farmers will be affected by a new sub-prime farmer’s crisis adding more trade and financial sectors shock from the U.S.

Road Trip Back Home

2008-07-01T22:12:00.001-07:00

Road Trip Back Home

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 166 , 07:29:15
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My every other month trip back to my fathers’ hometown was a pleasant two and a half hour drive from Udon Thani. It is a nice drive on a four lane highway all the way. I keep forgetting to stay out of the passing lane speeding tickets are 100 baht. My father always looks forward to our trip back home. It gives him a chance to relax and talk to his 10 brothers and sisters.

My duty is to collect our share of rice, fish, vegetables and fruits as much as we can carry. It is like going to Makro. Our farm village has grown to around one thousand people so many aunts uncles and cousins that I do not know. The rice farm does not look like a farm anymore; it looks more like a housing development than a farm with so many houses everywhere.

Makes me worry in a few years this generation will be too old to farm anymore. Although something must be up in the mechanization plans there were at least a dozen trucks unloading Kobuta tractors. In a few years time I will have to start buying rice and fish at Makro like everyone else.

Now that I am back, how is our country? Have we solved the political conflict, dealt with food and energy inflation, the credit crunch. The asset bubble, bank bailouts, regulations and standards, agriculture spillover effects, competitive exports. falling dollar, speculation and hedging, education in the knowledge based economy, risk management, stress testing and contingency plans?
Just a few questions to see where to start.

Godzilla & Subway

2008-07-01T22:10:00.000-07:00

Godzilla & Subway

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 186 , 15:38:04
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My favorite mascot Godzilla. Another good one download from youtube.

Definition of the Farm Crisis

2008-07-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

Definition of the Farm Crisis

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 159 , 11:23:22
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THE FARM CRISIS

Before discussing National Food Policy, we must first look at the history of agricultural crisis which seems to reoccur every 10 years and before deciding on the cause of the current crisis which has been suggested by the United Nations and the World Bank as a production problem or is it a distribution problem as suggested by the Asian Development Bank.

We begin by the definition of what is a farmer using the works of William D. Hefferman, PhD, Department of Rural Sociology University of Missouri and Mary K. Hendrickson,, PhD. The study uses current agreed upon definitions and trends from the 1960’s to 2004.

Webster’s Dictionary defines a farm as _a piece of land (house, barns, etc.) on which crops and
animals are raised._ This definition puts the emphasis on land, but the inclusion of house and barn implies particular type of farming system a dispersed farming system.

•A dispersed farming system is used in the United States.
•A village farming system is used in Thailand.
•An industrialize farm is used in globalization starting in the 1970’s with de-emphasis on house and barn and emphasis on managing and operations but does not provide labor or capital major managerial decisions are made in the vertically and horizontally integrated cluster food system.
•Key note small farms are now classified as hobby farms, retirement farms and part-time farms and not included in the USDA farm system. These farms have no access to marketing data or no marketing contacts beyond their local market. Studies in Parishes in Louisiana State indicate without access to markets poverty is passed on from generation to generation family and cultural ties to the land reinforces the cycle.
•The dictionary further describes a farmer as one that operates and manages a farm. In the industrialized model the farmer does neither therefore a farm does not need a farmer.
•Large grain farmers receive government subsidies, middle grain producers receive none small grain producers supplement income with non-farm jobs.
•Economist sees the trends as inevitable with only government tweaks needed since the market forces are so strong they cannot be changed as the world’s top 100 economies are designed and centrally planned to produce for the advanced markets that can afford an inconvenience as price increases are not life threatening NGO’s are in charge of food handouts to keep the population alive while waiting for investment funds to cultivate the land.
•Sociologists sees the trends as manmade and thus can be changed reason being the economic system is a social institution and its structure is a social design. The success of privatized central planning takes over markets and democracy.

Implementation of policy requires further discussion of the current food clustering industries in the global food chain and current local market developments that each country faces.

A Plea to All Nation's Bloggers & Readers

2008-06-21T22:39:00.000-07:00

A plea to all Nation's Bloggers & readers

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 347 , 13:44:57
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A plea for help to all Nation’s bloggers and readers.
The Bank of Thailand's website for regional economies section of which the northeastern section is never updated for the monthly, quarterly and annual economic reports. I understand that the old information from the 1990’s – 2005 is important historical data. But I have only been back to Thailand for six months so the need for updated information is necessary not only for myself but for many others as well including local business. I receive updated economic reports from the north region but never from the northeastern region.
The History section of the website says that the BOT’s branch office was the second branch office in Thailand so I would assume that it would have up-to-date economic data and statistics. How can the Board of Investment promote a region that has limited economic data to investors?
The revenue, rice and pork prices sections are up-to-date. The articles section has two articles only. This is not meant as a criticism but a plea for up-to-date information. There are many of us that go abroad and on our return need up-to-date information so that we can form opinions and use economic indicators to see future trends for the northeast region where we live.
I have posted this plea on other forums but no one knows. Maybe the nation’s blog has a broader audience where someone may know why the northeast region is not up-to-date. Sorry correction I do not need to know why I need to know when the northeast sections will be up-to-date.
Thank you to all the nation bloggers and readers for any help in this question.

Do Not Forget Asian Bloggers

2008-06-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

Do Not Forget Asian Bloggers

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 618 , 10:30:07
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Do not forget about Asian Bloggers. For example, there are more blogger posts in Japanese than any other language in the world including English. This data comes from Technorati Inc. out of 113 million blogs last year 37% were posted in Japanese. Steve Weber an American author of marketing online books says that “Japanese are far more advanced in making their publications on-line available than Americans or the rest of the English speaking world”.
The blogging style of Japanese bloggers is different than English bloggers. A Japanese blogger tends to posts as exchanges between friends and a personal outlet. English bloggers tend to posts on Political, technological and other issues as a news source.
A star is born and her name is Mieko Kawakami. Mieko San won this year’s Akutagawa Award Japans most prestigious literary award for new writers. Mieko San’s blogs averages 10,000 readers per day and went to 200,000 readers the night of her receiving the award.
Mieko San’s secret to success is not to posts on topics of relationships with men and sexuality. Her posts are based on the idea of a Japanese woman always doing our best at living. She also uses the Osaka dialect that has become the hip hop slang of modern Japan. The Osaka dialect is widely popular with Japanese comedians much like the Issan dialect is popular with comedians in Thailand.

Asahi Breweries & The Vanishing Beergut

2008-06-21T22:33:00.000-07:00

Asahi Breweries & The Vanishing Beergut

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 242 , 09:17:35
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Imagine a world with no beer gut or spare tire around the middle. Asahi Breweries Ltd. May have an answer according to a survey I cannot withstand the hunger. Hunger was the top reason people gave for giving up on their diet 56% resulting in consuming more. Asahi has invented a soy protein that stays in the stomach longer giving the feeling of being full.
You can enjoy your favorite Asahi beer without the beer gut. OK maybe the soy protein has not been developed that far yet for breweries, but Asahi has already added the soy protein to some of its food products that will be in stores soon. Your favorite pub might be replacing the margarita salt with Asahi’s soy protein shaker. It could happen. I wonder what Saporo and Kirin are up to.

Asian English Language Newspapers Increasing Readership

2008-06-21T22:30:00.001-07:00

Asian English Language Newspapers Increasing Readership

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 263 , 11:34:57
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Last month the editors from the Japan Times, the Korean Herald and the Taipei Times got together to discuss “Challenges for English Language Newspapers in East Asia”, it was jointly organized with the University of Tokyo. Challenges that were addressed was the declining circulation of English Language Newspapers as the result of the internet and the differences in the types of news published between the local newspapers which tend to be more Nationalistic and the English Language Newspapers that brought a more international viewpoint while balancing that viewpoint with local viewpoints.
Two very interesting stories were discussed to illustrate this strategy the “Whaling issue in Japan” and the “Lone Star investment bank in Korea”. The whaling story has very little interest from the local Japanese newspapers believing that Australia is an outside interferer in Japan’s domestic preferences. The Japan Times had the unique opportunity to explain to the world Japanese views and World opinion that readers could not find in local newspapers.
The US private equity fund Lone Star Funds South Korea’s head of operations was found guilty of stock manipulation and the executive sent to prison for five years. Of course the foreign community argued it was bad for foreign investment and the local papers argued that typical of US business practices are short term gains and then pull those gains out of Korea and invest somewhere else. The Korean Herald was able to report both sides.
Asian English language newspapers by being able to provide both a local and global perspective increases readership globally, regionally, and locally. Increasing readership also brings in more advertising dollars. This has been accomplished by investing in and adapting new technologies.
On the political side Kaori Hayashi San moderator pointed out that often times Japanese politicians think that they are talking to just a Japanese audience and make statements that makes them look foolish in the world because they are not aware that their statements and actions are read globally. Thus Japanese politicians should be more aware of their global image. The world is watching. Global backlash can and does sometime end a politician’s career. Amber Chang pointed out that in Taiwan and Japan reporters are very friendly with politicians who in return are friendly toward the media and that politicians often times give their cell phone numbers to reporters contrasted with the US politicians that are wary of media and very aloof.
In this internet age English Language newspapers are adding more services through technology. They are extending their cooperative reach to other parts of Asia media and universities. The Korean Herald has 70% readership by local Korean readers. Learning English is the main interest and technology has given Asian readers services like stories in the newspaper are read aloud over the internet by native speakers so that English can be improved.
English Newspaper circulation may be small but readership is growing. It is building a bridge between the host country and regional Asian countries as well as the world. English is the common language for information exchange between countries. But the best mission statement was given by Amber Chang of the Taipei Times “ To bring Taiwan to the world and the world to Taiwan” only an English Language newspaper can accomplish this mission statement.
Cooperation is a main goal for Asian English Language Newspapers. In Thailand we are also curious and interested in the lives of our Asian regional neighbors and in their experiences and viewpoints. I look forward to more cooperation between Asian Language Newspapers. Readership in this environment is bound to increase.

Cross Cultural Communications an Asian Viewpoint

2008-06-21T22:24:00.000-07:00

Cross Cultural Communications An Asian Viewpoint

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 253 , 13:13:57
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Tawan Quote - (“Khun Ian that is because the falang blogger would take every word she wrote literally which is the big problem writing in English. What she wrote could mean many things you have to wait to see what comes out. ”).
Khun Ian Quote - (Tawan, that seems a very strange comment, it seems to imply that we should never believe literally anything that a Thai writes in English. I'm sure you did not mean that, can you explain further?”).
This was a very interesting conversation between me, Khun Ian, and Khun Windy. This is my attempt to explain our misunderstanding from a cross-cultural viewpoint. Since this is from a cross-cultural viewpoint all comments are welcome. This conversation was between 2 Thais and a Scottish any other cultures that want to join in, I would appreciate it very much.
The conversation……………
Khun Windy - (“I don't know how law making works here, but Thailand should have a constitution made by the people, not just a yes or no vote on the referendum.

And when a law needs to be changed, the people have to vote again on whether they want the law changed. They can't just go saying they want to amend the constitution and just write what ever they want.

really, why can Thai politicians get away with every little thing?”).
Khun Ian - Windy, do you not find it strange that you an educated reporter can yet say, "I don't know how law making works here".
Is this not one of the problems with Thailand?
I am sure that every Farang blogger here knows how laws are made in their home countries.
Please keep in mind that this is only my opinion from my experiences in cross-cultural communications. Thanks to all of my professors who have done extensive research in this field. I am not going to spend days google all the bits and pieces of research but instead rely on my memory.

When I read Khun Windy’s comment, I think very good story looking forward to hearing more. Asian conversation is filled with many feelers before a conclusion is made. It is not a one on one conversation. The fractural group’s reaction (credit to Khun Ian) must be considered first. In other words it is not based on an individual’s need for immediate information in order for the conversation to continue. Asian people before they say or write anything must consider the needs of the fractural group comes before the individual’s needs. This fractural group may include what will my boss think of this, what will my co-workers think of this, what will my company think of this, what will my parents think of this, what will my friends think of this, what will my spouse think of this, what will my country think of this, what will the person I am talking to think of this and so on and so on. Everything an Asian person says and does must first consider the group’s possible reaction and needs first not based on the individual’s immediate need for information. It is always a group conversation and a group decision and conclusion. This process takes longer to arrive to an understanding but it is necessary for group cohesion, productivity and harmony. In summary every conversation is a group conversation not an individual conversation. When you are talking to an Asian person you are in fact talking to many persons whether present or not.
This can be seen in everyday life in classrooms all over Asia where a Teacher is guiding students along a path as a group not as an individual an A-type personalities do no not function well in Asian society. Children in a Chinese classroom are taught that as a National group your favorite color is Yellow for the Great Yellow Han race. What there individual favorite color may be is reserved for the appropriate group. Therefore, there are many right answers to the same question. The Yin and Yang is often grey but never leads to conflict. Westerners too often read the Yin and Yang as black or white, right or wrong or truth and lie.
Another example would be Deming bringing his quality control circle to Japan, where it was immediately successful because it fit the Asian group cultural so well. If Deming had brought his quality control circle to Thailand today you would have Thailand Inc. instead of Japan Inc. Deming was a complete failure in America’s individual A- type personality culture.
Contrasted with an Individual culture’s need for exact immediate need for information exchange between two individuals in order to survive in society, there is no group to rely on every piece of information must be analyzed and logically concluded on an individual basis. A-type personalities thrive in this environment. This type of conversation is much focused going back and forth from point A to point B to point C and on and on until a linear logical conclusion is made.
Let me try to analyze the conversation in a linear logical manner.
“I don't know how law making works here, but Thailand should have a constitution made by the people, not just a yes or no vote on the referendum.”
Logical understanding this person does not understand law-making.” but Thailand should have a constitution made by the people, not just a yes or no vote on the referendum”. Since this person has no information about law-making the second statement is an illogical false statement.
A group culture understanding of the above statement would be yes we must study and discuss law-making more closely in order for us to have a Democratic constitution made by the people for the people.
“(And when a law needs to be changed, the people have to vote again on whether they want the law changed. They can't just go saying they want to amend the constitution and just write what ever they want.”)
Logically since statement A is false this statement must be false since it is a carry- on based on a false statement.
Group understanding more feelers put to the group on how to solve the problem of lawmakers writing anything that suits their interest.

“(really, why can Thai politicians get away with every little thing?”)
Logical interpretation - Conclusion statement conversation finished conclusion reached.
Group interpretation - a call for more discussion.
Khun Ian’s Quote response
(“Windy, do you not find it strange that you an educated reporter can yet say, "I don't know how law making works here".
Is this not one of the problems with Thailand?
I am sure that every Farang blogger here knows how laws are made in their home countries.”)
Logical conclusion and response is that since the first statement is true the remaining statement cannot be considered as true fact since they do not support the first statement, therefore, I must analyze where the logic broke down in order to help. The logic broke down based on an educated informed professional does not understand law-making since this is true I can carry the logic further by assuming others in Thailand must also not understand law-making also, therefore, the real problem is Thailand does not have people that understands law-making. The logical answer to this problem would be for Thailand to follow the western example of individuals understand law-making and are thus capable of governing the country.
Basically, an individual culture conversation goes like this the first thought is I need information let me ask you a question and your answer must be logical in order for me to accept you.
Basically, a group culture conversation goes like this the first thought is what can I say or do that will benefit the group this starts the information flow.
Well that is the best I can do from memory. I hope that even a little bit will be understood. My best advice is to sit in on a quality control group conversation both Western and Asian do not ask any questions just listen and you will see the difference.

Issan Regional Development

2008-06-21T22:21:00.000-07:00

Issan Regional Development

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 529 , 14:50:08
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The time for Issan Regional Development and planning has arrived. Once again the government needs to reevaluate our spending and budget resources. The majority of mega-project spending is still being spent on Bangkok resulting in a more congested lower quality of life in Bangkok. This goes against all major mega-center trends in Asia. Japan, China and Korea are investing in regional mega-centers that are decentralized resulting in higher standards of living and better quality of life for the nation.
Bangkok is already a mega-center more development will increase a lower quality of life through never ending traffic congestion and pollution. Bangkok already ranks in the top 40 mega-centers of the world. Tokyo is ranked number one.

Already, because of skewed investment favoring Bangkok, its economic output $USD 100 billion out of total $USD 208 billion of Thailand’s economic output. Thailand has a slightly better ranking of worldwide patents ranked 38 in the world so there is no shortage of talent in Thailand to accomplish the goal of regional development.
Japan’s number one rank of global patent activity spikes way above the rest of the world and as the number one investor in Thailand has extensive experience in developing regional mega-centers for Thailand to draw upon. Although, as the graph shows Japan’s rank among citing patent authors is not so high it is mainly due to more papers are produced in Japanese language and thus not cited worldwide a huge loss to the world’s scientific research.

China also is following the global trend of regional mega-center development. China is in the middle of its regional mega-center development with most development along the eastern coast Beijing, Nanjing, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai but China has at least begun its regional development.

At the moment Thailand’s regional development of the Northeastern, North, Central and Southern regions could more closely resemble Korea’s development plans and needs. Korea will be moving 49 government institutions, 12 ministries, 4 Agencies and 2 administrative bodies to the new city of Sejong.
The relocation is critical to encourage decentralized provincial development to relieve congestion in the Capitol area to achieve balanced regional development with decentralization being the focus. Korea has long been developing the Seoul area resulting in severe housing shortage, traffic jams and environmental damage. Seoul will be reborn as the center knowledge base city giving its citizens a better quality of life.
This trend is not only in Asia but also in Europe and the US. Income disparity will continue unless a nation decentralizes economic development. We can learn hard lessons from the US rustbelt experience. Higher standards of living was achieved when GM ruled the world, a drastic reduction in living standards happened when GM fell from the largest US employer and gave rise to the new largest US employer Wal Mart. As anyone can tell you in the rustbelt there is no future in a Wal Mart dominated economic model. Issan’s great leap from agriculture to the industrial age came by the kindness of Bangkok’s vision of OTOP (One Product One Tambon). As anyone can tell you that an industrial age dominated by OTOP is not going to decrease income disparity. It only increase brain drain to America.

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comment 15
Tawan date : 03/04/2008 time : 18.28
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/tawan3
ip : 124.157.229.109

Trade between China and the upland Southeast Asian countries Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam had risen impressively, to US$53 billion last year from slightly more than US$1 billion a decade ago.
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comment 14
Tawan date : 03/04/2008 time : 09.51
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/tawan3
ip : 124.157.228.9

Ohiyo gozaimasu wch San. KK University is excellent sourse and the Thai forums very active on shopping trends. We also have good news this week on quality of life improvement in the DA's Office.
________________________________________

comment 13
wch date : 03/04/2008 time : 09.25
ip : 192.168.0.122/58.8.70.185

Tawan,
I believe you have profound understanding about Udon and its human strata and the culture.

I believe a regional development must have good coordination with external interest.
Therefore knowing them will be important.
Some people of China, Hongkong, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan may be interested in Udon and Isan culture, that brew any form of investment.

Therefore, Udon province can plan advertisement system in those potential countries and receive them to guide.

Personally I may inform you that a certain amount of study reports about Isan may be available from Khonkaen University and in there is Mekhong Basin Commission office also stocks some data.

PhD degree would be open in the university too in this academic area.
Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and China
________________________________________

comment 12
Tawan date : 02/04/2008 time : 14.00
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/tawan3
ip : 124.157.228.237

Wch San You have the same observations that I do.
First some background, I have only been researching at the macro-level for the past 6 months on Issan development in particular Udon Thani. Does not matter which language you search by only a macro-trend study can be performed by internet. Detailed micros not reach there yet for mega-project management time analysis. I have not found a subject or project that has not been studied or is currently in progress. It is like being a kid in a candy store.
First reason, Thailand has fallen behind in e-government development after making considerable gains before the political instability. Recently open source software development has been given the green light again from Bangkok as shown by Udon Thani chosen as being the first in Thailand outside Bangkok to distribute the new International License and also providing IT and software support to Laos. Outside influencing factors that has made this possible comes from Laos, Vietnam and Yunan. Because of Udon Thani’s unique location serves as a natural International-Hub connecting these three countries. Cross-border trade between these three countries and Thailand must be conducted by passing through Udon Thani or Issan.
Historically, Udon Thani’s development first wave came from the Vietnam War boom and the resulting Air Force base in Udon Thani and future close relationship with Vietnam came as Udon helped to hide Ho Chi Minh in Udon from the Americans building a trusting relationship that is beneficial today. Immigration control of Lao people and Vietnamese during this time allowed them to travel only as far as Udon Thani this growth stop after the war. Immigration control contributed to the Vietnamese developing the local food and clothing business as disposable income was zero after the war. The Vietnamese concentrated on the basic Maslow Hierarchy of Needs in providing food and clothing and Thais providing Shelter. This continued from the 1970’s to 2005 the second wave of development. This period allowed Lao people and Vietnamese to marry and become landowners and with capital built up over the years from food, shelter and clothing allowed the Vietnamese to eventually to send their children to Bangkok to become Chinese Thai. Now their children are coming back to Udon Thani to act as liaison for business ventures and tourism between Vietnam and Thailand. This is the third wave of development.
Third wave of development from Bangkok main reason of course is economic opportunity and also lack of opportunity in Bangkok which after decades of adhoc, retrofitting a never ending sprawl of growth similar to Houston Texas has never defined a clear goal and mission statement for the City of Bangkok. Unlike other regional-mega centers like Seoul Korea that has defined its mission statement as the knowledge base and cultural center of Korea and is moving all other sectors out to their regional-mega centers for a more balance economic growth.
Around 2000 it was recognized the potential of Udon Thani natural position as an International-Hub. Infrastructure connecting Udon Thani to Vientiane, Dadang Vietnam and Kunming Yunan is finished. Although, the Udon Thani International Airport lost Tiger Air, the Governor is working to reestablish and expand. During this time Australian and Chinese investment in Gold and other mining and hydro-electric power has made the economic growth from Laos possible. Udon Thani. The city collects fees and 7% VAT from 160,000 Lao people shopping in Udon Thani every month. There are endless trucks carrying goods across the border in Nong Khai. It is estimated over the next 5 years that with only a population of 6 million people in Laos money from mining operations in Laos will continue to contribute to a higher disposable income for a larger portion of the population and with Immigration control still in place a large portion will be spent in Udon Thani. Local Udon Thani businessmen working in Laos describe it at the moment as the Wild West where anything is possible, never-the-less Lao people will soon have economic power and Bangkok will have to look elsewhere perhaps Myanmar for their maids.
Growth from the International-Hub will continue as overseas investment in Vietnam grows and the high demand for Chinese products continue from Yunan helped a lot by the convenience of the annual Chinese Trade Fair in Kunming and already well established Indo-China markets..
Quality of life over Bangkok has contributed to over 30,000 Westerners moving to Udon Thani to escape the sex tourist. This group contributes economically especially in the retail sector. This group are family orientated, highly educated, internationally experience and diverse with a middle class disposable income. Not to mention the ease of having several meeting per day and accomplishing several task per day as opposed to completing one meeting per day in the Bangkok sprawl.
This international diversity is contributing to major private investment in Udon Thani in addition to government funding that is now flowing with political stability. This international diversity is attracting major mega-projects from private investment which both private and government funding is required to develop a mega-regional center.
Korat, Koen Kaen continues to attract retail investment from the Central group. Udon Thani attracts mega-project investment from the Central Group with its Central shopping, Hotel, entertainment and Convention Center downtown Udon Thani. This is a mega-project downtown private investment including UD Center when finished will be the size of Ramkumhaeng district in Bangkok. Ring Road development is for 5-Star Hotels which are in high demand to serve tourist from Bangkok, Laos, and Vietnam and to some degree China. Hyper-Market Chains such as the new Index living Mall (Grand Opening Ceremony attended by I Weir my favorite Issan Idol) the largest in Asia, Global, Home Pro and Lotus.
This area also is attracting logistics, transportation, cold storage Warehousing. Plenty of Rai available for the Retail, Hotel and Logistics private investment as opposed to Koen Kaen limited area. KK major development is the University. This has been a major disadvantage to Udon Thani in the past. The new 2000 Rai development extension of Udon’s Rajaphat University will serve the needs of private investors in the agricultural, logistics, transportation and communication needs of current and future investors.
Private investment in Issan will depend a lot on the restructuring of SET as a regional stock exchange to allow investors to raise capital issuing IPO’s since most have recovered from hard currency based loans. Local financial instruments are being developed and introduces by BOT but caution in the credit markets will slow down implementation throughout 2008.
Mine development problems with bidding process have included picking lowest bidder with no experience or financial resources to guarantee environmental safety the main concern from student protestors. The Canadian firm would result in an environmental disaster due to their lack of experience and financial resources. Value added bids from the Japanese or Australians which have a proven track record in safety should be more highly valued than the lowest bidder. There is no such highest quality at lowest price only result in inferior results.
Agriculture development the actual producers being small rai producers need more investment in local storage to better serve supply and demand and to protect future contracts through local nearby coops to develop economies of scale. This will provide stability. Also further work is being done to connect actual local producer coops with the actual importer eliminating middlemen on a product that already suffers from low margins.
Traffic studies in retail the best resource is the project prospectus from major retailers and given to their trade partners are easy to get. They also go beyond the usual macro analysis and have very detailed localized marketing data gathered by a lot of leg work in the local market. One word of caution when using these studies be very careful in reading short term and long term future analysis assumptions that the data is tied to. If the future assumptions prove to be incorrect by unforeseen outside events it will be a very bad investment as seen in such projects as Future Island in Minburi Bangkok.
With the macro being said, the micro is a different story which requires a lot of leg work among the private sector. The private sector has detail studies made on any project on any sector. The private sector knows information is gold and does not share information. E-Government research studies including University research clings to intellectual property rights protection including International Agencies.
Contraire to the opinion of many Bangkok PhD’s opinion that rural Thais are ignorant, I have not found this to be the case. Regional leaders are much better prepared with local knowledge that Bangkok does not have and also posses regional and international knowledge Issan’s exported workforce also updates people at the grassroots level of international trends.
Every International Agency, Government Body and Private Bodies in Thailand has on-going up-to-date detailed sector project analysis. Your access to the micro-level depends on narrowing down to one sector or project you are interested in and then a lot of leg work the information is there.
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comment 11
wch date : 02/04/2008 time : 08.55
ip : 192.168.0.122/58.8.75.148

Tawan,
This doesn't mean discouraging your brainchild - "Udon Transportation Hub" but I like to add some fundamental questions to be it, to investigate further.

1. To survey the traffic incoming and outgoing, and for what the people come and go from to Udon.
2. To survey what kind of future activities will enhance the traffic.
3. What can Udon offer incoming people.
4. What economic activities are suitable to Udon,
5. What are the supporting HUB's to intertwine Udon Hub.

In my past experience about Udon, the biggest mistake was the refusal of Somboon potash mine development, and further coal and gas exploration.
Mineral industry can motivate its traffic hub of industry, retail, tourism and international relations.

Agro-related industry and its service industries are very much potential in Udon, and Nhong Kai through air, road and river, say" Udon Nhongkai special economic zone" that makes up or contend the Vientiene industrial zone and further the southern China.

Especially chemical fertilizer industry is one of pivotal industry to the region and neighboring countries. For instance, Ammonia can be developed in the region, or imported via future pipeline from Thai natural gas center of Rayong or Nam phong, Khonkaen or potential wells.
Potash is running short globally (Russia and Canada). Udon is undoubtedly important east Asian potentials to feed China, Asean.

In the region, an international airport is needed, and is Udon better than Khonkaen ?.
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comment 10
Tawan date : 01/04/2008 time : 13.29
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/tawan3
ip : 124.157.228.237

Artist drawing UD Centre Udon Thani
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comment 9
Tawan date : 01/04/2008 time : 13.13
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/tawan3
ip : 124.157.228.237

Udon Thani's retail sector is highly developed.
Private investments such as UD Center and Central Group new expansion.
Growth as a hub also brings in revenue as seen by the 160,000 visitors from Laos per month.
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comment 8
Tawan date : 01/04/2008 time : 13.07
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/tawan3
ip : 124.157.228.237

The railroad linkage had an interesting article on the decision to keep the narrow tracks or wider tracks for higher speed trains.
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comment 7
Tawan date : 31/03/2008 time : 15.30
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/tawan3
ip : 124.157.229.61

Subway station stops in Tokyo has scalable living built within a few minutes of walking Department Stores, Housing, Shops, Entertainment and Schools.
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comment 6
Tawan date : 31/03/2008 time : 15.16
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/tawan3
ip : 124.157.229.61

Quote - A major factor is a good public transport concept that grows with the city and is scalable - not retrofitting at maximum cost as has been the case with Bangkok.

Scalable is the key word like in Tokyo the city must be built around the transportation infrastructure, Retrofitting the case in Bangkok does not have to be done in Issan.

Udon Thani has just agian received the Award for best infrastructure planning and implementation. PM Samak was just here this weekend on his way to Laos. Do not know if had any discusion on Udon Thani's transportation Hub needs.
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comment 5
wch date : 31/03/2008 time : 10.56
ip : 192.168.0.113/58.8.72.73

This subject reminds me of my past forum about Bangkok metro traffic system and its linkage to Isan.

The routings of various lines, red, purple, yellow --- must be planned in concept of 'Dispersion of urban saturation" and "Linkage with 4 regions for the integrity of economy, culture and to provide broad living radius of urban and rural people".

Bangkok is not the isolated island but closely related to the regions, especially to Esan highland.
Without Isan's economic population, virtually Bangkok operation is stopped.
12 million Isan people are always on road, Then, it is more than clear what the government must do.

Bangkok metro system, planned is 'INWARD" system, that cultivates more isolation of Bangkok people, promotes more discrimination among regions.

One fast double train line or if possible, a BULLET train must run into Isan region deeply. If Bangkok metro line is rationalized, they can lay a line at least to the junction of Saraburi, from where the Korat, and direct Khonkaen line can be laid.

If "one day round travel" is possible between Khonkaen and Bangkok, Isan will be quickly developed.

Only education in long term, and the fast transportation (redistribution of wealth) in short term, can errode the stone-hard poverty.

Japan did same, "One day round travel between Tokyo- Osaka". Korea did same between Seoul to Busan via many double autobans and bullet trains
(Korea is TGV ?).

Both got rid of the hardcore, rural regions themselves, as many blamed the wealth gab between the rural and the urban.

Remove the rural region out of map, then all problem will be gone at once.
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comment 4
MaxHeadroom date : 31/03/2008 time : 10.27
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/maxheadroom
ip : 10.138.1.245/202.12.97.111

Decentralization is almost a must but has to lead away from Bangkok Metropolis AND adjacent industrial zones (Samut Prakarn, Eastern Seaboard, Ayutthaya) as they all contribute to the infrastructure being overwhelmed.

Much budget is needed to develop infrastructure for fast growing cities in Isan like Khon Kaen or Korat. Isan is quickly urbanizing and mistakes made in urban development in the past in Bangkok and surrounding provinces should not be repeated there.

Imagine in a few years cities like Khon Kaen will have over a million people actually living within Muang district.

A major factor is a good public transport concept that grows with the city and is scalable - not retrofitting at maximum cost as has been the case with Bangkok.

Technically, in Isan we won't get these huge funds like BKK - so we will have to do better than Bangkok with much less money.

First corridors have to be linked by high-performance railway links like between Korat - Khon Kaen, Udon Thani.

The later also serve cargo transports.
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comment 3
Tawan date : 31/03/2008 time : 07.36
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/tawan3
ip : 124.157.228.56

Thank you for your help PasaNINJA
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comment 2
PasaNINJA2499 date : 31/03/2008 time : 00.08
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/PasaNINJA2499
Keep walking forward. Don't give up. Don't fed up.
ip : 124.120.219.182

your vision over Isaan and economy sounds nice.^^ development needs money and knowledge as well. local and thier intellectual shoud be seriously praised and and practically distributed.

p.s.Tanwan, picture uploaded to the Nation weblog should not be larger than 60 KBs, about 40-5o is fitted
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comment 1
Tawan date : 30/03/2008 time : 20.04
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/tawan3
ip : 124.157.228.56

I apologize some graphs got cut off. I am still having page formate problems with graphs, pictures and video.

Japanese Anime

2008-06-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

Japanese Anime

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 222 , 17:39:53
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The Tokyo International Anime Fair 2008 opened yesterday and runs for two days. It is being held at Tokyo Big Sight. Japanese anime is truly a global phenomenon. This year a record 79 foreign companies from all over the world participated in the Fair.
Thailand was also represented at the fair. 3-D anime companies from around the world are also looking at entering the lucrative Japanese anime market. Although 3-D anime has strong competition from Korea, France and the US, Japanese story telling is the best. Foreign anime companies come to the show to learn the Japanese market.

Kyoko Fukada will play the villainous Doronjo in Takashi Miike’s film adaptation of the popular anime Yatterman.

Thailand's True Heroes

2008-06-21T22:14:00.000-07:00

Thailand's True Heroes

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 968 , 18:20:48
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Although, this is not a new story just a reminder to everyone to continue to support the Fairtrade Certification a non-profit organization that ensures Fairtrade Minimum Price guarantees reaches our rice farmers. Thai rice farmers are gaining independence as a result of this program. Please buy only Fairtrade Certified products whenever you can.

You could not tell from the pictures but these Issan farmers are true international trade heroes. They do not wear a suit and tie and or not CFO’s. But they have on their own taken the initiative and became certified as Fairtrade Certified Producers. Their rice is found in supermarkets around the world.
Below is a list of Fairtrade Certified Producers in Thailand.

Fairtrade Certified Producers results can be seen below in Coffee Prices.

Thailand’s rice farmer is not only Thailand’s true heroes. Their business plan is as good as any Fortune 500 Global Company. I quote -
“The money from the Fairtrade Premium is used to support various educational, cultural and environmental projects in the area, such as planting trees in the community forest. During weekends, children help out in the planting and learn about environmental issues and how to care for the environment. The forest in turn benefits the community by providing, for example, wood and fruit.
Another big achievement of the Rice Fund Surin cooperative was to reduce its dependency on rice as the only crop. The cooperative is using the Fairtrade Premium to create a fund for its members to buy seeds in order to allow the cooperative to grow other crops besides rice. By doing so, the cooperative can diversify its income during the year and no longer depends on the harvest of one crop, creating more security and stability for the cooperative. “
I do not know if they were invited to the United Nations Climate Change talks in Bangkok, but they should have. You can learn a lot from an Issan farmer if given a chance.

Jingle Mail

2008-06-21T22:09:00.000-07:00

Jingle Mail

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 197 , 18:46:36
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Thailand has so many problems facing a global economic slowdown. Consider a falling US dollar long-term Baht appreciation affecting key exports in electronics. Khun Tarisa and PM Samak’s brainstorming ideas to grow Thailand’s economy, balancing monetary and fiscal policy in an inflationary period, convincing investors to invest in Thailand amidst growing risk aversion, drying up of liquidity and credit markets, while at the same time, analyzing shock risk assessments and contingency plans in the global financial and trade sectors worsening environment.

But as always people believe it is always greener on the other side of the fence. Let us suppose we were on the other side of the fence, all we would have to worry about is “Jingle Mail”.

Jingle mail is homeowners that decide to walk away from their house and mail the keys back. Instead of fighting to make mortgage payments, for the first time since the 1930’s depression, they walk away. Historically lenders knew that no matter what people would pay their mortgage first, before going to the doctors, before paying credit card bills, not hiring a baby sitter, not going on vacation, not saving for college, not saving for retirement, eating microwave dinners, working two jobs mother and father leaving the kids with two fathers instead of the traditional one wage earner of father and mother. In other words lenders knew that nothing came before making a 30 year mortgage payment that is until 2005 arrived. All of this was done to save the American dream of owning a house.

What are the consequences of “Jingle Mail”? Well it is kind of different in an advanced economy. You can forget about the worries of lending your High School friend 10,000 baht and wonder if she will ever pay it back or not.

In an advanced economy these are the consequences.

It is called a consumer credit report. Miss one payment and 100 points are shaved off of your credit score. Miss three payments and 300 points are shaved off and the bank forecloses on your house and reports it to the credit bureaus. The next seven years you have bad credit. This means it affects any other credit you may have such as credit cards that may be cancelled or raising of interest rates. Your car insurance rates go up or any other insurance you may have goes up, you may not buy or rent a house and you may lose your job. Every financial transaction that you make is kept in databases that employers, schools, companies etc all have access to and follows you wherever you go so starting over somewhere is not an option. The results are for the next seven years you may be homeless and unemployed in a recession.

Popular opinion is that these are all sub-prime homeowners that never should be allowed to own a home in the first place. The American dream of a bank owing your home for 30 years should be reserved for citizens of the middle class or higher.

However, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke recently,” estimated that about 45% of foreclosures in 2007 were on private, near-prime or government-backed mortgages. And that means plenty of people who thought they were fine are facing catastrophe, never expecting that their homes would be worth less than the purchase price”. Beyond the help that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is offering in opening up the Federal Reserve‘s overnight window to Wall Street to stop systemic risk of the global financial system. We here in Thailand are very grateful for this as we do not want a systemic meltdown either. Private help is available for homeowners in the US. In California, “youwalkaway charges homeowners $995 to guide them through the process. ("If you are walking away from more than one property, the second property is half price," the company's Web site says.)
YouWalkAway has sold its advice to about 1,000 customers and has opened operations in 11 other states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon and Washington”

.

Before you start thinking that sub-prime homeowners are just owners of crack houses and do not deserve help read a typical “Jingle Mail” customer’s story. “It was a far different tale three years ago. The Tampa resident, her husband and two children moved into a $400,000 three-bedroom home. It had a pool and faced the beach. The couple thought they could afford the $2,100 monthly mortgage payment on their $160,000 income. It sounded like a good deal. There was no down payment, and they paid $9,000 for closing costs.
Then life for Linda and her family suddenly turned sour.
The bank notified them that their monthly payment had been miscalculated, that taxes and insurance for two years should have been included. To fix its mistake, the bank increased Linda's monthly payment to $5,000 a month to get what was owed. And the family moved out of the house before the bank began to foreclose. "I left the keys in the door, hanging in the door," Linda said.”

This brings us back to the starting point of the current crisis that started in housing. I know that April is a very busy month for everyone the IMF included that has released thousands of pages of analysis including the WEO World Economic Outlook Report that has our government leaders in Thailand working overtime. MAD (Mutual Assured Dependence) has all of us connected to the problem in the world. But in all the pages I did not find anything to fix the homeowners problem. Even watching Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke well rehearsed but nervous responses in front of Congress open door session. One Senator kept asking the same question that never got an answer over and over again as a whole does not homeowners as a group hold the same systemic risk as Bear Stearnes did?

I kept wanting to ask why not open the Federal Reserve’s Overnight Window to individual homeowners also not just Wall Street? It would give the Feds something to do since they were sleeping on the job in the first place and did not even know Bear Stearns was going under until the night before and had to hire outside help to study the books.

I will wait for my answer.

Food Prices in Thailand

2008-06-21T22:07:00.000-07:00

Food Prices in Thailand

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 546 , 11:02:46
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The World Bank has recently released a food policy implementation report for countries like Thailand a net producer to study. In order to effectively implement public policy, it is vital that policies implemented from the top government ministries to be effectively communicated to the grassroots level. Although Thailand has been decentralizing government functions for the past 20 years and especially since the Decentralization Act of 1999, Thailand continues to receive failing grades on IMF’s request on local data sources expansion in local government unit’s information ability in gathering detail statistics and public information time lags of up to 18 months and 2 – 3 years data gathering time lags. This result in poor policy formation and slow policy implementation and in times of volatility it produces reactionary policies instead of well thought out contingency plans based on stress test and risk management. After 20 years of using time as an excuse for not being ready is wearing quite thin.

What should be taken seriously in the World Bank Report is that recent food price increases and inflation is not a short-term trend it is a long-term trend. Food price volatility has increased as investors’ use the futures market not for hedging anymore but also for speculation has seen in oil prices given the decline of equity markets worldwide.

Data from the World Bank shows: “The rising trend in international food prices continued, and even accelerated, in 2008. U.S. wheat export prices rose from $375/ton in January to $440/ton in March, and Thai rice export prices increased from $365/ton to $562/ton. This came on top of a 181 percent increase in global wheat prices over the 36 months leading up to February 2008, and a 83 percent increase in overall global food prices over the same period (see Figure 1).”

This long-term trend in food price inflation also has been due to a lack of agencies and governments to become lax during times of stability and falling prices. “In 1980, 30 percent of annual World Bank lending went to agricultural projects, but this declined to 12 percent in 2007. The overall proportion of all Official Development Assistance going to agriculture is currently only 4 percent. Falling and stable world real cereal prices in the 1980s and 1990s contributed to a sense of complacency with respect to agricultural issues in developing countries.” Governments must make agricultural a priority investment.
Current higher food prices give governments and private sector incentives to make agriculture a priority investment. The World Bank has stated “Higher grain prices can also help to reverse a generally declining trend in government, private sector and donor investment in the agricultural sector. Agricultural producers such as Brazil, Malaysia and Thailand have made significant progress in agricultural commercialization in recent years, and have increasingly undertaken investments in research and extension necessary to promote increased agricultural productivity and reduced agricultural risk.” Given current newspaper reports of Thai citizens complaining of higher rice prices despite Thailand’s significant progress in agricultural commercialization is not being communicated well enough. Example, of recent Thai government debt restructuring to farmers is still seen by many as handouts. Public Relations campaigns by the Thai Government will also stimulate domestic demand while informing the citizen sector of policy benefits and drawbacks increases transparency and accountability. Thai Bureaucracy and Politicians having nothing to fear from in an increasing informed public. The continuing tendency to describe policies as one-liners “eat chicken not pork” demeans public intelligence.
The World Bank itself is working on first increase investment in agricultural as stated above. Second to inform global and national debate on climate change and the use of bio-fuels that is tied closely with food inflation. Benefits and tradeoffs of bio-fuel in a nation’s energy policy are as follows from the World Bank.

“Concerns over increasing energy use, climate change, and carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels make switching to low-carbon fuels a high policy priority at both the global and country levels. Bio-fuels are a potential low-carbon energy source, although whether bio-fuels offer carbon savings depends on how they are produced. [1] Second-generation bio-fuels produced from waste products, in particular, can avoid land use change and some of the emissions associated with current bio-fuel programs, and may hence offer significant environmental and social benefits.
These benefits, however, have to be weighed against the potential costs of rising food prices. According to a recent IFPRI study, most scenarios of increased use of bio-fuels imply substantial trade-offs with food prices. [2] These trade-offs are dampened, although not eliminated, when technological advances in bio-fuel and crop production are considered. Trade-offs between energy security, climate change and food security objectives need to be carefully monitored and integrated into both food and bio-fuel policy actions.” An example of these trade-offs is “Converting rainforests, peat lands, savannas, or grasslands to produce food-based bio-fuels in Brazil, Southeast Asia, and the United States creates a ‘bio-fuel carbon debt’ by releasing 17 to 420 times more (CO2) than the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions these bio-fuels provide by displacing fossil fuels.
[1] IFPRI, IMPACT results (2006).”

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Web 3.0 vs Web 2.0

2008-06-20T21:47:00.000-07:00

Web 3.0 vs Web 2.0

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 223 , 11:28:58
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Will the web (expert content) 3.0 be the end of (populist amateur bloggers) web2.0?
Plug in a search into Google and thousands if not millions of results come back giving you no idea which content has been verified Wikipedia is a good example of amateur content that may not be true. The populist version of the web has grown tremendously.

Now enter the same search into Mahalo that will replace Google’s popularity page ranking and the results will come back as the Mahalo top 7 written by experts in that field.

Does that mean my amateur blogging is going to be extinct?
Is as the experts say the world is too dangerous for wrong information and experts should take back the web?

Two Thailands Two Americas

2008-06-20T21:42:00.000-07:00

Two Thailands Two Americas

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 257 , 14:10:23
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Do politicians use the same rhetoric and messages to woo voters around the world? Do they talk about the same problems? I would like to use some quotes from an Associated Press story on MSN’s websites. It seems all too familiar to me. This story is about the Democratic Party Candidate Senator Edwards dropping out of the Primary race.

Quote, “Edwards burst out of the starting gate with a flurry of progressive policy ideas — he was the first to offer a plan for universal health care, the first to call on Congress to pull funding for the war, and he led the charge that lobbyists have too much power in Washington and need to be reigned in.”

Does this sound familiar? Will the universal health care cost 30 Baht? Since Senator Edwards is a lawyer which economic technocrat’s business plan can actually make universal health care affordable? Pulling funding for the war in Iraq. Is funding an answer to help Thailand’s civil unrest in the south? Lobbyist have too much power in Washington and Bangkok. Is this business and politics as usual? It sounds like the problems and the messages are all the same.

Quote, “Even as Obama and Clinton collected astonishing amounts of money that dwarfed his fundraising effort,
Edwards said that on his way to make his campaign-ending statement, he drove by a highway underpass where several homeless people live. He stopped to talk, he said, and as he was leaving, one of them asked him never to forget them and their plight.
“Well I say to her and I say to all those who are struggling in this country, we will never forget you. We will fight for you. We will stand up for you,” he said, pledging to continue his campaign-long effort to end what he frequently said was “two Americas,” one for the powerful, the other for the rest. “

Unfortunately, the AP story did not mention the details of Senator Edwards’s conversation with the homeless people under the bridge. When you say I will fight for you and never forget you. I am assuming the Senator is talking about the 25% of the people living below the U.S. poverty line. Since the details of the conversation is lacking, I can imagine my own scenario. My question would be how can I take one bottle of whiskey and leverage that into 100,000 bottles of whiskey in Senator Edwards’s secret hedge fund and still get a $400,000 consulting bonus. Or how can I take my card board box and leverage that to about 4,000,000 card board boxes. I am just trying to work with the resources I have under the bridge. These are the details I would like to hear from politicians the world over. These are the detail answers I would like to hear from politicians in both countries and then I would start believing the rhetoric.

Quote, “John Edwards ended his campaign today in the same way he started it — by standing with the people who are too often left behind and nearly always left out of our national debate,” Clinton said.
Quote, “Obama, too, praised Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth. At a rally in Denver, he said the couple has “always believed deeply that two Americans can become one, and that our country can rally around this common purpose,” Obama said. “So while his campaign may have ended, this cause lives on for all of us who still believe that we can achieve that dream of one America.”

Senator Obama and Senator Clinton both agree yes, there are two Americas and yes, there are also two Thailands. Senator Obama and Senator Clinton can continue their campaigns because they have collected astonishing amounts of money that dwarfed Senator Edwards’s fundraising. Sounds familiar to me here in Thailand also.

Quote, “As expected, Edwards said he was suspending his campaign rather than ending it, but aides said that was simply legal terminology so that he can continue to receive federal matching funds for his campaign donations.”
Last but not least is the Master of all words. Suspending his campaign instead of ending it, simply legal terminology so that he can continue receiving federal matching funds. Simple legal terminology does not include the people under the bridge but the other America only for the powerful to stay legally and morally clean.

Tea Money & Corruption

2008-06-20T21:34:00.000-07:00

Tea Money & Corruption

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 217 , 17:58:19
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With so many blogs on corruption, I want to give it a try.

Tea money is an optional service bonus. Unfortunately, it is still viewed in the West as corruption. As everyone knows in Thailand salaries both government and private are a mathematical impossibility to live on much less raising a family especially in a Global economy where commodity prices increase on a daily basis, oil for example, that no longer follows the law of supply and demand but prices are determined by speculators in the commodities futures market. So the Asian example of tea money is a democratic method of increasing tax free disposable income that is open to all citizens and even foreigners what could be more democratic than that.
A simple example, to get a much needed document a foreigner expecting to receive service at a fraction of the cost compared to a western country is free to pay or stand in line for several days just like everyone else or pays tea money and is in and out in 5 minutes. Paying customers are always serviced first basic business sense.

Another Asian example, a rookie policeman salary 4,500 baht stops a driver and smells alcohol on the driver’s breath. Option one you can go to jail and then through the legal process. Option two you can pay for the policeman’s children lunch and go home.

Westerners seems to be the most upset with tea money even though they may receive benefits from it maybe because tea money has long disappeared in their society given their income levels. As long as there is global income disparity, Asian tea money countries that offer services at Wal Mart prices whether it is a government employee police officer’s 4,500 baht monthly salary or private employee university Accountant graduate with a monthly salary of 7,000 baht “Always Low Prices” will always be in demand.

In a society with no tea money option, the city of Seattle for example, a rookie policeman with a salary of $45,000 US dollars per year will put you in Jail. The legal process can be lengthy and expensive to pay for the legal infrastructure and the government’s huge payroll being America’s number one employer. A DUI Driving under the influence will cost about $7,500 US dollars from a cheap lawyer which may include Jail time or picking up trash on the side of the road and losing the right to drive at least doubling of your auto insurance and possibly losing your job depending on past offenses because information is kept in database forever and ever. The chances of the above happening are pretty certain if you can not afford a lawyer and a public defender is assigned your case. Since there is no corruption in Seattle and if you are someone with money you have the undemocratic option of legalized corruption. In this case you can hire the best lawyer who will prescreen and profile the jury members to make certain you are found innocent a very expensive option but legalized corruption is very expensive in a western country ruled by law.
Now if the policeman’s salary in Seattle was 4,500 baht per month as in an Asian country he might be tempted for tea money who knows. But that would destroy the benefits and the infrastructure of having legalized corruption.

Several years ago a very successful legalized corruption example involving the financial industry came to be born. The banking industry needed to improve its bottom line. Writing checks at that time in America was very popular because of float time you could write a check and have several days to cover the check with a deposit by the time the check cleared the system. So the banking industry hired lobbyist in Washington for EDP Electronic Deposit Processing. With this new law all the bank needed was a scan image of the check and the funds would be debit immediately creating millions of dollars in bounce check fees without even going to the bank the image of the check could be scan as soon as it was written. The banks also still held deposits made for several days before crediting the account increasing even more the chances of a check bouncing and the banks made millions of course legally.

It is important for corrupt Asian countries to notice the difference and procedures required. The US Banks did not implement the EDP system first that would have been classified as corruption they first made the system legal by using lobbyist to get politicians to pass legislation first. So if corrupt Asian countries want to join the world ranks of corrupt legalized nations make sure the legislation is done first. If done carefully corruption charges can never be filed because any act is first legalized,
How much progress has emerging corrupt Asian governments made so far in becoming legalized corrupt developed countries? The progress can be seen in up and coming high profile cases in the judiciary system.

Senator Obama Not Guilty

2008-06-20T21:26:00.000-07:00

Senator Obama Not Guilty

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 240 , 10:37:28
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Senator Obama is not guilty by association nor is Senator Clinton. Do not lose sight of the main message United we stand divided we fall.

I have been guilty of ranting about past injustices. It makes you feel good for a short time but it is a selfish act and if continues destroys the future. Every country and every people have been guilty of past injustices. We can not live in the past and must be united for our future. Today is what is important not yesterday and the message today is America has a woman Senator Clinton running for president despite all the struggles and hardship that women have faced in the past for the first time in history America may elect a woman president. Even if you do not agree with Senator Clinton’s policies the very fact that she can run for president is proof America is a great country. The same can be said about Senator Obama a black man whose people came to America as slaves hopefully will be America’s next president and will lead America to new heights. This is the message it is not where America was it is where America stands today going into the future united as a country. Senator Obama a black man and Senator Clinton a woman and Senator McCain a white man all great leaders for America’s future not America’s past.

Even Mr. Wright who has spent a lifetime preaching love for his religion 99% of his sermons are based on love. Below is a quotation of 1% of his sermons ranting about past historical injustices. Most of us are the same we spend 99% of our lives doing the right thing but sometimes people only remember the 1% of the time that we have failed. We are human we all make mistakes. Mr. Wright is human also he is not Jesus or God. Do not judge Senator Obama by Mr. Wright’s human weaknesses.

“A videotape of one sermon captures Wright using a harsh racial epithet to argue that Clinton could not understand the struggles of African Americans. “
“Barack knows what it means, living in a country and a culture that is controlled by rich white people,” Wright said on Christmas Day of last year. “Hillary can never know that. Hillary ain’t never been called a [N-word]!”

“In another sermon, delivered five days after the 9/11 attacks, Wright seems to imply that the United States had brought the terrorist violence on itself. “
“We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York, and we never batted an eye,” Wright says. “We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is brought right back in our own front yards.”

In Thailand we are the same there are many past injustices. Thais need to stop acting like children fighting on the playground. We need to pull ourselves together for our future. Thais are intelligent people also use that intelligence and not let us be divided by region just as in America United we stand divided we fall.

Question about Samak's Government Financing Mega-Projects

2008-06-20T21:23:00.000-07:00

Question about Samak's Government financing mega-projects

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 251 , 14:49:46
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I have a question about the financing of the Samak’s Government 500 Billion Baht mega-projects. The news reports that foreign participation is required to finance the mega-projects and thus the Finance Minister Dr. Surapong needs the capital controls to be lifted.

My question is what does foreign participation mean and how is it financed?
Surely, the financing of the mega-projects does not mean the traditional raising of taxes to pay for the municipal bond debt or will the return on investment in the infrastructure be enough without raising taxes?

Does foreign participation mean loans from the IMF or World Bank? Exactly who will provide the loan?

Or does foreign participation mean investors? Will the financing require municipal bond Wraps from monoline insurers like Ambac Financial Group allowing the bonds to be sold in the global marketplace? If so given today’s investment climate, which investor would be interested after Moody’s and others downgraded to negative watch 170,000 munis in the USA alone.

Maybe, foreign participation was defined somewhere and I missed it. I would like to see the mega-projects successful just curious about the details.

Ohio and Issan

2008-06-20T21:20:00.000-07:00

Ohio and Issan

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 275 , 18:22:17
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Are there any real economic planners in the government? I realize that leaders do not have the technical skills of their own to author an economic plan but are they not responsible for delegating tasks to complete an economic plan and then take credit for it.

It seems like everyone wakes up in the morning and reads the same newspaper. I could be staying in Ohio or Issan and the news is the same. The US issues a tax refund economic stimulus plan a few days later Thailand issues a tax incentive stimulus plan. Singapore wants to attract global talent therefore, wants to change its image from the “Fine” City to the “Fun” City complete with discos and a casino. A few days later, Thailand wants a casino again.

Maybe, for a few days we could borrow a few technocrats from Japan to write an economic plan for us instead of just reading the newspapers to see what others are doing.

Even politics jobs, education, healthcare are the same issues. The poor dumb uneducated Issan farmer is blamed for bringing back the current good ole boy same faces government in Thailand. The poor dumb uneducated blue collar unemployed factory workers in Ohio are to blame for bringing back Senator Clinton’s campaign on the exact same promises that her husband President Clinton made and did not deliver after 8 years of office universal healthcare and jobs. The only difference is the poor dumb uneducated Issan farmer even under martial law were brave enough to vote out the military while the smart educated middleclass chickens in Bangkok had no alternative to give. The poor dumb uneducated blue collar unemployed factory workers in Ohio had a choice “change” with Senator Obama and chose not to change.
Well for sure the voters in Ohio will not be getting any jobs or healthcare any time soon at least we got healthcare out of it.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2008-06-20T21:14:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 167 , 18:56:51
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Does it take all day to prepare an Irish meal?

Being St. Patrick’s Day there are a lot of videos on the news website about “Corned Beef and Cabbage”. Boiling the cabbage is easy but did you know it takes 3 to 4 hours to boil a beef brisket (a cheaper cut of meat from their Jewish neighbors in New York) in salt, pepper and vinegar in chicken broth? Cooking an Irish meal must be a full time job. I found the original recipe called for four different types of sausages very confusing. The bacon is also confusing crispy, chewy, fatty, lean many types of bacon.

Since no one in my family eats beef, it is not worth it. It is better to watch the videos of the origins of the holiday on the History Channel com. And put 3 or 4 drops of food green colouring in your beer.

But anyway, Happy St Patrick’s Day.
By the way BTW, there is no corn in Corned Beef it comes from pellets of salt to cure the beef.

Happy Meal Restaurant Review 4.5 Stars

2008-06-20T21:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Meal Restaurant Review 4.5 Stars

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 342 , 11:02:56
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I have just had several meals over the past couple of weeks in a very successful restaurant that has a long history. I have never really seen such a successful business model in a restaurant here in Thailand where businesses follow and change with the fashion trends.

What a pleasure it was to see all the beautiful Vietnamese faces in the restaurant. Someone’s children has been traveling the world. The closest experience I can compare the restaurant to is the Chinese Restaurants in the U.S. Where they have learned a long time ago that table turnover is the key to a fixed retail location. “Hello, How many people? What to drink? What to eat?” Two minutes later food arrives and the bill $20 Thank you Bye. As a matter of fact McDonald’s efficiency experts could learn a lot from this restaurant. A dine in experience that moves faster than any McDonald’s drive-thru window.

Arriving at the restaurant there is no parking but the restaurant is packed on any given night. There are hawkers on the street trying to woo the restaurants waiters and staff to come work for them, unsuccessfully. Once inside there is no waiting for a table. Dirty glasses and dishes are swept up by two hands in one pass and the table wiped down with such speed and skill that even a Hong Kong Kung Fu movie could not match. Two more beautiful Vietnamese faces sit down and if you are not ready to order in one second the waiter is off on another errand. Running up and down several flights of stairs which were built during the time when Chinese concubines wrapped their tiny feet.

All meats fully marinated fresh ingredients and fresh vegetables. Anything available chicken, pork seafood, stir fried, deep fried, twice cooked anything nothing out of stock. All dishes delivered to the table in under two minutes.

Pricing structure is 12 to 16 baht over the fuut baht price. Here again someone’s children has been shopping at Wal Mart no 5, 0 or 9 are used everything priced using 41, 53, 67 etc…
Spotless restrooms, tables, floors dishes everywhere clean. The efficiency expert that runs the front of the restaurant gets 5 stars. The Dzwa Ma efficiency expert in the kitchen gets 4 stars from me for my tastes if the Dzwa Ma would let the food stay in the Wok for just ten more seconds I would give 5 stars. But then again that might throw off the whole system still I would be happy with two minutes and ten seconds.

Happy Dining.

Bill Gates & Creative Capitalism

2008-06-20T21:07:00.000-07:00

Bill Gates & Creative Capitalism

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 516 , 19:02:55
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I thought I would take a break from ranting the yoga seems to be working in the mornings and write about something good and something that I believe in.
It comes from the World Economic Forum 2008 last month at Davos, Switzerland. It was Bill Gates’ speech on creative capitalism. Because of free market capitalism the least needy see most of the improvements while the bottom third the most needy get the least. There is a financial incentive to serve the wealthy market incentives makes this happen. Capitalism harnesses self interest for the benefit of people but only for those people who can pay it does nothing for those who can not pay.
Bill Gates quoted the father of capitalism Adam Smith author of Wealth of Nations to define creative capitalism “How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortunes of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.”

Bill Gates wants to refine free market capitalism where selfish is not only the motivating factor behind profits but also to add recognition as an incentive in markets where there is no profit to benefit the poor where in the past only government aid and NGOs were present in these markets. So Bill Gates dream is to bring private industry, governments and NGOs working together to expand the market to the bottom one third of the world.

Bill Gates cited the success of the RED Campaign which was also born in Davos, Switzerland in helping to generate more than $50 million dollars for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and Malaria. There were many more examples cited. One of the best examples I quote “The World Health Organization tried to expand vaccination for meningitis in Africa; it didn’t go straight to a vaccine manufacturer. It first went to Africa to learn what people could pay. They found out that if they wanted mothers to get this vaccine for their babies, it had to be priced at under 50 cents a dose. Then they challenged the partners to meet this price, and, in fact, Serum Institute in India found a new way to make the vaccine for 40 cents each. It agreed to then supply 250 million doses to distribute through public health systems over the next decade, allowing it to also sell into the private sector.”
Bill Gates is devoting his life for creative capitalism through his foundation.
Thailand could also learn from this instead of going head to head with international drug companies in trying to force them to sell cheaper to Thailand.

I must say I now have a great respect for Bill Gates now and I am glad that I have a legal copy of Windows Vista even geeks are more appealing to me now.

$3.1 Trillion Budget

2008-06-20T21:04:00.000-07:00

$3.1 Trillion Budget

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 269 , 08:06:09
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The best thing about the U.S.'s first ever $3 trillion budget proposal is also for the first time 3,000 copies normally printed and given to Congress was halted and the entire budget is available on line at http://www.budget.gov for all to see and debate forces Congress to use the internet for information too.
Some highlights are promoting a strong defence and tax cuts to spur the economy. Interesting 47 Educational programs will be cut.
Some history the first time the budget hit $2 trillion was in 2002. The budget took nearly two hundred years to hit $1 trillion in 1987.

What Does America Mean to Me

2008-06-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

What does America mean to me?

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 315 , 14:57:26
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With the American elections coming up, I thought it would be a good time to think about not just candidates or policies but to go back to the simple but difficult question of what is America. What is so great about America? What is the American dream? What does America mean to me? I would like to try to answer. My answer is immigration and Hollywood.

America is made up of people from every single country in the world. I still have an inner laugh when I hear people in Thailand say “that person does not look like an American” because I also had the same Hollywood image of clean cut W.A.S.P. faces living in beautiful white picketed fence houses before my limited stay in America. America is like the United Nations but with one big difference. After all of the socializing and ideology discussions at the UN they can pat each other on the back and go home. Not so for America, America is one large living breathing laboratory where every race, nationality, creed, colour. Philosophies and religions learn to live together in this world of ours. Through trial and error, success and failure all of mankind is living in the great laboratory called America.

America attracts talent and dreams from people in every corner of the world. Children are taught that they are unique. Science teaches them that from all the DNA genetic code sequence and human genome switches can offer amazing combinations through the sum of mankind’s history and future all available in one laboratory America and every life is special and everything is up to you, and yes, you can be a bum or a president, up to you, does not depend on the way you were born.
You really do not need to understand all the zillions of laws created in modern times to explain America. The founding fathers said it best all men are free and all men are created equal that is the attraction that brought mankind to America. Maybe America’s isolation period and being so far away from the troubles in Asia and Europe or the escaping of destruction from two world wars gave time for the basic freedom of mankind to incubate and grow in the great laboratory America. I am sure there are other reasons but to understand America you would have to understand her Mother England and that part of the puzzle I do not have.

In my life time two great influences were Hollywood and Bollywood. Bollywood, there is nothing better to explain human nature, but for the dreams of mankind nothing better than Hollywood. Hollywood can be seen in every adventure of mankind all the way to the moon where man first set foot on the moon we came in peace for all of mankind to the messages of the Voyager space craft’s or Hollywood’s “to boldly go where no man has gone before”. Nothing sparks the imagination of mankind than Hollywood.

So what is the American Dream? It is the words from the Founding Fathers that gave birth to a safe and stable environment for Mankind to incubate and grow. What is so great about America? It is a place to meet and learn from Mankind from every corner of the globe. What is America? Look in the mirror it is you.

Thailand will always be Thailand, China will always be China, Japan will always be Japan and India will always be India. But America will always be Mankind.
What does America mean to me? America is Mankind.

Weir Fan Club

2008-06-20T18:31:00.000-07:00

Weir Fan Club

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 473 , 11:33:25
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• I had the great pleasure to attend two of I’ Weir’s concerts in Nakorn Phanom during the Illuminated Boats Procession Festival October 21 – 27. P’ Ooy was the organizer for the trip and was kind enough to allow me to join the trip and become a member of the Fan Club.
• That evening we were lucky enough to meet the producer P’ Tong Chai at Phat Tot Kanom. After some group picture taking, we moved on to the concert grounds where we were scheduled to meet I’ Weir backstage.
• I Weir’s Business Manager P’ Cho, a very beautiful and capable lady, was very gracious and took care of us at the concerts. Unfortunately, P’ Cho informed us I’ Weir was sick and could not meet us. During the concert you could tell I’ Weir was severely dehydrated and pale but he still performed bravely for thousands of adoring screaming fans for two concerts. We sincerely wish I’ Weir to get well soon.
• P’ Ooy has organized www.sukollawat.com the Fan Club’s website. Under P’ Ooy’s superb leadership the Fan club has grown to over 2,600 members. Twenty six adoring fans came from Bangkok to support I’ Weir’s concert. We all wore pink polo member shirts and carried banners and balloons. I made many new friends in the Fan Club. All of the Fan Club members were very kind to me and I am happy to be a member. We visited many beautiful sites before and after the concerts.
• I have many pictures and movie clips that I will be posting. We hope to build our members in Udon Thani. Please visit our website for updated information concerning our activities. You can contact P’ Ooy through the website. She will be happy to hear from you.
• Tawan Pornpang
Have video clips and pictures but for some reason website will not except them to see more go to www.udonmap.com Thai section.

Weir and Pancake Pictures Index Udon Thani Thailand

2008-06-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

Weir and Pancake Pictures Index Udon Thani Thailand

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 513 , 11:53:48
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Weir and Pancake at the Grand Opening of Index Living Mall Udon Thani, Thailand.

Weir and Pancake Attend Opening Ceremony Index Mall Udon Thani

2008-06-20T18:22:00.000-07:00

Weir and Pancake Attend Opening Ceremony Index Mall Udon Thani

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 359 , 11:37:33
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My favorite idol (Weir and accompanied by Pancake a world super model) came to Udon Thani Saturday for the Grand Opening Ceremony of Index Living Mall. I had about an hour to look around a much crowed Index Living Mall. I am glad Index has come to Udon Thani. According to a salesperson at Index, this is the largest showroom for furniture in all of Asia. I was surprised at how large and beautiful the building was, after driving by the construction site every day. I will be back to shop for sure. There were many beautiful product displays that I would love to have.
Congratulations to the management and staff at Index. They did a wonderful job. Especially, thank you for bringing my favorite idol to Udon Thani. Weir and Pancake was as photogenic as ever. I took the video from the second floor balcony about 40 meters away where I found a spot behind a glass display section so no one would interfere with the video recording. Unfortunately, the glass interfered with the audio recording. Sorry to my Weir Fan Club members at www.sukollawat.com . I will try to do better next time. Most of the videos are too large for this site but they are all broadcasting live from www.youtube.com/tawanpornpang and also at Udon Thani’s number one website in the world out of almost one million Udon Thani websites by a Google search at www.udonmap.com .

Tong Sri Mueng Festival Udon Thani Thailand

2008-06-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

Tong Sri Mueng Festival Udon Thani Thailand

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 259 , 12:43:27
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This year’s Tong Sri Mueng Festival (I apologize for the romaji and the late posting) in Udon Thani was as crowded as walking the streets of Hong Kong elbow to elbow. The parade featured many colorful floats and dancers in costume. But what everyone was waiting for came at the end of the parade. It was the Chinese Dragon Dance and the Chinese Lion Dance well worth waiting for. The Chinese Opera Dancers also were a big hit. This year I think there were three Chinese groups participating in the parade.

After the parade it was off to the Udon Thani State Fair. Thai food and drink was available everywhere whenever you got tired and needed a break from all the shopping and games. This is an excellent time every year for the children to enjoy the State Fair.

Thailand's Fiscal Economic Stimulus Policy

2008-06-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

Thailand's Fiscal Economic Stimulus Policy

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 304 , 12:14:11
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Recent blogs have raised some very interesting questions. I have been trying to answer this myself but I cannot get past Government 101 maybe you can help.
As far as a fiscal stimulus package for the Thai economy, it follows the same path as the U.S. that just passed a fiscal stimulus package to avoid a recession. The decision for the U.S. is plain to see because the consumer makes up 80% of GDP.
This raises the question will a fiscal stimulus package bring back politics and business as usual? I may be wrong but is this not a basic principle of Democracy? The people elect representatives to represent their own special interests. A Democracy requires that the majority rules. A majority is 51% so the majority gets the spoils while the 49% minority waits for the crumbs that are left over or until the trickledown effect kicks in and wealth is more evenly distributed. How long does this take?

Increasing exports has been Asia’s main economic engine for a long time while consumer demand has been discouraged and savings encouraged. Today’s main benefactors of this policy are Japan and China. Japan has always exported its way out of trouble. Although, according to Bloomberg Japan is already in a recession. With Japan being in a recession there is not much hope for foreign investment to boast Thailand’s economy. Japan was the main investor after 1997 in growing Thailand’s export industry and also allowing Thailand to build up her foreign reserves.

Decoupling from the U.S. economy requires that Asia develops its domestic demand as India and China are doing. So the old tool of exporting Thailand out of trouble is not going to work for Thailand or Japan. Japan is solving this problem by making sure its labor resources are being trained in advanced knowledge based economy not just knowledge based. An appreciating baht and a weaker dollar has led to Thailand diversifying her exports away from the U.S. that only requires the cheapest price but this diversification to Europe and Japan that requires quality instead of the cheapest price means it is a much smaller niche market for Thai exports. The main question for Thai exports is what comparative advantage do Thai exports have? There are only so many widgets that a country can export and comparative advantages are won and lost quickly in a Globalized economy. So what widgets that Thailand can export that others are not doing?

Globalized labor markets are also following incremental steps from vocational skills, knowledge based to advanced knowledge based that all require a passport and a willingness to work anywhere in the world not just within one’s own borders. Thailand has been exporting labor for a long time now and importing labor to keep domestic prices down.

External problems abound from 100 dollar barrel of oil to the world wide credit crunch. Any 5 to 10 year economic development plan has so many variables to plan for.
Democracy itself is changing at a faster rate than our Grandparents day. We have only enjoyed a brief time of Democracy. The Great Depression was not so long ago with our Grandparents standing in soup lines and begging for pennies.
An alarming change in Democracy is the increasing use of Executive powers. The theory that Congress the people’s representatives are not qualified to make decisions erases the checks and balances between the Executive branch, Judicial and Congress. That one man only is right and actions are not allowed to be debated in Congress because of Executive powers. The master of words the Office of Legal Council make all covert actions and decision by the Executive branch legal in the written laws. No accountability or responsibility is taken into account because all actions are legal until overturned later by the Supreme Court. This is unchartered territory which will produce legalized Dictators by the OLC Master of the written word.

For Thailand to be afraid of pork barrel practices called earmarks in the advanced Democracies and are legal because they are law, does not make sense after all Democracy is electing representatives to promote your special interest.

Poor People Have Eyes

2008-06-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

Poor People Have Eyes

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 227 , 18:56:34
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I wonder what percentage of poor people are really stupid. If you go back several decades the Imperialist powers at the time probably thought the same thing as is reported in the media and held dearly by the so called elite of today, that all poor people are stupid and thus Empires and Colonies were lost.

If the elite can remember their basic biology class at their Ivy League Schools, of course, in-between the cell phone calls and text messaging, they might recall most humans Poor people included have eyes and ears. They hear everything you say and they see everything you do. And yes their day will come and they will remember who treated them well and who spoke to them in the elitist polite tone filled with sarcasm that assumedly no Poor person could understand.

I do not gamble but I am willing to bet the percentage of Poor people that are really stupid matches the percentage of Rich people that are really stupid. You do not need to go back to Statistics 101, just look around you; sub-prime algorithms based AAA grade investment funds. How many stupid Rich people lose their money every day? Or how many Rich kids can not even put a sentence together or have lost all their people skills from playing computer games and live off of mommy and daddy’s money despite spending a small fortune on their education with zero percent return on investment not able to earn one baht their self only spend. How many stupid PhDs have you met that can only talk to a white board. How many times an important event happened at your company but because you talk to your employees like a dog no one tells you about it. I wonder why?

In all societies throughout history information has brought down the elite that have forgotten that Poor people are human beings too and yes, Poor people have eyes and ears. The Lao maid that you talk to like a dog and pay like one just because you can take advantage of her Immigration status hears everything you say and sees everything you do. The Poor Issan farmer has eyes and ears also. The Poor Mexican construction worker in America is building houses and because he lives with 10 other persons can save $24,000 USD to build his dream back home. How many middle class Americans can do that in the worlds so called advanced society? Yes, Poor people will find away and they will not forget the elite that climbed on their backs to get to the top.

But Poor people do remember who treated them with respect. However you define it haves and have nots rich and poor Empires have been lost by assuming Poor people are stupid. Many people have forgotten that the world is round. Information is funny travels downward quickly but not upwards so easily I guess it must be gravity.

Tawan

Merlin has won BOT forced out

2008-06-20T18:08:00.000-07:00

Merlin has won BOT forced out

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 269 , 10:01:24
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The Finance Ministry plans to ask the BOT to abandon its unpopular capital control measures and instead force the BOT to adopt an exchange rate target for the baht that copies regional currencies.
Thailand knows what is coming down the road after the credit crunch is over. Emerging Market economies growth for the first time is fueling the global economic engine instead of the US consumer. The US dollar will get weaker and weaker and Asia's currencies stronger.
Despite IMF warnings that Thailand will lose flexibility to respond to future world shocks. Merlin has decided that Thailand's financial markets will remain primitive. Who is not surprised?

Happy Birthday Udon Thani

2008-06-20T18:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Udon Thani

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 218 , 13:41:25
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I just wanted to wish Happy Birthday to Udon Thani.

Democratic Lessons by the World's most Advanced Society

2008-06-20T18:01:00.000-07:00

Democratic Lessons by the World's most Advanced Society

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 255 , 11:22:17
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Democratic Lessons to be Learned by watching the World’s Most Advanced Society
Want to get rid of corruption? Want to have a Democratic nation in the eyes of the world? This is so simple to do just follow the leader.

This is a golden time for the ambitious to step forward. Want to increase your family fortune a hundred fold politics is the answer. Only one U.S. president went into office from a simple wooden house and left office with the same assets, no increase in wealth obviously one does not want to follow his example.
In modern times a new political model has emerged. Populist rich businesspersons have always been the favorite candidate. But new ones have gone through a major change. This change is built on the Written Word the Law. The law has become God and judgment of right and wrong, sorry no grey or middle road allowed. Armed with the Written Word all actions are legitimized.

A modern populist leader today is not only a successful businessperson but is armed with the written word. The best example today is Senator Tobacco. Senator Tobacco made his beginning millions from class action law suits against American corporations. The victims after splitting the spoils may have gotten a few pennies. Bravo, a successful young politician is born.

But this politician has a competitive advantage over just a successful businessman. This politician has a law degree which is king of all Written Word. Not too long ago the U.S. graduated so many lawyers that even the fast food industry had enough employees. Then came the ultimate politician with a mass influx from the legal field to the political arena. Presto, a star is born the perfect politician a political leader armed with the Written Word the ability to craft laws that are so air tight the politician will not legally be liable for any actions taken.

A simple example from the great state of North Carolina, the opportunity was how do you create a business opportunity to take advantage of the working class poor and not be charged with Federal loan sharking crimes. The lawyer politician creates loopholes to bypass the maximum legal interest rate charges of 30% into 300% by creating a legal paycheck advance company legally able to charge 300%. Now you may ask why was not 30% already enough? The answer is No, basic economics states time has a value in more points than just time or time is money. The lawyer politician in order to stay a populist and popular among the poor must be able to create loopholes that generate large sums of money quickly and then close the loopholes just as quickly when it becomes unpopular in order to stay a populist.

Example number two. Insider information is a great tool for the master of the Written Word. Undisclosed Hedge Funds by its very definition is secretive and thus not legally liable. The Master of the Written Word is able to make millions from the Undisclosed Funds and then quickly come out to the public condemning Undisclosed Funds and promises to close this loophole in the law. Because after all the Master of the Word cannot afford his maid to be able to take advantage of Undisclosed Hedge Funds. The Master would have no one to clean his house since it is the size of a small city. At the same time you eliminate any competitor that may want to join your exclusive country club. The Master must point out to the public that at the time of his involvement the Undisclosed Hedge Funds were perfectly legal and because he is a saint will now close this evil loophole.

How will History judge you? This is not even a concern. History is written by victors and then burned and rewritten by successive new victors. This is why the world is round. But what happens if you write the Master of all Words “that all men are created equal and free”. Do not worry, be happy, you will have at least two hundred years to live up to those words before doing anything about it and then you can grow up to be a super power preaching to the rest of the world how corrupt and undemocratic they are. Because you have become Master of the Word that has eliminated corruption letting Democracy flourish. If you do make a mistake in your Written Word do what the CIA does burn and shred the word or is it first shred and then burn. By destroying the Written Word it never existed and your sainthood is assured.

The answers to the beginning questions are simple. Become Master of the Written Word the Law by becoming a lawyer first and then a politician, only then will your Democracy become legitimized in the eyes of the world. By becoming a Master of the Written Word the Law you can open and close legal loopholes to your heart’s content and even win debates. In fact, you can totally redefine the meaning of corruption. Forget about the colour grey and the Middle Road, it’s much too broad and confusing to stand up to the detailed analysis required by the Masters of the Written Word the Law.

Tawan

3 Baht Self Service Oil

2008-06-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 328 , 20:55:31
Print
3 Baht Cheaper Oil

Always low prices wins again. Now Thailand can join the Global ranks of cheap prices and no service.
The self service petrol stations have arrived and the joys of pumping your own petrol has arrived in Thailand at least I will not be standing in the snow pumping petrol.
Globalization is really moving fast but I have to admit that the self service petrol station is a real shocker for me. I thought one of the last standing global competitive edge for Thailand was service.
My friends in America are really laughing now. I never thought I would see this day in Thailand.

Thailand Dropping Out of Global Community

2008-06-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

Thailand Dropping Out Of Global Community
Posted by Tawan , Reader : 1823 , 22:47:14
Print
Thailand Dropping Out Of Global Community

So sad these days to read the press and forums around Thailand and the world, also very sad to hear retirees, tourists and foreign business people opinions and experiences becoming more and more negative about the Kingdom of Thailand. As a Thai, I hope that these world views do not represent the majority of Thai people. In the final analysis, I hope that these views are pursued by special interest Thais that only care about themselves and not representative of the Thai people.

Since the 1997 crisis, I have become so proud that Thailand has decided to participate in the Global economy with all of its pain and gains to move up the learning curve and become a part of the global community. Thailand has gained and benefited from increase wealth. The Global economy because of technology changes very quickly advantages soon turns to disadvantages only the informed can shift course and adjust to compete. Thailand before 1997 exports were only 20% based on an overvalued pegged baht. Everyone in those days visiting Thailand would tell you everything was too expensive in Thailand compared to other Asian countries. But Thailand chose not to listen (Mei pang Mei pang) but instead followed the special interests and defended the baht to bankruptcy. Today, Thailand is in the opposite situation. Thailand’s exports have grown to over 60% but complaints directed at the BOT have risen from the special interest again without looking at the global trends. Will Thailand develop a black and white or right and wrong or with us or against us world view? Or will Thailand follow common sense and realize the world is mostly grey. Will Thailand again listen to the special interests?

The facts from World Institutions are the US can not continue absorbing Asia’s exports at the current rate. The US balance sheet will continue to be weak as the US readjusts its consumer economy and re-pricing of assets and risks. Next year Asia’s emerging economies lead by China will lead the world’s economic engine for the first time in history not the US. This means that the US dollar will continue its decline and Asia’s domestic economies must be more open including financial market reforms, technology, domestic market reforms, education and human rights.

Warnings to Thailand by World Institutions to develop its domestic financial instruments, Implement foreign exchange hedging by exporters. Develop value added exports, reform education and reform Immigration. Policies, open domestic markets improve human rights to Thais and non Thais. Increase technology investments not censorship and political oppression. Many professionals in Thailand work very hard every day to achieve these goals for a better Thailand.

But, special interests have different answers for Thailand’s future. A recent simple example is the decrease in hotel occupancy rates. Of course the hotel operators blame the baht and fewer tourists when in fact the number of tourist arrivals has increased and the number of new hotels built has increased. Government is not responsible for bad investor decisions. Instead of blaming someone else like children investors should do their homework before whining to the Government.

Flip flopping on issues and laws served Thailand well in the past when Thailand was trying to avoid becoming a colony. Today that strategy sends a bad message to the Global community, special interests making new laws or changing laws when events turn against them to serve their own interest.

Special interest will tell you that foreigners may not own business or foreign retirees may not own their own homes that they have bought and paid for after a lifetime of hard work and saving. Foreign Retirees live on a fixed income and live in fear of being kicked out of their homes or fear immigration’s disrespectful sour face in issuing their yearly visa depends on the immigration officer’s mood and ever increasing difficult immigration laws. Foreign Retiree’s economic contribution to Thai society offering security, supporting entire Thai families and raising children are ignored and their efforts are unwelcome by an ungrateful society. Half foreign Thai children are loved and adored as moving stars or singers but growing up they are tortured physically and mentally by other Thai children. Children are not naturally mean they are taught that way by racist parents. Turn this story of foreigner’s experiences in Thailand around and imagine yourself in a foreign country. Do you want your Thai children going abroad to study and being abused by raciest because they are different? Or do you want to retire abroad and then kicked out of your house at 65 years old because you are Thai? Do you want to go abroad and then be kicked out by new immigration laws? Do you want to go shopping abroad and be cheated by being charged more because you are Thai? Or would it be ok if while you are being cheated it is done with a sarcastic smile and you are perceived as rich. There is nothing more irritating than being smiled at while being cheated. Most foreign tourist save a life time to visit Thailand and contrary to popular opinion can not afford to be cheated. Incomes are relevant yes their salaries are higher but so are their cost of living savings rates are the same as a 4.000 Baht per month Thai worker. Foreigners are not stupid people just as Thais do not like to be called poor stupid farmers more and more of these stories are going around the world. I meet people around the world that knows and have friends in many small and large cities around Thailand not just Bangkok. Thailand is not just known by Bangkok in the world community anymore. Remember what you do to others will come back to you. Soon Thais visiting and living in other countries will be treated the same way as foreigners are in Thailand.

Special interests will use the argument that Thailand is a small, pitiful, poor, uneducated, ignorant undeveloped country that can not compete and needs more time to develope. Slogans created such as “Thailand is for Thais” breeding racism by populist politicians. Special interest will tell you we are protecting Thai culture. Thailand has thousands of years of culture it will not disappear by joining the world community. Thailand is classified as an emerging country with the size and population of a European country. By following populist propaganda Thailand will not have to worry about exports exports will be zero will not have to worry about tourism tourist will go elsewhere that pretty much takes care of foreign exchange policy and foreign reserves there will be no need to participate in the world at all. The world has no time to wait for Thailand. The world will move on to Thailand’s neighbors Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, China, and Indonesia where conditions are better and where governments are anxious to join the world community and eventually to Burma ( Myanmar) and Cambodia.

Is this the Thailand we want? Do we just want to go on sabai sabai watching the world go by on TV because the world is too tough for our sabai sabai sanook sanook attitude?

Take a look at what our neighbors Malaysia are doing for retirees or Vietnam is doing for foreign investors while we watch sabai sabai. Below I will paste and copy Malaysia’s retirement program. I apologize to the blog purist that hate paste and copy but I do not have the writing skills to write it better. When asked by foreigners, is Thailand a good place to visit or retire or invest, I am ashamed to say Thailand’s neighbors will treat you better and more fairly.

Eligibility.
The programme is open to all foreign citizens except those married to Malaysians and citizens of Israel, Serbia and Yugoslavia. The restriction on foreigners married to Malaysians was made at the end of 2006. They are required to apply for a spouse visa.
Finance/Income
The following sets out the financial criteria which depend on the age of the applicant. If a married couple apply the oldest person’s age decides the appropriate criteria.

It should be noted that applicants who choose the fixed deposit option do not have to place it until their visa application is approved. At that time they will receive a “conditional approval” letter by the immigration department. They have to bring this letter, together with evidence of completing any other conditions specified in the letter, to the immigration department. The visa will then be stamped in their passport.

i) Applicants aged below 50 years old:

• Must open a fixed deposit account of RM300,000
• Can withdraw up to RM240,000 for the purchase of house, medical insurance or children’s education expenses after the deposit has been placed for one year.
• Must maintain a minimum balance of RM60,000 from second year onwards and throughout stay in Malaysia under this programme.
ii) Applicants aged 50 years and above:

• Have to place a fixed deposit account of RM150,000. (If they receive a government pension or a pension from a well recognized global company in excess of the RM10,000 the requirement may be waived)
• Can withdraw up to RM90,000 of the fixed deposit after one year to purchase of house, medical insurance or children’s education expenses.
• Must maintain a minimum balance of RM60,000 throughout their stay in Malaysia under this programme.
Sponsor/Assistance
There is no longer a requirement for a Malaysian sponsor. This requirement is only necessary if you use an agent in which case the agent will act as your sponsor. If you need assistance making the application we offer this service (click here). You may make the application without coming to Malaysia and once the letter of conditional approval is issued we will advise you and you have six months to come to Malaysia and collect the visa.
Insurance Coverage / Medical Report
Applicants must possess a medical insurance coverage from any insurance company that is valid in Malaysia. This may be waived for older applicants who are denied coverage because of their age. All applicants are required to have a medical examination in Malaysia.
Education
Applicants are allowed to bring along their dependants (children) either not schooling or are schooling in primary, secondary or in any Institution of higher Learning. Dependants who are schooling are also required to apply for a Student Pass to continue their education in schools or Institutions of Higher Learning recognised by the government. Children have to be aged under 18 to be included under the MM2H visa programme.
Taxes
Successful applicants are bound by the policies, systems and regulations of taxes of this country however their overseas income will not be taxed in Malaysia.
Security Vetting
Approvals are given subject to security vetting clearance conducted by the Royal Malaysian Police.
Restrictions
Successful applicants are STRICTLY forbidden from the following:
* Being employed anywhere in Malaysia unless approved by the government.
* Participating in activities that can be considered as sensitive to the local people like political or missionary activities.

SEE “APPLICATION PROCEDURES” FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY"

Thai Exports China or Japan

2008-06-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

Thai Exports China or Japan

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 477 , 16:15:50 Print

I prefer to listen to Economist Dr. Supavud Saicheua. I have read the articles and it seems to be more concern with Thailand's future. The long term policies are much better then the current little Dutch Boy running around sticking his finger in every little hole in the dike that lets water flow through which seems to be so popular in Thailand these days.

Case number one China.

Thailand wants to keep its low skill low wage exports alive and hopes to be able to compete with China in this sector. Examine the characteristics of the Chinese businessman and his largest customer the American Businessman. We will refer to the Chinese Businessman as "Mr. Almost" and the American Businessman as "Mr. Walmart".

If ever there was a more perfect couple in this world it would be Mr. Almost and Mr. Walmart. There is no one in this world that can produce products faster and cheaper and cash a LC faster than Mr. Almost and there is no one in this world that can sell products faster and cheaper than Mr. Walmart what a match made in heaven a cheap producer and a cheap customer and a doomed low skill low wage workforce fated to life at the bottom of the social pyramid forever.
Look how this works Mr. Almost's answer to any question is "No problem" Can you roll back the price from last year? Yes, No problem Can you ship on this date? Yes, No problem. The results for Mr. Almost will be a LC cashed in world record time. The results for Mr. Walmart will be a container of poisonous dogfood because of a cheaper ingredient but no problem they are only dogs. Mr. Walmart's goals have been reached to continue to "Roll Back prices". As you can see TQC and zero defects do not enter into this equation.

To be fair to Mr. Walmart he does run a very tight ship by keeping his buyers locked up in the middle of nowhere and not allowed outside to keep them honest but poor. This is how Mr. Walmart got rid of his competition and became a monopoly in the American market Mr. Kmart who made the mistake of letting his buyers roam the world becoming rich. Mr. Walmart by keeping his in-house experts locked up can better compete than any other American company that typically has no in-house experts to form the shell company except a few that they headhunt from competitors because they do not believe in investing in a workforce as workers are treated as a liability instead of an asset all other expertise is subcontracted out to places like India where American trained MBAs will work for $500 a month compared to $80,000 a year in the American market. Meanwhile, Mr. Walmart's customers graduate with MBA degree by the thousands each quarter and find that the $80,000 expected turns into $8 dollars per hour and is very grateful to Mr. Walmart for rolling back prices every month.

Now how can Thailand join this great economic model which has made the US the largest consumer society in the world. Easy listen to the people that wants to keep the Baht at 36 or 37 regardless of market conditions. To be frank with you, I do not believe Thailand can compete in this sector with Mr. Almost at the 36 to 37 range to be able to compete with Mr. Almost Thailand would be better off going to the G7 and asking for a bigger slice of the foreign exchange pie instead of only taking 37 degrees of the pie ask for 360 degrees of the pie. This exchange rate of 360 baht to 1 dollar will make certain Thailand can compete with Mr. Almost. In addition, Thailand will save lots of money by not having to invest in a knowledge based workforce the workforce will be happy making dollar store items for Mr. Walmart forever.

Case number two Japan

Oh, the more difficult road there is a reason they call this road "ganbatte" it is not a easy road to follow. But few could argue that Japan is the absolute leader of Asia and the most admired country in Asia. Imagine a beautiful, clean and safe country with the highest quality of life in the world or walking around the most modern city in the world "Tokyo" that makes New York look like a dirty slum. Where the people are the most polite and honest people anywhere try asking a New Yorker the time of day.

There are many reasons that the Japan model is so successful and many experts that can write volumes on it. I will focus on only one. Japan is successful because of its citizens that the Japanese government and industry has invested trillions of yen to make sure its citizens are knowlede based or even advanced knowledge based. That is why you can find Japanese tradition side by side with modern it does not threaten each other. Japan believes that the most important in a company is not the building or its products but its workforce. People are an asset not a liability without people there is no company no country. Many examples of this, when Mazada had invented a superior technology rotary engine for some reason it did not sell in the marketplace despite the superior technology everyone in the company went door to door selling the car so that the company could survive this is "ganbatte'.

Japan is a small country with no natural resources when the domestic market was full it did not question should it go abroad to diversify risk and find new opportunities for foreign direct investment. Japan has invested in many countries including Thailand led by its well trained cross culturally educated workforce. Japan is much like the US hard to find anything made in that country it is made the world over and Japanese companies have become Global and continue to grow and its citizens continue to benefit from the growth.

Finally, which road will Thailand take? Will Thailand take advantage of its new found wealth of a stonger Baht ? Will Thailand invest billions of baht in a knowledge based workforce? Will Thailand start investing in a cross culturally educated workforce to lead direct foreign investments? What will Thailand invest in ? One thing Thailand is good at is its creative design. Even little Switzerland competes globally with mainly two products watches and banks and smart enough to stay out of world wars. As creative as Thai people are you can not tell me Thailand can not find two products to compete Globally.
Just my humble opinion.

Thai Democracy Yes Western Democracy No

2008-06-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

Thai Democracy Yes Western Democracy No

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 338 , 00:39:01 Print

I agree with a recent statement “I hope Thailand will find the right way into a bright future”. IMO Thai Democracy does not need to be a copy of Western Democracy. The blogs that say Thais do not understand democracy need to look at their own democracies.

I believe Thais are free. I believe Thais are tolerant people. I believe Thais are intelligent people.

I agree with China, western society has more than enough problems of their own and has no right to criticize other countries. It is not constructive criticism being offered by western societies. It is criticism offered with a holier than you sarcastic superior attitude that all things western are superior education, government, business, people etc.

May I ask? Are westerners born with this trait of absolute belief that they are superior or is that trait taught in your education system? What Thai people do not need is a history lesson about the Civil Liberties ratified in 1791 by the US Congress known as the Bill of Rights by hypocrite slave owners. You want to know about Civil Rights ask Martin Luther King after 250 years of living in a so called free democratic society the struggle continues today against the same leaders that seems to forget the recent past that they were a part of in western society. Even though Dr. King is gone the powers that he fought against are still alive today. If the US democracy model works like the above statements with 300 years of experience of not getting it right how is it going to work in Thailand?

Thailand does not need to be an exact copy of the US. China proves that communism and free markets work. Japan proves that Japan Inc works none of which copies the US. The US policy of you are either with us or against us proves how narrow minded the US is and is the major cause of a lot of problems in the world. What problems is Thailand causing in the world on that scale?

I would rather walk the streets of Tokyo at midnight than try that in New York the so called capital of the free world. As far as history lessons the western free world needs to go back and read those great documents and start living by them.

Yes, we need constructive criticism not laced with sarcasm and the word respect needs to be added back to the English dictionary and used.

I have noticed too many westerners speak without concern for the listeners thoughts are feelings. This is not the Thai definition of freedom and is a sign of a very uneducated person.

Thai Democracy Yes, Western Democracy No

More Bashing

2008-06-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

More Bashing

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 391 , 02:05:03 Print

The internet, what a great tool to level the playing field. One just has to take a look at the Thai forums to see how quickly Thais are changing and adapting their communication skills to match a global society.

On the internet in dealing with global issues Thais are throwing out Thai rules of communication and adopting western rules of communication. Just like everyone else Thais can hide behind the computer. No more smiling no more silence no more politeness rules of Thai society. Why because it does not work it is a global audience. Read the comments smiles are interpreted as deception to gain access to ATM cards no one smiles in the west unless they are up to something or watching comedy central. Polite is interpreted as buy me a house. Silence is interpreted as just plain stupid as seen when ET ask his 5w’s to the class and no student responds. ET interprets this as the students must be stupid or the education system must be failing certainly not as advanced as western education system where are all the guns?

Enter the Western Dragon where loud mouth, direct, aggressive behavior moves you up in politics, society and business. Anything less is interpreted as weakness and worse inept. In short, the Alpha dog characteristics are taught very early and learned if one is going to be successful. If one can not perform the wolf pack eats you alive. Results are as an Alpha dog being bigger, meaner and better than any other dog on the block and deserves success as such, less aggressive dogs deserve their lot in life because they chose to be weak non aggressive. A good communicator can shoot off the 5W’s faster than a machine gun with one linear goal in mind of I am right and you are wrong no grays in this world. Although, a good communicator can also grasp incremental thinking also, such as the Japanese
Example “I wish you luck but quickly adding I hope you fail”. Never use circular communications this is also interpreted in the west as deception stick to linear and incremental.

Where East meets West, hopefully, Thai society can keep the two means of communications separate Japan did. I would hate to have to walk the streets of Thai society with a stun gun in hand.

Help Khun Tarisa Merlin is back at BOT

2008-06-19T19:15:00.000-07:00

Help Khun Tarisa Merlin is back at BOT

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 468 , 14:37:32 Print

I love articles with numbers gives me something to work with. That being said, I have a real big problem with today’s numbers from a macroeconomic program that says “Economist Raps BOT over Baht”. The conclusion from these numbers leads me to believe the magician Merlin is haunting the BOT. Merlin is not interested in Thailand’s economy but has another agenda in mind. I may have missed something in the article that has leaded me to the wrong conclusions if so I sincerely apologize and stand corrected. Let me first summarize the numbers from today’s macroeconomic model and let me know so that I can gain knowledge if my mathematics does not add up.

These numbers are from July 2, 2007 – July 6, 2007 tracking the BOT’s balance sheets in minute detail following the BOT’s foreign exchange operations. That week current account surplus $ 155 million, net foreign direct investment $ 125 million, net equities $ 598 million, net debt $ 40 million, and net loans $ 200 million for a total of $1.11 billion. That week produced a Bt 0.52 appreciation and a FX book loss of Bt 42.910 billion that week.

Without repeating the step by step details of the transactions, which was covered excellently in the article, that week’s strategy was the BOT bought $578 million in the spot market and the forward market. The BOT issued Bt 18 billion in bonds to cover 100% in the spot market.

Now this is where the numbers do not add up and when Merlin appears. The macroeconomic software inputs the above data for the above dates. Then suddenly keeping all other market factors around the world as constant, two variables enter the equation posing as would be fact for that week in history.

First, the amount of intervention is changed to $ 2.45 billion, July 2 - $431 million, July 3 - $ 632 million, July 4 - $ 556 million, July 5 - $ 445 million, July 6 - $ 390 million.

Second the bonds issued were changed to a 50% intervention in the spot market and 50% in the forward market. The total bond issued was changed to Bt 84.65 billion.

The above would result in no foreign exchange loss and gaining Bt 3.49 million in U.S. dollar interest increasing foreign reserves to $ 84.974 billion. Wow Disney World here I come what a wonderful life.

So Merlin would have us to believe by changing these two variables in history in other words instead of intervening by $500 million a week and intervening instead $ 2.5 billion a week the markets will be reversed. Never mind if a billion dollars flows out of equities that week or any other of a thousand things happens in the world that week changing these two variables is a winning strategy.

It does not take much to see that Merlin or even any kid can take two variables in historical data and keep manipulating them until you reach the desired results. No one in any Central bank in the world goes to work knowing exactly what will happen in the world’s markets that day and thus what percentage of intervention will be enough. It is also easy to spend billions of dollars every week to get results in a simulation because the money you are spending is not real it is a big difference when you are spending real money.

I do not know about anyone else but when I was in school my teacher would not let me manipulate historical data to get a good grade.

Now, if the dates in Merlin’s example is wrong and should read August 2, 2007 – August 6, 2007 I sincerely apologize and I want to be an investor and I also want to know what is tomorrow’s winning lottery number is. But if not I feel insulted Thai people are not stupid we do know the difference between yesterday, today and tomorrow. Finally, may I apologize for any directness but I think in English that is allowed.

Good Ole Boy

2008-06-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

Good Ole Boy

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 350 , 21:54:23 Print

Everything seems to come full circle around every ten years. The above link talks about exactly that. Case studies keeps repeating the same mistakes. Politics and Business works together in a "Good Ole Boy System" of greed not honest business.

History 1980's Savings and Loans local Politicians and Businesses get loans based on phony book values no income statements etc... sound familiar only qualification was to be a connected "Good Ole Boy". Of course things got out of hand the local banks went under. In comes the Feds saying that regional and national banks will take over to control the corrupt local systems with professional MBA's. Through creative accounting up to 1997 60% of the savings and loans debt was still tied up in court. If the debt ever got paid no one knows no news about it or any further case studies written the debt just disappeared.

1998 in comes legalized corruption protected and created by national politicians and national banks. The MBA's found that they could repackage debt, that under the previous system stayed at the local level ,and sold it to investors ( American's pension funds etc...). Only problem the MBA's found that you still needed the local politicians and businesses to get phoney valuations. In my small town "Good Ole Boys" were still able to get millions in loans based on over valuation of what in reality were crack houses valued as prime real estate. I am sure that somehow this new round of unpaid debt will somehow disappear again when the MBA's have come up with a new line of financial products to keep the system going.

Now there is talk about going back to the good ole days of local banks issueing mortgages the cycle never ends. Goes to show you you can not seperate Politics from Business in a developed country you need the politicians to write the highly valued rule of law to keep the corruption going and rationalized as the rule of law the western version of eastern face.

IMO the only difference in a undeveloped country and a developed country is in a developed country they have enough sense to make the corruption legal first in very sophisticated laws that make it very difficult to detect.

Now that the Feds are involved I can not wait to see what new financial derivatives the MBA's come up with for the next ten year cycle. Maybe they will make "relaxed lending rules" illegal would that not be a shocker. :shock: :shock: :shock

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China Envy American Woes

2008-06-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

China Envy American Woes

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 374 , 07:49:58 Print
CHINA ENVY AMERICAN WOES

Envy and why not, China has averaged annual growth of 9.5% for 30 years. China has put growth above all costs. The roots of a communist capitalist system goes back to 1980’s and 1990’s when the late leader Deng Xiao-Ping declared it was ok to get rich. Beijing down to the local level cadres are all judged by GDP growth. Gross Domestic Product growth was based on increasing production in the export sector. This strategy has been used by all Asian countries starting with Japan. More specifically, even Thailand before 1997 when exports were a mere 20% of GDP has grown today to nearly 80% of GDP. The message was clear to all Asian countries when in trouble export your way out of it. The problem is everyone follows the same strategy.

This over reliance on exports still has produced weak domestic demand and a primitive financial system and stronger foreign exchange rates for other Asian countries. President Hu Jin-Tao has said the economy is unstable, unbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable. These are powerful words and directed not only to an internal Chinese audience but also to China’s largest customer the US.

First, the Chinese leadership will begin to focus on internal issues. The Chinese leadership has the will and more important has the money, something that America does not have, to solve internal issues. In 2006, 30,000 officials were prosecuted for corruption. Product safety issues, manufacturing and environment, copyrights and the capital markets. These issues take money, which China has, and educated people, which China has and no one doubts China’s will to enforce change.

China has $1.2 trillion in foreign reserves and if China cashed in the US Dollar would be worth about 1 baht. China is cautious in financial matters as well they should be in its recent announcement that Chinese citizens may begin to invest in Hong Kong stocks. China’s financial markets are insulated from world shocks. China is slowly opening its financial markets when they are ready. No amount of pressure from the US will force China to speed up financial reforms. No debtor walks up to a creditor and demands change. Simple economics money talks and debt walks. China does not want a leveraged future like the US that has sold out to Wall Street.

A daunting task to control China’s 657 municipalities, 2,862 counties and 41,636 townships, Even mighty Harvard or Oxford could not graduate enough MBA’s to manage the sheer size of China overnight. China’s State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) employs 300 people in Beijing and 60,000 employees around the country. The will to enforce and the money to increase inspectors China has. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has 17,500 employees overseeing the mass exodus of US manufacturers overseas during the past 30 years and an influx of Japanese manufacturers to the US soon followed by Chinese auto manufacturers next year hopefully to Detroit where the price of a car is higher than a house and a large pool of unemployed US auto engineers are waiting for the Chinese arrival.

An even bigger problem for China is understaffing the State Food and Drug Administration. It only employees 1,700 people to control China’s food producers 350,000 producers have fewer than 10 employees or 80% of the total. Contrast that with the US FDA which has had budget cuts since the 1970’s at the most can only inspect 1 or 2% of food shipments to the US again no money,

Evidence of more Chinese internal focus is on education turning out 60,000 Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Science and technology alone. These graduates will lead China’s next push to set up Global manufacturing bases to serve local markets with higher value and quality products such as Cherry Automobile in the US next year.

Chinese graduates have plenty of work to improve China’s domestic social services, public health care and retirement plans to replace Chairman Mao’s “iron rice bowl” policies. China has a lot of hard work ahead of it but the foundation is strong and the future is bright. China has written and passed some of the best laws in the world it will come down to enforcement.

America’s woes are not education. America turns out thousands of graduates every semester year after year. If you believe the government’s statistics almost no one is unemployed. A better statistic would be how many are underemployed no one knows. Since America pretty much does not produce anything tangible outside of the service sector, it turns to Wall Street to leverage their grandchildren’s future. A simple financial product like a house mortgage is repackaged and sold to investors around the world prime and sub prime. How long America can continue its growth through leverage is the big question. As long as business can lobby politicians to make corrupt practices, like no income verification for mortgages, legal by law first there is by definition no corruption because it is law, As long as there is a law for it, it is a feel good moral placebo for a society that is required to be ruled by rule of law.

Who writes these laws? Politicians do and thereby protected by law. Almost every Presidential candidate has made millions from hedge and private equity funds invested in sub prime portfolios but it is not corruption. By law these firms are not required to disclose their portfolios for possible conflict of interest therefore they have done nothing wrong. It is organized legalized corruption although by law it is not corruption. Ironically, every Presidential candidate is now against these types of funds the game is up but do not worry they will be busy writing new laws for the next round of financial products that ordinary citizens can not participate in. Do not worry it is legal not corruption and you can bet the politicians grandchildren’s future is not leveraged cash only please.

It all works because the government promises not to come knocking on citizens doors in return do not come knocking on the government door when natural disaster strikes, a war is needed, health care is needed, infrastructure is needed, retirement is needed, education is needed, childcare is needed, elderly care is needed or heaven forbid a job is needed. Since these programs are taken care of by the strong independent American character of take care of yourself that built this great country that leaves the government free to write more laws carefully making sure each practice becomes legal.

So with all the taxes that Americans so gladly pays what tangible product do they get in return? Americans get to be the freest people in the world. Where does all the tax money go? I guess it gets repackaged just like debt and disappears around the world no one knows. America for sure also has a bright future.

The two countries have vastly different problems and opportunities. MBA’s will tell you leveraged finance is better they have a good track record they have built a 12 trillion dollar economy out of it. Poor dumb farmers (since when farming was not a noble profession I do not know anyway that is how we are classified nowadays) will tell you cash is king. I guess only time will tell.

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Blog Talk with Khun Tarisa

2008-06-19T18:54:00.000-07:00

Blog Talk with Khun Tarisa

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 449 , 12:47:14 Print

May I say thank you Khun Suthichai's Blog Talk with BOT Governor Khun Tarisa Wattanaket for the opportunity to listen. I am in America right now and it is wonderful to listen to important interviews in Thailand.

May I say, I do not understand the current criticism of BOT Governor Khun Tarisa. May I ask, since when is the BOT responsible for monetary policy of the U.S. Federal Reserve that could care less about the weak dollar especially when the weak dollar helps U.S. exports. The G7 has been saying that the USD is in for a slow managed decline for a long time who in Thailand has not heard this and has had plenty of time to prepare? Is the BOT responsible for the decline of the USD? The only thing that effects Thailand is the unregulated hedge funds which the U.S. and Britain are against regulation because the U.S. and Britain invented them and make a fortune with hedge funds which the rest of the G7 wants the hedge funds regulated to stablize the markets.

The IMF has said that the current BOT has been transparent in their policies. The current BOT is not the same as the secretive BOT of 1997 that bankrupted Thailand. As I understand the current criticism, is the BOT responsible for the strong baht against the USD. I believe the BOT has warned investors of the current market trends and has asked investors to prepare.
Thailand can compete globally if we listen to the market trends instead of blaming and fighting the trends. Most of the blame is coming from low skill labor intensive industries that wants the baht back to 37 or more. It does not matter if the baht is at 25 to one or 50 to one. What matters as an investor is to be on the right side at the right time of the business cycle that is what diversification and portfolios are for to spread the risk of market changes. The Japanese investors in Thailand has done this with their exports moving up the value added knowledge based scale as their exports are still strong. Even China is trying to move out of low skill labor intensive products that gives the image of Made in China as low quality and dangerous food exports. No country wants this image if you want to keep this kind of industry in Thailand why not make the baht pie 360 to one as was given to Japan 50 years ago at 360 baht to one dollar of course Thailand could even be competitive with China but as you know that is a fantasy world. Even Japan went through the low quality image in the 1960's and moved on to make the world's best quality value added products. Japan continues to move up the scale of advanced knowledge based economy when most of the world just wants to enter the knowledge based economy. Is it not Thailand's goal to move up the scale of a knowledge base economy or would you rather Thailand move back down the scale to cheap low skill economy.

The current criticism of BOT Governor Khun Tarisa seems like children blaming each other. I have listen to her policies and I agree with the IMF that they are clear and transparent. We should look toward the future of joining the Global economy where natural resources rich countries like the Middle East are no longer important when nano factories can snatch atoms out of the air and produce any product even oil to do this Thailand must move up the scale of a knowledge based economy.

Thank you

Tawan

Vientiane Laos TV Slideshow

2008-05-13T03:06:00.001-07:00

Weir Fan Club Trip to Nahkon Phanom

2008-05-13T02:54:00.001-07:00

My Trip to The Electric Battery of Asia Vientiane Laos

2008-05-11T02:15:00.000-07:00

My recent trip to Vientiane, Laos PDR to see the results of the official National goal of becoming, “The Electric Battery of Asia”, in a Regional Perspective of producing Hydropower the theoretical potential in the Mekong basin is estimated to be about 43,000 megawatts (MW). The Laos government is successfully exporting electricity to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia benefitting our regional Hub Udon Thani see chart left.

Udon Thani is not only benefiting from the growing amount of shoppers from Laos every month, (currently 160,000 per month) but in addition to providing us with power the railroad across the Friendship bridge increases intra-border trade with Udon Thani’s hub neighbors Laos, Vietnam and China. The investment in logistics in Udon Thani and Laos is continuing.

Vientiane is a nice, clean and safe city for tourist. The city is well designed with spacious avenues and will be easy to retro-fit in the future. NGOs’ are very active in the Capitol with World Bank personnel and their families all over the city. Trade specialist from the Asian Development Bank is busy developing an export industry textiles, metals, forestry products and handicrafts. It may work to redistribute income in the medium term but highly unlikely in the long term with Laos small population competing with abundant rural labor availability in China. Long-term will have the income trickledown effect from major natural resources in Laos much like the oil producing Middle East. Over the next five years Udon Thani will lose a lot of shoppers from Laos as cheap Chinese made goods become more available and an influx of Chinese entrepreneurs in the distribution and retail chain in Laos. Already cheap Chinese made motorcycles are all over the Capital along side of Toyota dealerships and construction everywhere.

A Toyota Dealership

Spacious and clean avenues

Guest House Vientiane, Laos

Guest Houses must have been very nice 20 years ago but today they are in need of renovation. No-air condition on the first floor where the restaurant is located but the rooms have air-conditioned. The menu is very basic although offering an international choice of Thai curries and stir-fry, Lao larb and yum and Western breakfast and sandwiches. Food and drink prices are similar to Thailand 110 – 150 baht per dish. Room rates are 700 – 1,200 baht per night at the exchange rate of USD 1 to 31 baht one baht was 270 kip Lao money. Service is excellent and always polite. Guest Houses of this age are similar to old guest houses in Nong Khai the border crossing at half the price. Western products are available and supermarkets are full of cheeses, bread and milk. Drinking Lao Beer during the day in the heat is not recommended, It is very strong even when cut with ice will give you a headache.

Hotel Vientiane, Laos.

Better hotels are available at the night-time walking area including the Laos Plaza Hotel. Shopping for fabrics in this area is very cheap and many Indian textile traders can be found.

Private Club Vientiane, Laos.

A private club complex complete with accommodation, art gallery and fine dining.

Department Store Vientiane, Laos.

The modern department store is a good way to escape the heat and to do some relax shopping during the day-time.

Morning Market Vientiane, Laos.

The entrance to the Morning Market here the Vietnamese Lao venders can be found. The Chinese venders are 5 kilometers away at the Indo China Market.

Private Van Transportation Vientiane, Laos.

The best way to travel around the city is in a group by van. Prices start at 300 – 400 baht plus 100 baht tip per day.

Pha That Luang in Vientiane, The National Symbol of Laos.

Patou Xai, The Arch of Vientiane, Laos.

Tawan Patou Xai.

Patuxay Park Vientiane, Laos.

Duty Free Thai/Laos Friendship Bridge Border Crossing

The most convenient shopping can be saved for the last day on your return to the border crossing at Duty Free a real Duty Free shopping paradise. Make sure you have plenty of time to look around the different shops it will save you 15 – 20% middleman markups when you find the source vender.

That is all for this trip to the Electric Battery of Asia.

Tawan Pornpang