Ink World

Jaunting off to a desert country in the Middle East may not be the biggest travel trend, but it is definitely growing. And the hottest destinations for such expeditions now is nowhere but the United Arab Emirates of which Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most well-known.

In recent years, however, rapidly growing Dubai may have outshone Abu Dhabi, the largest of the UAE's seven emirates, but Abu Dhabi's US$25 billion rescue late last year to bail Dubai out of a crisis that could have spun out of control is proof enough where the two neighbours stand.

And as far as tourism is concerned Abu Dhabi is a rising star, having been listed by leading travel guides Lonely Planet and Frommer's as the ''Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2010'' and ''Top 10 Destinations 2010'', respectively.

Of course, because of the shared cultural and geographical background, both emirates offer tourists a number of similar attractions, such as camels, desert safari, belly-dancing, not to mention numerous exciting development projects.

But unlike Dubai, Abu Dhabi's more conservative approach to progress has resulted in a city and population that is more relaxed and at peace with itself.

Besides, the emirate has never been branded a ''paradise for money-laundering'' or a ''criminal crossroads'', which is important considering ''responsible tourism'' is an evolving trend and travellers nowadays think more about reputation of their next holiday destination than just the attractions it offers them.

The clock in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, is about three hours behind Bangkok and, unlike Thailand, working days in the emirates are Saturday to Wednesday with Thursday and Friday being weekend holidays.

Want to know all about Rattanakosin town within one day or just a few hours? Then your destination is none other than the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, the latest edutainment centre that ensures all visitors get answers in their quest to know more about this oldest part of Bangkok - and have fun.

Located next to Mahajesadabodintr Pavilion Court in front of Wat Ratchanadda's Loha Prasat building on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, the majestic four-storey hall, which officially opens for public viewing on March 9, serves as a gateway to Rattanakosin's old-town quarters from Phan Fa Bridge.

As the name suggests, the hall, which is called "Hor Nitas Rattanakosin" in Thai, presents Rattanakosin town and its historical highlights, as well as traditions, arts and culture, beginning from its inauguration in 1782, when King Rama I established the Chakri Dynasty. It employs advanced interactive multimedia technology that helps make the learning process a joyful experience.

The project, which is in line with the Ratchadamnoen development master plan, began in 2008 when the Crown Property Bureau, the building's landlord, advised all tenants to leave the building, referred to as "Tower I", to pave way for renovations and be reused for edutainment purposes.

A team of experts took part in the project to make the exhibition lively and informative, namely Phaothong Thongchua, Prof MR Nangnoi Sakdisri and National Artist Supachai Chansuwan, among others.

At this stage, seven exhibition rooms are open for public viewing; two more will be ready in the next few years.

The first room, the "Grandeur Rattanakosin Room", tells the history of Rattanakosin from its very first day, while the second room, the "Prestige of the Kingdom Room", presents a state-of-the-art Grand Palace replica. With the help of multimedia techniques, visitors can get a glimpse of the Emerald Buddha images in three different costumes simultaneously before taking a stroll through the evening gate that imitates the palace's interior quarters.

The third room is the "Remarkable Entertainment Room", where visitors are made to feel like they are standing right in the middle of Sanam Luang, while witnessing the panoramic view of Thai traditional entertainment spectacles. And there is a section of khon masked dance that presents this classical performance from every angle. The khon section, supervised by National Artist Supachai Chansuwan, is supposed to help visitors follow the traditional masked dance performance more easily as they learn more of the story, Ramakien, and other different khon gestures through various characters. Apart from the masked dance there is also a puppetry corner where visitors can try their hand at animating the puppets.

The fourth room, the "Renowned Ceremonies Room", features some royal ceremonies that were revived by His Majesty the King, such as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony; visitors will be charmed by the image of the royal barge processions. The fifth, "Graceful Architectures", highlights Thai architecture in three main categories: palaces, temples and residences. Here, visitors will get a glimpse of several royal residences in the old town quarters, including Wang Voradis of Prince Damrong, among others. It also features commoners' houses in different architectural styles - traditional and those under Western architectural influence. In this particular section, each visitor can choose a travel arrangement, a gimmick of horse riding, boat rowing or a car that cruises down the old town section while taking in the splendid view of various styled homes.

The sixth, "Impressive Communities", presents the 12 original communities around the so-called Rattanakosin Island, including the Ban Krong Nok at Mahakan Fort community and Ban Bat (monks' bowl-makers' community). Through an interactive technique, visitors only need to step on a designated spot for each community, and an information board will be illuminated. By changing the spot, they can move on to another community.

The last is the "Sight-seeing Highlights", where many interesting places in the old-town quarters such as the Giant Swing and city parks are portrayed. With the use of an animation technique, the visitors can see themselves in those landmark areas.

Apart from the in-house exhibition, there will be added entertainment activities inside and outside the hall every month. Outdoor activities, which will primarily take place at the Mahajesadabodintr Pavilion Court, include flower shows, light and sound presentations, concerts as well as outdoor film screenings. And a library that holds rare books about Rattanakosin town can be found.

Upatham Nisitsukchareon, director of Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, pointed out that the hall is not exactly a museum, as this fine venue will also accommodate a variety of presentations and selected activities to make it more attractive.

More importantly, it will embrace the "night museum" concept in which doors will stay open until 8pm, he said.

Apart from the new multimedia technologies, Upatham said, the hall boasts "new knowledge" about Rattanakosin and related stories. Among them is the origin of the Emerald Buddha image. He suggests that the sacred image did not come from elsewhere, but "has belonged to Thailand from the very start".

Phaothong Thongchua said the suggestion comes from the fact that the Chiang Saen-styled image was found in Chiang Saen, which is now a district in Chiang Rai province. For that reason, it could be concluded the image had belonged to Thailand from the very beginning, before being taken away and eventually taken back to the land of Siam.

"This is an old fact that we hardly have discussions about," he said, when asked if the new information would trigger a big debate, since the discovery of the Emerald Buddha image in Chiang Saen or Chiang Rai in 1436 was way before the northern city fell under Siam.

Phaothong conceded that the conclusion was made within the present-day perspective, and that now Chiang Rai is a province of Thailand.

However, Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, director of The Crown Property Bureau, was well aware of the historical argument. He said some historical information presented in the Nitas Rattanakosin Hall is open to debate and may well be adjusted.

Relate Search: Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, Mahajesadabodintr Pavilion Court, Wat Ratchanadda Loha Prasat, Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, Phan Fa Bridge

Expectation hangs thick in the air as the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship begins its protest today - with security forces not predicting any increase in tensions until the red shirts gather in Bangkok over the weekend.

The first day of the so-called "million man march" is expected to proceed smoothly, according to a government security source, as UDD supporters gather at various points across the country.

"The most vulnerable period will be March 13 and 14 when the red shirts start arriving in town," the source said.

"It will be hard to control the crowds and there are high risks of them turning into angry mobs if provoked."

The source said mischievous groups might exploit the situation and manipulate it to create a state of anarchy.

Five groups would be watched closely, including those led by rogue army officer Khattiya Sawasdiphol and politicians who have close affiliations to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Security authorities are expecting the UDD's mass rally to end within a week, the source said.

"[UDD leaders] want a swift victory," the source said.

Maj Gen Khattiya said yesterday he would watch the demonstration from afar. He would only join the activities if the government used force against the protesters.

Security authorities estimate there will be between 70,000 and 100,000 red shirt demonstrators at the rally's peaks.

It is hard to predict the number of vehicles being mobilised but initial estimates suggest there will be 5,000.

UDD demonstrators will begin their separate rallies at their rendezvous points simultaneously at 12.12pm today. In Bangkok, protesters will march from Sanam Luang to the Royal Plaza.

It is estimated the UDD will mobilise about 5,000 guards to provide security at the rally site.

UDD key leader Jatuporn Prompan said yesterday the first and most likely vulnerable location for clashes between the red shirt demonstrators and security forces was at Pratunam Phra-in in Ayutthaya's Wang Noi district.

A police source said security authorities had been mobilised to block the red convoy and keep the demonstrators out of Bangkok.

"It is the very first spot where clashes could take place," Mr Jatuporn said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who chairs the peace-keeping centre, said security forces were 100% ready for the red shirts' rally.

He also called on protesters not to disrupt checkpoints which have been set up to screen them and their vehicles for weapons.

He said the Interior Ministry, the Justice Ministry and the National Security Council had set up a committee to monitor radio and television stations which were used to provoke demonstrators.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday he was ready to step down or dissolve the House of Representatives if those options could guarantee a greater good for the country and the public.

But he indicated he would not take these steps under pressure from the UDD.

"I never rule out stepping down or dissolving the House. But this kind of decision will be based on the country's and the public's interest," he said, responding to a motion on political volatility during the red shirt rally in parliament.

"The situation is calling for us to move forward and sustain the system, not to hold on to power."

Mr Abhisit insisted the enforcement of the Internal Security Act was to ensure a peaceful and orderly protest, not to restrict demonstrators' rights.

He said the government would not be provoked and fall victim to people who want to instigate violence. He also urged the public to exercise restraint.

The US embassy yesterday said it was concerned there might be attempts to incite violence at the rally.

"The United States believes that differences should be addressed through Thailand's democratic institutions and not through violence," the embassy said in its statement.

"We call on protesters and their leaders to avoid the use of violence and to exercise their right to assemble and protest peacefully, in accordance with the law."

Mr Abhisit, Mr Suthep and security agencies warned last week about possible acts of sabotage during the rally.

Their concern was underlined by foreign intelligence agencies monitoring arms movements. They met Thai intelligence officials to warn the government of the possibility of sabotage, a security source said.

Meanwhile, a group of opposition Puea Thai Party MPs yesterday called on the government to dissolve the lower house to avoid violence.

Surapong Towichakchaikul, of Chiang Mai, said a dissolution would end social divisiveness.

"Mr Abhisit knows that tens of thousands of people are protesting because they do not want this government any longer," Mr Surapong said.

"The mandate should be returned to the people."

Hospital condemned for "horrific" care

By Manager Online

4 March 2010 17:07

This photo retrieved March 2, 2010 is from www.fotosearch.com. Extra nurses were recruited and staff training was held to boost National Health Service hospital's service. By Tim Castle, March 4, 2010 LONDON (Reuters) - An independent inquiry said on Tuesday it had found "shocking" standards of care at a National Health Service hospital trust in the midlands, including patients being left unwashed for up to a month. The inquiry's chairman Robert Francis said many patients treated by the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust had "suffered horrific experiences that will haunt them and their loved ones for the rest of their lives." "I heard so many stories of shocking care ... The deficiencies at the trust were systemic, deep-rooted and too fundamental to brush off as isolated incidents," he said. Last year a damning report from the Healthcare Commission, an NHS watchdog, said it had found appalling standards of emergency care at the trust and said patients would have died as a consequence of the deficiencies it found. The chairman and chief executive of the trust, which runs an accident and emergency department at Stafford Hospital, stood down in March last year. Health Secretary Andy Burnham said the government and the trust's new board would accept all 18 of the inquiry's recommendations contained in a 900-page report. "(The) report lays bare a dysfunctional organisation at every level and appalling failures of basic care over the period between 2005 and March 2009," he said. "The care provided was totally unacceptable, and a fundamental breach of the values of the NHS." Burnham said for the vast majority of patients, the NHS provided a good standard of care.

A nurse chats with parents on the Parrot "neurosurgery" Ward at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and NHS Trust in central London July 4, 2008. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez "However, where things go wrong we must face up to them and do everything in our power to ensure that these events can never happen again." The inquiry said the trust's management had been "preoccupied with cost cutting, targets and processes" and lost sight of its fundamental responsibility to provide safe care. It said problems at the trust were made worse in 2007 when it was required to save 10 million pounds and decided to achieve this through cuts in staffing levels, which were already insignificant. The most basic elements of care were neglected, it said. "Calls for help to use the bathroom were ignored and patients were left lying in soiled sheeting and sitting on commodes for hours, often feeling ashamed and afraid. Patients were left unwashed, at times for up to a month," it said. "Staff failed to make basic observations and pain relief was provided late or in some cases not at all. "The standards of hygiene were at times awful, with families forced to remove used bandages and dressings from public areas and clean toilets themselves for fear of catching infections." Antony Sumara, the trust's new chief executive, said that since last March the trust had recruited extra nurses, revised its complaints procedure and increased staff training. "We are determined to continue on our journey of improvement until we have achieved all that needs to be done to provide the care our patients and their families deserve," he said. (Editing by Steve Addison)

Small is beautiful: Japan's hand-made electric cars

By Manager Online

4 March 2010 14:04

Toyama, JAPAN : This photo taken on February 24, 2010 shows an environment-friendly car built by hand by a small family-run business at their garage-workshop in the snowy foothills of northwestern Toyama prefecture being driven on February 24, 2010. While auto manufacturing giants spend millions to develop environmentally-friendly electric cars, one Japanese company has taken a more low-key approach, crafting hand-made "green" cars. AFP PHOTO / Karyn POUPEE

by Karyn Poupee, March 4, 2010
TOYAMA, Japan (AFP) - While auto manufacturing giants spend millions to develop environmentally-friendly electric cars, one Japanese company has taken a more low-key approach, crafting hand-made "green" cars.

Takeoka Jidosha Kogei may be the antithesis of the world's Hondas and Nissans. The family-run business makes its cars from scratch in a garage workshop in the snowy foothills in the northwest of the country.

There are no industrial robots or assembly lines in sight. Instead just a dozen mechanics crafting each model by hand, right up to the finishing touch of adding a set of beady headlights to their "Milieu" range.

The cars seem to owe much of their design to Japan's manga cartoon tradition -- their one-seater T-10 seems barely large enough for an adult driver, with just enough extra room left for a small pet, as requested by customers.

The box-shaped two-door car -- which is dubbed the "Eco-beagle" and comes in green, white, red and canary yellow -- has a relatively affordable price tag of 856,000 yen (9,600 dollars).

Company head Manabu Takeoka said he wants to change the image of minicars, which he said "are generally viewed as cars for the elderly, or for drivers who had their normal licences removed due to drunken driving".

"We've improved the shape of our latest model to make it cuter, to attract younger clients," he said.

Like other electric cars, it runs on a lithium-ion battery and can be charged from a conventional wall socket.

The latest model can drive up to 70 kilometres (45 miles) at 60 kilometres per hour when fully charged.

Takeoka's cars are aimed at rural households, which often have more than one car, as opposed to the cities, where more people opt for public transport to avoid the cost of parking.

The Takeoka lineup includes six models made from lightweight fibre-reinforced plastic, ranging from one- to four-seater cars. They measure less than three meters (10 feet) and weigh between 300 and 740 kilograms (660 to 1,600 pounds).

"People who buy our cars use them primarily to run errands or go shopping a few hundred metres from their homes. They don't need to charge the cars on the road if they already did so at home," said Takeoka.

Takeoka began its business in 1981 by building minicars for the disabled.

It started developing the electric cars in the 1990s with help from the local electricity company. Nearby Toyama University has since come on board, helping design the models.

The company also makes electric minicars specially designed for railway companies to inspect tunnels.

The electric cars may be a novelty, but they are unlikely to take the world by storm anytime soon, with sales currently at around 100 vehicles per year.

Asked whether there are plans to ramp up production, Takeoka exclaimed: "The company cannot build that many!"