63- Retune a TV using a foreign menu
One of our regular travel tips is to always retune your hotel TV as soon as you land, because, guaranteed, some before you will have had a fiddle and made a complete pig's arse of it. Find the main menu, keep fingers crossed it's in English (if not, that's first priority, setting the OSD to UK) and then let it auto-scan while you unpack.
Voilà, a full range of programmes so you don't miss out on anything.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Star Gazing
62- Spot a celebrity in public
Not that easy when you're in a continent where all the famous people are unrecognisable to you. However, we do get a load of camera teams coming to the Imm for photo shoots and interviews and according to the learned Mr S, we've had some real big hitters downstairs.
Best of the lot though was seeing the current PM, Abhisit, just wandering around the shopping mall at Paragon last year. No fuss no fanfare and barely any visible bodyguards. A real down to earth chap.
I also think we saw Chuck Norris drive past in a wedding car in Gdansk, Poland but it surely couldn't have been the real deal, rather a look-a-like...
And I'm not kidding either, it was the spit of the man. Honest.
Not that easy when you're in a continent where all the famous people are unrecognisable to you. However, we do get a load of camera teams coming to the Imm for photo shoots and interviews and according to the learned Mr S, we've had some real big hitters downstairs.
Best of the lot though was seeing the current PM, Abhisit, just wandering around the shopping mall at Paragon last year. No fuss no fanfare and barely any visible bodyguards. A real down to earth chap.
I also think we saw Chuck Norris drive past in a wedding car in Gdansk, Poland but it surely couldn't have been the real deal, rather a look-a-like...
And I'm not kidding either, it was the spit of the man. Honest.
Much Appreciated
61- Say thank you with flowers/gift to someone who has helped you
It's always nice to say thanks, particularly for me who is comfortable to criticise and complain when things do not go as they should. Our most recent gratitude went out to Sonia, our contact at the ANZ.
We arranged a card and some chocolates to be delivered to her via Duncan, whom we'd met up at Savong's School. Needless to say, it went down well and the look of surprise (as reported back by our man with a mission) was worth everything.
It's always nice to say thanks, particularly for me who is comfortable to criticise and complain when things do not go as they should. Our most recent gratitude went out to Sonia, our contact at the ANZ.
We arranged a card and some chocolates to be delivered to her via Duncan, whom we'd met up at Savong's School. Needless to say, it went down well and the look of surprise (as reported back by our man with a mission) was worth everything.
Q & A: Thailand election
From the BBC:
Mr Abhisit's main rival is Yingluck Shinawatra, the younger sister of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. She is standing for the Pheu Thai Party. Her candidacy was announced relatively late in the campaign, and seems to have caught the government off guard. Her non-confrontational style and photogenic campaign posturing have been much commented on in the Thai media. Her critics, though, fear she and her party are a proxy for Mr Thaksin's continuing ambitions.
There is an array of smaller parties, which will be involved in horse-trading should the two main parties not get a simple majority.
The real battle is not one of policy. Mr Thaksin's influence has loomed large throughout the campaign. He is a deeply divisive figure. His fans - many of them in poor rural areas - hail him as the only politician who really addressed their concerns; his detractors say he is a dangerous corrupt demagogue.
Ms Yingluck has not disguised her affection for her brother, but claims she would be her own woman if elected. Mr Abhisit has made increasingly bleak predictions about what would happen if Mr Thaksin's allies were voted back in - talking of unrest and instability. Mr Thaksin has given a series of interviews from his home in Dubai, trying to placate his enemies.
But analysts have expressed fear that a close election result, followed by the kind of opaque horse-trading that Thai politics has become infamous for, could ruin the credibility of any future government. The worry is that either one of the partisan groups of activists - the yellow shirts or the red shirts - could once again take to the streets to try to impose their will. Alternatively, the army may decide to step in and decide who takes power.
Thailand is preparing for its first general election since 2007. The county has a long history of political protests and military coups, but after a relatively peaceful campaign, there is hope that this election could finally provide stability.
What's at stake?
About 47 million people are eligible to vote. They will choose from 3,832 candidates representing 42 parties. In reality, only a handful of parties will win seats. There are 500 seats up for grabs in the House of Representatives. If any party wins more than 250 seats, they will be able to form a majority government. If no party wins a majority, they will have to form a coalition.Who are the main players?
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is once again standing for the Democrat Party - Thailand's oldest political party. But recent history is against him: the Democrats have not won a general election in almost two decades. He came to power after a ruling by the Constitutional Court banned his predecessor for electoral fraud. Although Thailand has avoided many of the ill effects of the global financial crisis under his stewardship, and he faced down huge protests, his critics portray him as an uncharismatic technocrat.Mr Abhisit's main rival is Yingluck Shinawatra, the younger sister of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. She is standing for the Pheu Thai Party. Her candidacy was announced relatively late in the campaign, and seems to have caught the government off guard. Her non-confrontational style and photogenic campaign posturing have been much commented on in the Thai media. Her critics, though, fear she and her party are a proxy for Mr Thaksin's continuing ambitions.
There is an array of smaller parties, which will be involved in horse-trading should the two main parties not get a simple majority.
What are the main issues?
Both parties have similar-sounding policies and priorities. They have each promised to raise the minimum wage; improve transport connections to the north of the country; make healthcare more widely available and affordable; and continue to fund microfinance schemes in rural areas.The real battle is not one of policy. Mr Thaksin's influence has loomed large throughout the campaign. He is a deeply divisive figure. His fans - many of them in poor rural areas - hail him as the only politician who really addressed their concerns; his detractors say he is a dangerous corrupt demagogue.
Ms Yingluck has not disguised her affection for her brother, but claims she would be her own woman if elected. Mr Abhisit has made increasingly bleak predictions about what would happen if Mr Thaksin's allies were voted back in - talking of unrest and instability. Mr Thaksin has given a series of interviews from his home in Dubai, trying to placate his enemies.
What is the most likely outcome?
Both main parties have agreed to respect the result of the election and allow the party with the most seats to try to form a government first. According to the opinion polls, Pheu Thai is likely to win most seats, but not a majority. The party would then have 30 days after parliament reconvenes to build a coalition. If they fail, then the Democrats would try.But analysts have expressed fear that a close election result, followed by the kind of opaque horse-trading that Thai politics has become infamous for, could ruin the credibility of any future government. The worry is that either one of the partisan groups of activists - the yellow shirts or the red shirts - could once again take to the streets to try to impose their will. Alternatively, the army may decide to step in and decide who takes power.
Ladies' Update
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Japan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 6 |
 England | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
 Mexico | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
 New Zealand | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brazil | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
 Norway | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
 Australia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
 Equatorial Guinea | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The Adjustment Bureau
Our filum of the night and well worth a viewing. The plot from IMDb:
Surely it would have been even neater to name the third Harold?
Do we control our destiny, or do unseen forces manipulate us? A man glimpses the future Fate has planned for him and realizes he wants something else. To get it, he must pursue across, under and through the streets of modern-day New York the only woman he's ever loved. On the brink of winning a seat in the U.S. Senate, ambitious politician David Norris (Damon) meets beautiful contemporary ballet dancer Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt) - a woman like none he's ever known. But just as he realizes he's falling for her, mysterious men conspire to keep the two apart. David learns he is up against the agents of Fate itself - the men of The Adjustment Bureau - who will do everything in their considerable power to prevent David and Elise from being together. In the face of overwhelming odds, he must either let her go and accept a predetermined path...or risk everything to defy Fate and be with her.
Trivia
The names of the three main members of the Adjustment Bureau are Thompson, Richardson, and Harry: a play on the term Tom, Dick, and Harry, which is slang for any anonymous persons.Surely it would have been even neater to name the third Harold?
Shaping Up
Sweden and the United States are into the quarter-finals of the women's World Cup after maintaining their 100% records at this year's tournament. Sweden's second straight 1-0 success in Group C defeated North Korea who are now eliminated, and the United States brushed aside Colombia, who are also out, 3-0.
No Idea
A parliamentary inquiry wants Fifa to conduct an independent review into the corruption claims that have dogged the organisation, according to BBC Sport. Football's governing body has been criticised for its response to the 2022 World Cup bribery allegations. Fifa is also criticised for its handling of corruption claims in their recent presidential elections.
The Culture, Media and Sport select committee's report is due to be published on 5th July, which will criticise Fifa's "contemptuous" and "dismissive" response to evidence submitted to the committee by the Sunday Times which accused two Fifa members, Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma, of asking for bribes to back Qatar's 2022 World Cup bid.
However, the ethics committee decided allegations of vote-trading between Spain and Portugal, who were bidding for the 2018 World Cup, and Qatar, who were bidding for 2022, were unfounded.
The Culture, Media and Sport select committee's report is due to be published on 5th July, which will criticise Fifa's "contemptuous" and "dismissive" response to evidence submitted to the committee by the Sunday Times which accused two Fifa members, Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma, of asking for bribes to back Qatar's 2022 World Cup bid.
However, the ethics committee decided allegations of vote-trading between Spain and Portugal, who were bidding for the 2018 World Cup, and Qatar, who were bidding for 2022, were unfounded.
Does anyone even think for a moment that Sepptic Splatter will even consider the committee's findings? Fifa has always stated it will not accept any interference from MPs and yet here we are with puff up wind bags demanding all sorts of things.
What a waste of time, effort, money and energy.
Wladimir Klitschko beats David Haye
By all accounts not a boxing classic but Klitschko sneaks it on a unanimous points decision. The three judges scored the fight 117-109, 118-108 and 116-110, all in Klitschko's favour.
Haye, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, falls to 25 wins and two defeats, while Klitschko, who has not lost since 2004, improves to 56 wins and three defeats. Rumour has that Haye will now retire as announced, before his 31st birthday- due in (13th) October this year.
Haye, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, falls to 25 wins and two defeats, while Klitschko, who has not lost since 2004, improves to 56 wins and three defeats. Rumour has that Haye will now retire as announced, before his 31st birthday- due in (13th) October this year.
How the Mighty Fall?
Rossi on his "home" track and showing how poor the Ducati is compared to the Japanese marques at Mugello. Here's how they line up later today:
Italian MotoGP first practice times:
1. M Simoncelli (Ita) Gresini Honda 1'48.987
2. C Stoner (Aus) Repsol Honda 1'49.027
3. A Dovizioso (Ita) Repsol Honda 1'49.088
4. J Lorenzo (Spn) Yamaha 1'49.251
5. B Spies (USA) Yamaha 1'49.364
6. C Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'49.810
7. D Pedrosa (Spn) Repsol Honda 1'50.104
8. N Hayden (USA) Ducati 1'50.203
9. H Aoyama (Jpn) Gresini Honda 1'50.629
10. A Bautista (Spn) Suzuki 1'50.658
11. C Crutchlow (GB) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'50.683
12. R De Puniet (Fr) Pramac Ducati 1'50.729
13. V Rossi (Ita) Ducati 1'50.729
14. H Barbera (Spn) Aspar Ducati 1'51.153
15. T Elias (Spn) LCR Honda 1'51.868
16. K Abraham (Cze) Cardion Ducati 1'51.876
Italian MotoGP first practice times:
1. M Simoncelli (Ita) Gresini Honda 1'48.987
2. C Stoner (Aus) Repsol Honda 1'49.027
3. A Dovizioso (Ita) Repsol Honda 1'49.088
4. J Lorenzo (Spn) Yamaha 1'49.251
5. B Spies (USA) Yamaha 1'49.364
6. C Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'49.810
7. D Pedrosa (Spn) Repsol Honda 1'50.104
8. N Hayden (USA) Ducati 1'50.203
9. H Aoyama (Jpn) Gresini Honda 1'50.629
10. A Bautista (Spn) Suzuki 1'50.658
11. C Crutchlow (GB) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'50.683
12. R De Puniet (Fr) Pramac Ducati 1'50.729
13. V Rossi (Ita) Ducati 1'50.729
14. H Barbera (Spn) Aspar Ducati 1'51.153
15. T Elias (Spn) LCR Honda 1'51.868
16. K Abraham (Cze) Cardion Ducati 1'51.876
If I Had a Choice
I'd be rooting for Novak Djokovic to beat Nadal in today's men's Final.
Again, not overly bothered though.
Again, not overly bothered though.
The Less Shouty Burd Wins?
I have no idea if the Czech, Petra Kvitova, has a more shrill grunt than Maria Sharapova, but she takes the Wimbledon crown 6-3. 6-4.
Yawn.
Yawn.
Election Day
Kicks off today and already we get the feeling something is going to change.
I don't voice opinion on Thai politics and while I certainly like Abhisit, I have a feeling we may soon be witnessing Thailand's first lady PM. The fact she is also Thaksin's sister could make life very interesting over the next few months.
Not a time to be leaving, I'd love to be around to see how this pans out.
I don't voice opinion on Thai politics and while I certainly like Abhisit, I have a feeling we may soon be witnessing Thailand's first lady PM. The fact she is also Thaksin's sister could make life very interesting over the next few months.
Not a time to be leaving, I'd love to be around to see how this pans out.
Quote/Unquote
"In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in poetry, it's the exact opposite."
- Paul Dirac
Six Months and Counting
The most common request made to Santa by children aged 3 to 7 is a puppy, while the most common request by children ages 8 to 11 is a bicycle.
I just want to be back at the Imm for Christmas this year.
I just want to be back at the Imm for Christmas this year.
It Does, However
Mean we are totally potless and have no spare funds in case of emergency. Still, what can happen- we're off to the UK in under a fortnight and have enough to see us through.
And if that is not the kiss of death, I don't know what is.
But it was certainly worth the risk of moving the money over to Thailand early.
And if that is not the kiss of death, I don't know what is.
But it was certainly worth the risk of moving the money over to Thailand early.
How This All Kicked Off
You will have noticed that I've been banging on about recent financial "rewards" but the reason for that is that we got such an incredible deal yesterday.
We tend to keep an eye on exchange rates at least on a weekly basis and if we're due, certainly as a daily routine. Key figures to monitor are usually the pound to the New Zealand Dollar and the Thai Baht and we're comfortable with the average prices by now.
To cut a long story short, we reckon on THB 22 to the NZ buck and if it goes up, we sometimes buy early and leave the cash in Thailand for our next visit. Yesterday we got THB 24.4 to the Dollar (yes, you will get better deals for real bank exchange rates but they are never for mere mortals) and by sending the cash over six months early, we have managed to make enough to put up the m-i-l for a fortnight at the hotel.
Now that is definitely not chicken feed.
We tend to keep an eye on exchange rates at least on a weekly basis and if we're due, certainly as a daily routine. Key figures to monitor are usually the pound to the New Zealand Dollar and the Thai Baht and we're comfortable with the average prices by now.
To cut a long story short, we reckon on THB 22 to the NZ buck and if it goes up, we sometimes buy early and leave the cash in Thailand for our next visit. Yesterday we got THB 24.4 to the Dollar (yes, you will get better deals for real bank exchange rates but they are never for mere mortals) and by sending the cash over six months early, we have managed to make enough to put up the m-i-l for a fortnight at the hotel.
Now that is definitely not chicken feed.
Even More Cash
Another positive- we also keep forgetting about our monthly interest from our savings account in New Zealand. Once more, it's hardly a colossal amount, but it was enough to make a foreign transfer free of charge, so we're definitely getting free banking at the moment. :o)
More Cash
Only small sums, but we also found out yesterday that the transfer fee with our ANZ account to a foreign destination has gone down. Originally NZ$25, it's reduced to NZ$20, which is about a tenner. Compare that to what we get stiffed in the UK; £25 and you wonder how this is reasonable?
Why can New Zealand charge well under half for the same transaction we get fleeced for in the UK?
Seriously, how is this justified? Oh, I know. Rip Off, Britain.
Why can New Zealand charge well under half for the same transaction we get fleeced for in the UK?
Seriously, how is this justified? Oh, I know. Rip Off, Britain.
Interesting Times
As we have no doubt mentioned before, foreigners do not get any kind of interest on the money they deposit in their Thai bank accounts. Usually one is fortunate to simply be able to even open such an account, but to our amazement, we got about THB 90 at the end of last year.
OK, a couple of quid is hardly much to cheer about but it was unexpected, it's better to have it than have it taken away and more interestingly, we earned more in our Thai account in a few months than we did the entire year with our UK bank account.
Si imagine our surprise to find out that we recently got another interest payment when we checked yesterday. At just under THB 500 (around a tenner) we reckon this is a bi-annual payment and we're more than chuffed.
Again, not for the sums involved, more simply just because it's a total bonus. :o)
OK, a couple of quid is hardly much to cheer about but it was unexpected, it's better to have it than have it taken away and more interestingly, we earned more in our Thai account in a few months than we did the entire year with our UK bank account.
Si imagine our surprise to find out that we recently got another interest payment when we checked yesterday. At just under THB 500 (around a tenner) we reckon this is a bi-annual payment and we're more than chuffed.
Again, not for the sums involved, more simply just because it's a total bonus. :o)
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