Rogie

I confess I dashed off that comment off the top of my head. Thank you for putting me right.

I'm mystified too! Here is Kemp's explanation: I think that gives us a clue about how people in general regard this equation. A sort of perverse thrill at the sheer incomprehensibility of it. I was lucky enough to see Jeff Forshaw giving a talk in my local pub recently. "So what" you might say "who he?". Well he's written a book with Brian Cox called Why does E = mc2? (I'm not clever like Fountainhall, can't figure out how to do a superscript, so not much hope for me!). There was a good review (see link at bottom of page) in the Guardian. Here is part of it: Getting to grips with Einstein's famous equation can be a bit of an assault course for the novice, but, says Alok Jha, the reader is in supremely capable hands with Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw That review was written about a year ago. I haven't read the book although I have been tempted to give it a go. That's kind of comforting to know it's hard, that we're not really expected to grasp all the maths. I wonder if part of it is the frustration we feel in that, whereas we don't expect recent advances in science - those at the cutting edge - to be understandable by the layman, we think we ought to be able to understand an equation that was formulated 100 years ago. After all we understand Galileo, and we understand the double helix, so why not Einstein? http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/oct/18/einstein-relativity-science-book-review

I think Europe gets off pretty lightly really when it comes to that sort of thing. Hurricanes are rare and although we certainly get floods they are (other than countries like Holland and Belgium, the so-called Low Countries) usually due to unpredictable weather patterns. We do have earthquakes but they are mild in comparison to those happening in countries on the well-known fault lines. Other than man-made disasters (wars, famines, disease, Chernobyl, etc) apart from volcanoes (eg. Vesuvius) I cannot think of any really major natural disasters that have happened in Europe. No doubt there were plenty I haven't thought of, or am unaware of!

It's always useful to review past topics, I am sure others would agree that contributors to this forum have wide-ranging interests and experiences they like telling us about. I agree pictures add an extra dimension. One of the best examples is the one already mentioned by Fountainhall, photos of real people, although when these people are in the public domain there is this risk: But back to that saying about words versus pictures: I do agree there are times when that saying holds true. As an example, I've included a link at the bottom to a series of photos that recently came to light. I will not say any more here, other than to say they take the breath away and render mere words virtually useless. The other one that come to mind is photos used to illustrate places our members have visited. At their most sophisticated some of these travels posts can resemble mini-guide books with the photos nicely complementing the travelogue. Another good use of photos were those rather 'graphic' ones in the recent Hamburger thread. Hardly eye-candy, but seeing those hunks of meat up close was a highlight for me! If I may, I think I'll broaden that well-known saying, a “photo is worth a 1,000 words”, to summarise the 'rivalry' between words and pictures/photos, how they can happily survive independently and under what circumstances, in addition to those already mentioned, they combine to best effect. Throughout the ages man has strived to render words superfluous by creating beautiful objects, be they practical such as cathedrals or purely of artistic intent, mainly sculpture and painting . Leonardo and Michaelangelo step forward. Sadly, IMO modern painters largely have struggled for relevance in the teeth of the gale that is photography. Whether cradling his enormous 35mm Nikon with telescopic lenses or a modern iPhone, the serious photographer is always looking for the 'perfect' picture - the one that people remember, the one that makes him famous. But for the rest of us, photography can be enormous fun - digital had really expanded its versatility, even if all we do is take a lot more photos - and those we do choose to develop cost peanuts. No doubt man has always enjoyed hearing the sound of his own voice, telling tales, winning arguments, wooing his beloved, etc. So maybe the evolution of writing was a step backwards. The oral tradition was lost. But for us, life would seem empty without the written word. Words, whether they be labouriously compiled ancient writings or churned out by modern-day printing presses, have strongly fought their corner and although much is, to other than an enthusiast, pretty forgettable, there will always be a market for a Shakespeare, a W H Auden or an Isherwood. Hot on the heels of the discovery of photography came the moving pictures or movies. I don't think anybody would claim those early black and white films with their jerky camera work would ever be worth a thousand words - just a few words were needed, using captions, to get over to the audience what was supposed to be happening. The early silent films were soon superseded by the 'talkie'. Nowadays state-of-the-art film making combines excellent sound quality with stunning photography, just as those (to us) amateurish 'home movies' recorded back in the 50's and 60's on 8 mm or Super-8 have given way to a host of modern choices within the budget and capabilities of almost anybody, so that any 'amateur' these days can produce very good results. Just to wrap things up, here is an apt quote somebody made recently, following the death of Steve Jobs: http://www.prachatai3.info/english/node/2814

That's a great photo - could be just about any father and son family portrait. I think I can read into that photo and begin to understand how the relationship lasted for over 30 years. I've no idea what sort of society existed in Santa Monica in the early post-war years, I've never been there, but even if there was a liberated atmosphere to the place it must have been difficult for gay teenagers to really feel they fitted in. As far as I'm aware Bachardy was a normal healthy young American - intelligent, well-educated and I imagine from a respectable family. So another of my equations: awkward but receptive young man + experienced older man + straight-laced society = good chance of success (because not that many options) whereas in Thailand: street-wise young man from disadvantaged background + experienced older man + sexually enlightened society = poor chance of success (because so many options) Please note that I am aware of many examples of relationships in Thailand that are working and are successful (in a recent thread on the Main Forum quite a few of our members told of their experiences) but I think the consensus would be that sadly they are in the minority. So when Thaiworthy asks: I would argue the situation in the West now is more like the Thai equation. What the two different equations do not factor in is money! It is probably taken as read that the Thai equation assumes that. I know that as a wealthy high status individual Isherwood might well seem quite appealing to somebody with Bachardy's background, but I'd be surprised if money was a motivating factor. Nowadays I believe it would be. So our 'street-wise young man from disadvantaged background' in any Western country is hustling for money, and he doesn't even have to be 'disadvantaged' - the money is good so plenty of college-educated young men may feel tempted too. When young men in the West can find plenty of partners their own age and when those who do have a relationship with an older man are mainly hustlers, I would put any modern-day relationship comparable to Isherwood + Bachardy into the 'poor chance of success' category.

That was brave of you! By the way I don't believe you, I simply do not believe that bit about the 'little' men. All the Danish men I've seen have been e-n-o-r-m-o-u-s (**). . .Eastern European in size like the Olympic shot-putters of old, but a lot nicer, without the communist shackles. No, one thing's for sure, they don't do little men in Denmark. They do things differently there and isn't that wonderful. . . (**) no, they didn't eat all the pies, or the cookies, they're just big in a nice way, as in tall and imposing

Maybe those crazy Danes will appoint a Fat-finder General, maybe kids'll be given a hot-line to rat on their parents, maybe doctors and hospitals will refuse to treat their fellow countrymen whose diets are suspect. . . Seriously now, I hate this sort of thing - taxing certain foods some busy-body has deemed 'unhealthy'. Welcome to the Nanny State, and I thought Denmark was an enlightened country, free of many of the hang-ups that bother most other countries. Britain is a faithful export market for the Danes. We buy lots of their bacon and tons and tons of their butter eg. Lurpak. If those delicious cookies are deemed 'unhealthy' by those over-zealous Danes, the company that makes them might decide the best way for them to compensate for the inevitable decline in their home market, due to the 'fat tax', will be to export more, so I think your survival is a non-issue Thaiworthy.

Yes, those that live in glass houses . . . I'm in danger of getting out of my depth here but I'll give it a go: It looks to me as though the writer of that opinion piece is using the Chiang Mai episode to make the point that some of the things that have happened in Thailand, including Section 112, are the sort of thing that could have happened in another country and another time. has come under fire from: and: and: who makes an interesting comparison from history: I think we all know where the rather outspoken army chief stands on this, as well as other things, so you can make your own mind up whether his objection is a fair one. As for the Lawyers Council, many people think they show too much sympathy to the coup-makers rather than supporting true democracy. http://www.asiaviews.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32098:prayuth-slams-nitirat-proposals&catid=1:headlines&Itemid=2 If criticism leads to well-argued debate that has to be encouraged.

Bhumibol Dam One of the Seven Wonders of Thailand http://www.7thaiwonders.com/bhumibol-dam.html

It's fascinating to speculate about how tourism might look in the next few decades. If the Chinese are like the Japanese, polite and high-spending, they'll be most welcome anywhere, and get anywhere and everywhere they surely shall. What will it be like for tourists from small countries? Take Britons for example. We are used to going to foreign places, the 'costas' in Spain being the most famous, and seeing signs in English and being welcomed by locals speaking our own tongue! The weather's better, other than that it's almost like we never left home! Tourists from other small countries, where the language is not widely spoken outside that country, have to either learn a few words of the local language of the country they are visiting or get by in English (no hardship for many as they probably speak decent English anyway, Scandinavians for example). We've seen this already of course, signs in Japanese and Russian for example, so I think what we will see more of in relation to Chinese visitors is countries which attract large numbers of tourists will go down the 'make the Chinese feel they've never left home' route. So again, using us limeys as an example, we'll have to get used to places where (Mandarin) Chinese rules, both spoken and written. If a Brit wants to feel 'wanted' he'll have to either learn a few words of Chinese or the local language. Better start now . . . B)

Now that'd be worth stopping off for in one of their places in Maine or one of the other maritime states or PEI or anywhere it's fresh straight off the boat. McChien in an up-scale eatery in Korea or Vietnam ought to be a safe bet

That is presumably the official line too. I would agree with your comment Fountainhall that you find it "much too hard to believe" that Hitler is seen by Thai students as representing a strong 'conventional' leader. I would think that although there was a girl dressed up as Hitler, the 'fancy dress' sports day parade was more to do with everyone having the chance to dress up and show off their costumes. As Thaiworthy has already said: So I would argue it was less about Hitler and much more the military aspect which I am prepared to believe struck a chord with those students (and the teachers too assuming they must have had an inkling of what was going to happen). As that piece in the BP said, the "military is over-glorified as defender of the Thais". That is unfortunate of course. Although citizens of any country want to think their military can protect them from their enemies in times of crisis, in Thailand the military's influence in daily life has been enormous. Apart from their obvious involvement in Thai affairs since 1932 right up to the present day, the army loom large in Thailand in other ways. For example the Preah Vihear temple stand-off with Cambodia. Even politicians love to dress up! How often do we see them in their lovely white uniforms?

That's a great feeling, and now you've done the spade work, you can wake up and smell the coffee (or the roses if you're ever down in Provence!) RE: The Euro. I don't know if your keyboard is the same as mine, if I type 'Ctrl Alt 4', that brings up the € symbol.

I've tried to make sense of this but I have to admit I can't, I don't know enough about Thai society and the education system. The following opinion piece in the Bangkok Post sheds some light on it, at least for me: Here is part of it: The piece is entitled: Nazism in our brainwashed upbringing http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/258781/nazism-in-our-brainwashed-upbringing But I'm still confused, would Thai students see Hitler and his Nazis as 'defiance of authority' figures, or as a strong 'conventional' leader, the sort Thais are brought up to look up to?

Fuhrer furore! Thai student Nazi dress-up day causes outrage Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2042097/Student-Nazi-dress-day-causes-outrage-Thailand.html#ixzz1ZAp4ywkF

Food Poisoning from Marine Toxins http://www.medic8.com/travel/marine-food-poisoning.htm

Continuing in light-hearted vein . . . See link for 3 other reasons Men Can't Wear White Socks! http://uk.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip/tip2.html

Correction: The Thailand ambassador and his wife were introduced to you.

If the food you are given on a flight has gone bad then you're just unlucky. In an ideal world 'luck' would have nothing to do with it, but maybe airline food is that bit more likely to cause an upset than when you're eating on terra firma. I came across a useful tip on Bao Bao's Blog. On his entry for the 14/9/11 he wrote "wash your hands before eating, as everything you've touched along the way has been previously touched by a thousand others", and in the entry linked below he gives some general advice: Staying Well On Vacation: Planes http://khunbaobao.blogspot.com/2010/04/staying-well-on-vacation-planes.html

Sounds promising! Might they be able to knock Chase-LB's ladyboys off top billing?

Yes, there are times when tenacity is a useful virtue.

Not being a sophisticated photographer, I have not heard of this. 'i' assume from the 'i' prefix it is something to do with Apple, bit beyond that 'i' am clueless! I am impressed - marvel is an appropriate word to use to describe, going from your photos. As an aside: I notice if I access the message board without signing in that the description of the individual photos appears in lieu of the photos themselves. So for example it might say "Kremlin Square" but this useful information is lost when you sign on to view the photos. Behaviour would have been a better word for me to have used regarding my reference to the current American ambassador. No doubt she is an intelligent woman. Here is a satirical link to the situation I referred to in my previous post. http://notthenation.com/2011/08/us-embassy-disappointed-that-joe-gordon-not-blonde-young-female/ As for the Thailand ambassador attending a concert in Moscow to hear the Russian conductor I agree he would be ill-advised to attend if the situation you refer to were applicable. You spotted him and no doubt so did may others. There cannot have been many non-Caucasians in the audience (but I am happy to be told otherwise).

One of the perks of being an ambassador no doubt. Was that business or pleasure I wonder? I also wonder if ambassadors are necessarily that intelligent. The current American one in Thailand has come under flak recently over her handling of the Joe Gordon case and an earlier one Ralph Boyce was revealed in Wikileaks cables around the time of the 2006 coup to have shown clear bias in favour of the monarchist establishment against the Thaksin government. Social skills may be lacking in many Russians, but are a pre-requisite for Ambassadors. But beyond that it seems they are a pretty mixed bunch, keeping a low profile and trying not to tread on any toes.

If you're as ahem - well-built, as your avatar Moses I guess the rush hour could get a mite tight Very interesting post, Moses. If you've lived there for nearly 20 years that covers almost the entire period since the old USSR disintegrated. What are the main changes to Russian society, its people (their attitudes, behaviour, aspirations etc) you've seen in that time?

Enjoy your time in Cambodia, Phnom Penh, or wherever you decide to go Motel69. I like it there but unlike you I go for the usual tourist things like museums, temples, general sight-seeing (making sure to take lots of photos) and shopping, but the sort of shopping I like is wandering around traditional markets rather than super-modern malls. If the night-life is slow that doesn't bother me at all. Do you have a hotel lined up? ______________________________________________________________ Have you considered Taipei (Taiwan)? There are some good threads on the Gay Asia Forum. Here is one that may interest you, whether for this year or sometime in the future. I haven't visited Taiwan but I believe the air fares from Bangkok are reasonable. http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/7344-taiwan-gay-parade-2011-dates-announced/ _______________________________________________________________ After I posted I noticed a new topic on the main forum which I'd missed earlier - what I'd read as Taiwan update is actually Tawan update!