The Punchline Comedy Club from the UK was founded by John Moorhead in 1994, - his personal relationships with simply the best comedians in the entertainment business, allows him to select comedians to ensure that every show meets all demands. The Punchline Comedy Club shows were an immediate success, attracting enthusiastic audiences to entertainment by renowned comedians from the UK, USA, Australia and Canada.
All the comedians are recognized and highly respected for their TV, theatre and live appearances. They are leading performers of all nationalities who have had extensive experience on stage and on television, some with their own TV shows! An example of quality performers is the cast of “Whose Line is it Anyway?”
The Punchline Comedy Club was the first in Asia and is simply the best in Asia! The Punchline comedy show is a two hour extravaganza featuring three different comedians each event and hosted by John Moorehead, with an interval half way through for people to fill up on the laughter juice, and makes for a great night out with friends and colleagues, leaving visitors to this event with a fond memory of their experience into the international city of Pattaya.
The first of these regular shows will be held at the Amari Orchid Hotel’s Henry J. Beans venue on the beach road Feb 11th 2010, and feature three extremely successful comedians:- John Moloney – Winner of the ‘Best Live Performer” award two years running at the London Comedy Festival.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
FedEx to Transport Giant Pandas from United States to China Onboard Its New 777F Aircraft
FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world's largest express transportation company, is donating its logistical services to transport two giant pandas from the United States to China on February 4, 2010. Working in conjunction with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and Zoo Atlanta, FedEx Express will fly the pandas non-stop from Washington’s Dulles International Airport to Chengdu, China.
Tai Shan, a 4-and-a-half-year-old male panda born at the National Zoo, and Mei Lan, a 3-year-old female panda born at Zoo Atlanta, will travel onboard a custom-decaled FedEx Express 777 Freighter (777F) – known as the “FedEx Panda Express.”
“The FedEx global network, our unparalleled service to and from China and our long history transporting some of the world’s most precious cargo makes FedEx uniquely suited for this special delivery,” said David L. Cunningham Jr., president, Asia Pacific, FedEx Express. “We are honored to serve as the trusted carrier for Tai Shan and Mei Lan’s journey to Chengdu and to play a role in supporting the preservation of this endangered species.”
Currently, conservationists estimate that only 1,600 pandas remain in the wild. Both Tai Shan and Mei Lan are part of global, giant panda conservation programs.
FedEx Express will fly Mei Lan from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., where she will join Tai Shan in preparation for the trans-Atlantic flight. Onboard the 777F aircraft – which is solely dedicated to the pandas’ journey – Tai Shan and Mei Lan will travel in two custom-built transport containers provided by FedEx Express. The pandas will depart Washington, D.C. late morning on February 4 and arrive in Chengdu late afternoon on February 5, approximately14 ½ hours between take-off and landing.
The pandas’ flight will be shorter than ever before possible as a result of the fuel-efficient 777F aircraft, the world’s largest twin-engine cargo aircraft and the newest addition to the FedEx global fleet. In early January 2010, FedEx launched the 777F into international service with a direct connection from Shanghai to the U.S.
In addition to donating all the necessary air transportation, FedEx Express is also providing ground and logistical support in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. In both cities, caravans of FedEx vehicles will deliver the pandas to the airport. Local law enforcement will be on hand to ensure a smooth ride for the pandas. FedEx pilots and drivers selected to transport the pandas are some of the company’s most seasoned team members.
FedEx Express, the National Zoo, Zoo Atlanta, and the China organizers in Chengdu have worked collaboratively to ensure all necessary precautions have been taken to provide a safe and comfortable flight for the pandas. Animal care experts from both zoos have been granted special flight privileges to accompany the pandas onboard the aircraft.
Upon arriving in Chengdu, Tai Shan will be received by the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens will take delivery of Mei Lan. Tai Shan will reside at the China Conservation and Research Center’s Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China and Mei Lan will reside at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Due to security regulations, the departure and arrival events for both pandas will be closed to the general public. However, FedEx will provide updates about the pandas’ journey online at news.fedex.com/pandas.
FedEx Provides Unparalleled Service to China
FedEx Express initiated operations in China in 1984, and today, China is one of the fastest-growing markets for FedEx. FedEx currently employs more than 7,000 employees in China and serves 400 cities throughout the country. FedEx Express is also approaching the one-year anniversary of its new Asia Pacific hub in Guangzhou, China, opened on February 6, 2009.
FedEx Express Transports Many Unusual Shipments
FedEx Express has a long history of transporting rare and delicate cargo. In 2000, FedEx transported Tai Shan’s parents from China to Washington D.C.’s National Zoo and in 2003, FedEx transported a giant panda from China to the Memphis Zoo.
In addition, FedEx has transported polar bears, white tigers, elephants, penguins, lions, gorillas, eagles and even a 13-foot tiger shark used in filming the movie “Jaws.”
Other unusual international cargo transported by FedEx includes a windmill from Denmark, an 11,000-pound helicopter, and a five-ton communications satellite.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to every U.S. address and to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee Subject to relevant terms and conditions.
Tai Shan, a 4-and-a-half-year-old male panda born at the National Zoo, and Mei Lan, a 3-year-old female panda born at Zoo Atlanta, will travel onboard a custom-decaled FedEx Express 777 Freighter (777F) – known as the “FedEx Panda Express.”
“The FedEx global network, our unparalleled service to and from China and our long history transporting some of the world’s most precious cargo makes FedEx uniquely suited for this special delivery,” said David L. Cunningham Jr., president, Asia Pacific, FedEx Express. “We are honored to serve as the trusted carrier for Tai Shan and Mei Lan’s journey to Chengdu and to play a role in supporting the preservation of this endangered species.”
Currently, conservationists estimate that only 1,600 pandas remain in the wild. Both Tai Shan and Mei Lan are part of global, giant panda conservation programs.
FedEx Express will fly Mei Lan from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., where she will join Tai Shan in preparation for the trans-Atlantic flight. Onboard the 777F aircraft – which is solely dedicated to the pandas’ journey – Tai Shan and Mei Lan will travel in two custom-built transport containers provided by FedEx Express. The pandas will depart Washington, D.C. late morning on February 4 and arrive in Chengdu late afternoon on February 5, approximately14 ½ hours between take-off and landing.
The pandas’ flight will be shorter than ever before possible as a result of the fuel-efficient 777F aircraft, the world’s largest twin-engine cargo aircraft and the newest addition to the FedEx global fleet. In early January 2010, FedEx launched the 777F into international service with a direct connection from Shanghai to the U.S.
In addition to donating all the necessary air transportation, FedEx Express is also providing ground and logistical support in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. In both cities, caravans of FedEx vehicles will deliver the pandas to the airport. Local law enforcement will be on hand to ensure a smooth ride for the pandas. FedEx pilots and drivers selected to transport the pandas are some of the company’s most seasoned team members.
FedEx Express, the National Zoo, Zoo Atlanta, and the China organizers in Chengdu have worked collaboratively to ensure all necessary precautions have been taken to provide a safe and comfortable flight for the pandas. Animal care experts from both zoos have been granted special flight privileges to accompany the pandas onboard the aircraft.
Upon arriving in Chengdu, Tai Shan will be received by the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens will take delivery of Mei Lan. Tai Shan will reside at the China Conservation and Research Center’s Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China and Mei Lan will reside at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Due to security regulations, the departure and arrival events for both pandas will be closed to the general public. However, FedEx will provide updates about the pandas’ journey online at news.fedex.com/pandas.
FedEx Provides Unparalleled Service to China
FedEx Express initiated operations in China in 1984, and today, China is one of the fastest-growing markets for FedEx. FedEx currently employs more than 7,000 employees in China and serves 400 cities throughout the country. FedEx Express is also approaching the one-year anniversary of its new Asia Pacific hub in Guangzhou, China, opened on February 6, 2009.
FedEx Express Transports Many Unusual Shipments
FedEx Express has a long history of transporting rare and delicate cargo. In 2000, FedEx transported Tai Shan’s parents from China to Washington D.C.’s National Zoo and in 2003, FedEx transported a giant panda from China to the Memphis Zoo.
In addition, FedEx has transported polar bears, white tigers, elephants, penguins, lions, gorillas, eagles and even a 13-foot tiger shark used in filming the movie “Jaws.”
Other unusual international cargo transported by FedEx includes a windmill from Denmark, an 11,000-pound helicopter, and a five-ton communications satellite.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to every U.S. address and to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee Subject to relevant terms and conditions.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
KTC greets the Tiger Year in style with “Tiger Go Lucky at Sriracha Tiger Zoo” package.
Mr. Staporn Sirisinha, Senior Executive Vice President - Leisure Marketing Department, “KTC” or Krungthai Card Public Company Limited, said “KTC and Sriracha Tiger Zoo have come up with an exclusive travel package called “Tiger Go Lucky at Sriracha Tiger Zoo” with which holders of all KTC credit cards can admire the talents of tigers and various wild animals for only 599 Baht, as opposed to the regular price of 740 Baht. The package can be purchased at all KTC Touch locations in Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom. KTC members can also use 3,299 KTC Forever Rewards together with 299 Baht cash as well from now until October 31st, 2010. A package includes 2 admittance tickets, 1 tiger doll, 2 tiger cub feeding coupons, 1 tiger cub photo coupon and 2 coke cans.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Food & Fun at USA Fair 2009-Clean & Green
The American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AMCHAM) joins hands with The U.S. Embassy to present USA Fair 2009-Clean & Green, where top American brands will be displaying and selling their products and services. The annual event, under the theme “Clean & Green”, will be held on 19-22 November 2009 at Royal Paragon Hall on the 5th floor of Siam Paragon Shopping Complex. Well-known model Sirinya Bishop will also attend the event as the fair’s Ambassador for this year, accompanied by the event’s mascot, Mr. Clean & Green Fair Bear.
To celebrate the success of eco-friendly businesses, AMCHAM in association with Amway (Thailand) Limited, American International Assurance Company, Limited – Thailand (AIA Thailand), Coca-Cola (Thailand) Limited, Dow Chemical Thailand Limited, and Ford Sales & Service (Thailand) Co., Ltd. will hold the USA Fair 2009-Clean & Green. Participants will learn about climate control policy as introduced by US president Barack Obama, and many other interesting ‘Clean & Green’ ideas such as an organic farm practicing natural way to control pests and diseases, the process of clean and green chemistry, activities about science and education, green car with a class-leading fuel-efficient technologies, and other environmentally-friendly projects.
Mr. David Carden, AMCHAM President said “This year, we are excited to pursue under the Obama Administration, the U.S. policies energy and environment to advance energy and climate securities to promote economic recovery efforts, accelerate job creation, and drive clean energy manufacturing.”
Mr. Preecha Prakobkit, Managing Director of Amway (Thailand) Limited said “Amway has been an AMCHAM member for 22 years and has been supporting the USA Fair for 4 years in a row. Amway realizes that the fair always offers quality products and activities which benefits both people and society. This idea is really compatible with the policy of Amway, especially the theme of the fair this year ‘Clean and Green’ which helps promote the environmental friendly and corporate social responsibility projects to which Amway also commits. Amway would like to take this great opportunity to present our organic farm practicing natural way to control pests and diseases, no-animal tested products, recycle packages which are all environmental-friendly and consumer-oriented at the same time. Please come and visit us at our organic farm model where visitors could learn about sustainability and environmental friendly farming methods with a lot of souvenirs to giveaway and interesting activities for you to join at Amway booth.”
Mr. Michael Parker, Chief Marketing Officer of American International Assurance Company, Limited – Thailand (AIA Thailand) said, “AIA Thailand has been operating life insurance business in Thailand for more than 70 years. We think of ourselves as innovators but in line with sustainability and longevity. One of AIA Thailand’s core policies is to instill a “Think Green” concept to our people both at work and at home. At work, we engage our people in energy saving and reducing the environmental impact of our business operations, particularly through reduced electricity and paper usage. Our “Operation Green” concept centers on targeting new ways that high technology can result in smarter and more efficient process. The adoption of Imaging and Workflow technology and e-Worksheet are examples of Operation Green projects which save time, office materials and energy.
AIA Thailand also organizes Green Activities by bringing AIA Smile Volunteers, our employee volunteer program, to be Green Ambassadors in reforestation projects. We also invite AIA staff to initiate Green Projects that can better the environment and address climate change through our Be Green with AIA project.”
Mr. Jorge Garduno, General Manager of Coca-Cola (Thailand) Limited said "Coca-Cola is delighted to once again sponsor the USA Fair in support of strong ties between the Kingdom of Thailand and the USA. We're particularly pleased to support the 'Clean and Green' theme of this year's Fair given its fit with our sustainability focus at Coca-Cola. From community water projects to multi-year recycling initiatives, we are committed to making a positive difference in the world by making sustainability part of everything we do."
Dr. Molly Peifang Zhang, Country Manager of Dow Chemical Thailand Limited added "Our 2015 sustainability goals focus on Sustainable Chemistry, Breakthroughs to World Challenges, Energy Efficiency, Addressing Climate Change, Contributing to Community Success, Product Safety Leadership, and Local Protection of Human Health and the Environment. Connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability supports Dow's vision to be to be the largest, most profitable, most respected chemical company in the world. In our booth, we will show how clean and green chemical processes can be and how chemical products are essential to human progress. We will also have a science and education zone with activities and games about science."
Mr. Saroj Kiatfuengfoo, Senior Vice President, Ford Thailand said "Ford is committed to our global vision of sustainable mobility. This is being supported, in part, by Ford's innovative fuel-efficient technologies like our Powershift transmission technology that the Ford Focus TDCi Powershift is equipped with. The six-speed Powershift transmission and commonrail Duratorque engine combine to deliver unmatched fuel economy in its class at 17.8km/l. Additionally, the Focus TDCi Powershift is B5-capable"
Thai-American supermodel Sirinya Bishop has been chosen as this year’s event ambassador with a well-known history of charity work. She has taken part in the Friends of Habitat Build by Habitat for Humanity Thailand by helping to build shelters for those in need. This year, Sirinya will act as the event’s ambassador along side Mr. Clean & Green Fair Bear.
Come and experience the total American lifestyle and take part in a vast number of activities. Shop and enjoy American brand products, have fun with Cartoon Network Live! On Stage – Power of the Omnitrix, taste American food and beverages, and have a blast with your family at USA Fair 2009, held from 19-22 November, at Royal Paragon Hall 3, Siam Paragon Shopping Complex. The official opening ceremony will take place on 19 November.
To celebrate the success of eco-friendly businesses, AMCHAM in association with Amway (Thailand) Limited, American International Assurance Company, Limited – Thailand (AIA Thailand), Coca-Cola (Thailand) Limited, Dow Chemical Thailand Limited, and Ford Sales & Service (Thailand) Co., Ltd. will hold the USA Fair 2009-Clean & Green. Participants will learn about climate control policy as introduced by US president Barack Obama, and many other interesting ‘Clean & Green’ ideas such as an organic farm practicing natural way to control pests and diseases, the process of clean and green chemistry, activities about science and education, green car with a class-leading fuel-efficient technologies, and other environmentally-friendly projects.
Mr. David Carden, AMCHAM President said “This year, we are excited to pursue under the Obama Administration, the U.S. policies energy and environment to advance energy and climate securities to promote economic recovery efforts, accelerate job creation, and drive clean energy manufacturing.”
Mr. Preecha Prakobkit, Managing Director of Amway (Thailand) Limited said “Amway has been an AMCHAM member for 22 years and has been supporting the USA Fair for 4 years in a row. Amway realizes that the fair always offers quality products and activities which benefits both people and society. This idea is really compatible with the policy of Amway, especially the theme of the fair this year ‘Clean and Green’ which helps promote the environmental friendly and corporate social responsibility projects to which Amway also commits. Amway would like to take this great opportunity to present our organic farm practicing natural way to control pests and diseases, no-animal tested products, recycle packages which are all environmental-friendly and consumer-oriented at the same time. Please come and visit us at our organic farm model where visitors could learn about sustainability and environmental friendly farming methods with a lot of souvenirs to giveaway and interesting activities for you to join at Amway booth.”
Mr. Michael Parker, Chief Marketing Officer of American International Assurance Company, Limited – Thailand (AIA Thailand) said, “AIA Thailand has been operating life insurance business in Thailand for more than 70 years. We think of ourselves as innovators but in line with sustainability and longevity. One of AIA Thailand’s core policies is to instill a “Think Green” concept to our people both at work and at home. At work, we engage our people in energy saving and reducing the environmental impact of our business operations, particularly through reduced electricity and paper usage. Our “Operation Green” concept centers on targeting new ways that high technology can result in smarter and more efficient process. The adoption of Imaging and Workflow technology and e-Worksheet are examples of Operation Green projects which save time, office materials and energy.
AIA Thailand also organizes Green Activities by bringing AIA Smile Volunteers, our employee volunteer program, to be Green Ambassadors in reforestation projects. We also invite AIA staff to initiate Green Projects that can better the environment and address climate change through our Be Green with AIA project.”
Mr. Jorge Garduno, General Manager of Coca-Cola (Thailand) Limited said "Coca-Cola is delighted to once again sponsor the USA Fair in support of strong ties between the Kingdom of Thailand and the USA. We're particularly pleased to support the 'Clean and Green' theme of this year's Fair given its fit with our sustainability focus at Coca-Cola. From community water projects to multi-year recycling initiatives, we are committed to making a positive difference in the world by making sustainability part of everything we do."
Dr. Molly Peifang Zhang, Country Manager of Dow Chemical Thailand Limited added "Our 2015 sustainability goals focus on Sustainable Chemistry, Breakthroughs to World Challenges, Energy Efficiency, Addressing Climate Change, Contributing to Community Success, Product Safety Leadership, and Local Protection of Human Health and the Environment. Connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability supports Dow's vision to be to be the largest, most profitable, most respected chemical company in the world. In our booth, we will show how clean and green chemical processes can be and how chemical products are essential to human progress. We will also have a science and education zone with activities and games about science."
Mr. Saroj Kiatfuengfoo, Senior Vice President, Ford Thailand said "Ford is committed to our global vision of sustainable mobility. This is being supported, in part, by Ford's innovative fuel-efficient technologies like our Powershift transmission technology that the Ford Focus TDCi Powershift is equipped with. The six-speed Powershift transmission and commonrail Duratorque engine combine to deliver unmatched fuel economy in its class at 17.8km/l. Additionally, the Focus TDCi Powershift is B5-capable"
Thai-American supermodel Sirinya Bishop has been chosen as this year’s event ambassador with a well-known history of charity work. She has taken part in the Friends of Habitat Build by Habitat for Humanity Thailand by helping to build shelters for those in need. This year, Sirinya will act as the event’s ambassador along side Mr. Clean & Green Fair Bear.
Come and experience the total American lifestyle and take part in a vast number of activities. Shop and enjoy American brand products, have fun with Cartoon Network Live! On Stage – Power of the Omnitrix, taste American food and beverages, and have a blast with your family at USA Fair 2009, held from 19-22 November, at Royal Paragon Hall 3, Siam Paragon Shopping Complex. The official opening ceremony will take place on 19 November.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Siam Park case a matter of safety
Public must not be distracted by land sale when answers and compensation are due victims of lax standardsIf Siam Park's own history is anything to go by, the chances of another accident happening there soon - like the one in which 28 children were hurt last weekend - are greater than the possibility of the controversial amusement-park complex being sold to a new owner. The expressed wish of apparently depressed park president Chaiwat Leungamornphan to sell the 26-year-old facility for Bt5 billion has stirred up some sympathy for its heavily criticised management, but it has diverted attention from the real issue - accountability and the responsibilities of present and future investors in amusement parks. The usual public outrage in the wake of such an incident was limited this time, with reporters scurrying to interview potential buyers and park employees.
Chaiwat must have been disheartened by this latest accident, the collapse of a water slide that injured 28 kids on Children's Day. What we cannot get, though, is how that could have happened just three months after the tragic death of a female visitor to the same park. On another public holiday last October, Patchadaporn Kongkarian was on the "Indiana Log Ride" when a sudden drop in power caused the water-pumping mechanism to fail, sending her boat plunging at a higher speed and crashing into the "log" ahead of it.
Her death prompted similar responses, reactions and excuses, explicit or covert. Expressing their regret, park officials promised enhanced awareness and, while insisting standardised safety measures were already in place, they pledged to improve them. Little was said about another accident five years ago, when a Japanese tourist was injured on the same ride at the same park. It was unclear what caused Tomomitsu Kitagava, 32, to suffer back injuries to the extent that he could not move or get out of the ride by himself, but the Patchadaporn tragedy apparently had not served as a big alarm for the park management.
Should Chaiwat sell his park? The above record speaks for itself and it should provide the appropriate answer. The question is how serious he really is about selling it. Another question has to do with what motivated him to come out and make the announcement. Was it regret? Or was it a desperate man talking, who was staring at potentially staggering compensation suits or even legal action?
Other questions have been asked. Will he still sell the park for a profit, knowing that going on by himself might result in lives continuing to be endangered? How has the park, which values itself at Bt5 billion, compensated accident victims, past and present? Who has actually performed inspection and maintenance checks at the park? How often have they done it? Why were children allowed to play on the water slides in big groups? Wasn't that a violation of some basic safety rule?
Last but not least, what will he do if he can't sell the park? Will he continue to operate it the same old way - expressing sadness one day and adopting a business-as-usual approach the next? Has he come to accept that his financial situation and the way the park has been managed are the main factors behind these accidents?
Chaiwat is known to have been struggling financially while running the park. That is anything but a solid excuse. While his apparently unwavering intention to offer a source of fun to children and adults alike is laudable, he operates a facility where safety can't be compromised to suit financial circumstances. In other businesses, a person can say he has done his best and would only have to say sorry when his best isn't good enough. As for amusement parks, when one's best isn't good enough, it often ends in tragedy.
Park employees expressed sympathy with Chaiwat and confirmed he had been fighting hard to keep the facility open. There have also reportedly been some phone calls to give him moral support and urge him not to sell. The media, meanwhile, have been rather lenient following the dramatic press conference after the latest accident. As expected, the emotional announcement has blurred the real issue - which is about safety at amusement parks, not about keeping a place where children can play for the price of admission.
Chaiwat may harbour good intentions. Yet somehow, his apparent determination to make people happy has led to a few ironic results. Good intentions are not enough when what one offers are thrilling rides that rely on every nut and screw to be in place or the opposite of happiness will be the result.
Chaiwat must have been disheartened by this latest accident, the collapse of a water slide that injured 28 kids on Children's Day. What we cannot get, though, is how that could have happened just three months after the tragic death of a female visitor to the same park. On another public holiday last October, Patchadaporn Kongkarian was on the "Indiana Log Ride" when a sudden drop in power caused the water-pumping mechanism to fail, sending her boat plunging at a higher speed and crashing into the "log" ahead of it.
Her death prompted similar responses, reactions and excuses, explicit or covert. Expressing their regret, park officials promised enhanced awareness and, while insisting standardised safety measures were already in place, they pledged to improve them. Little was said about another accident five years ago, when a Japanese tourist was injured on the same ride at the same park. It was unclear what caused Tomomitsu Kitagava, 32, to suffer back injuries to the extent that he could not move or get out of the ride by himself, but the Patchadaporn tragedy apparently had not served as a big alarm for the park management.
Should Chaiwat sell his park? The above record speaks for itself and it should provide the appropriate answer. The question is how serious he really is about selling it. Another question has to do with what motivated him to come out and make the announcement. Was it regret? Or was it a desperate man talking, who was staring at potentially staggering compensation suits or even legal action?
Other questions have been asked. Will he still sell the park for a profit, knowing that going on by himself might result in lives continuing to be endangered? How has the park, which values itself at Bt5 billion, compensated accident victims, past and present? Who has actually performed inspection and maintenance checks at the park? How often have they done it? Why were children allowed to play on the water slides in big groups? Wasn't that a violation of some basic safety rule?
Last but not least, what will he do if he can't sell the park? Will he continue to operate it the same old way - expressing sadness one day and adopting a business-as-usual approach the next? Has he come to accept that his financial situation and the way the park has been managed are the main factors behind these accidents?
Chaiwat is known to have been struggling financially while running the park. That is anything but a solid excuse. While his apparently unwavering intention to offer a source of fun to children and adults alike is laudable, he operates a facility where safety can't be compromised to suit financial circumstances. In other businesses, a person can say he has done his best and would only have to say sorry when his best isn't good enough. As for amusement parks, when one's best isn't good enough, it often ends in tragedy.
Park employees expressed sympathy with Chaiwat and confirmed he had been fighting hard to keep the facility open. There have also reportedly been some phone calls to give him moral support and urge him not to sell. The media, meanwhile, have been rather lenient following the dramatic press conference after the latest accident. As expected, the emotional announcement has blurred the real issue - which is about safety at amusement parks, not about keeping a place where children can play for the price of admission.
Chaiwat may harbour good intentions. Yet somehow, his apparent determination to make people happy has led to a few ironic results. Good intentions are not enough when what one offers are thrilling rides that rely on every nut and screw to be in place or the opposite of happiness will be the result.
Magnificent seven
In the most important, most revered event since the invention of the brontosaurus trap,Microsoft shipped the most incredibly fabulous operating system ever made; the release of Windows 7 also spurred a new generation of personal computers of all sizes at prices well below last month's offers.The top reason Windows 7 does not suck: There is no registered website called Windows7Sucks.com
Kindle e-book reader maker Amazon.com and new Nook e-book reader vendor Barnes and Noble got it on; B&N got great reviews for the "Kindle killer"Nook, with dual screens and touch controls so you can "turn" pages, plays MP3s and allows many non-B&N book formats, although not the Kindle one;Amazon then killed the US version of its Kindle in favour of the international one, reduced its price to $260(8,700 baht), same as the Nook; it's not yet clear what you can get in Thailand with a Nook, but you sure can't (yet) get much, relatively speaking, with a Kindle;but here's the biggest difference so far,which Amazon.com has ignored: the Nook lets you lend e-books to any other Nook owner, just as if they were paper books; the borrowed books expire on the borrower's Nook in two weeks.
Phone maker Nokia of Finland announced it is suing iPhone maker Apple of America for being a copycat; lawyers said they figure Nokia can get at least one, probably two per cent (retail) for every iPhone sold by Steve "President for Life" Jobs and crew via the lawsuit,which sure beats working for it -$6 (200 baht) to $12(400 baht) on 30 million phones sold so far, works out to $400 million or 25 percent of the whole Apple empire profits during the last quarter;there were 10 patent thefts, the Finnish executives said, on everything from moving data to security and encryption.
Nokia of Finland announced that it is one month behind on shipping its new flagship N900 phone, the first to run on Linux software; delay of the $750(25,000 baht) phone had absolutely no part in making Nokia so short that it had to sue Apple, slap yourself for such a thought.
Tim Berners-Lee, who created the World Wide Web, said he had one regret:the double slash that follows the "http:"in standard web addresses; he estimated that 14.2 gazillion users have wasted 48.72 bazillion hours typing those two keystrokes, and he's sorry; of course there's no reason to ever type that, since your browser does it for you when you type "www.bangkokpost.com" but Tim needs to admit he made one error in his lifetime.
The International Telecommunication Union of the United Nations, which doesn't sell any phones or services, announced that there should be a mobile phone charger that will work with any phone; now who would ever have thought of that, without a UN body to wind up a major study on the subject?;the GSM Association estimates that 51,000 tonnes of chargers are made each year in order to keep companies able to have their own unique ones.
The Well, Doh Award of the Week was presented at arm's length to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; the group's deputy secretary-general Petko Draganov said that developing countries will miss some of the stuff available on the Internet if they don't install more broadband infrastructure; a report that used your tax baht to compile said that quite a few people use mobile phones but companies are more likely to invest in countries with excellent broadband connections; no one ever had thought of this before, right?
Sun Microsystems , as a result of the Oracle takeover, said it will allow 3,000 current workers never to bother coming to work again; Sun referred to the losses as "jobs," not people; now the fourth largest server maker in the world, Sun said it lost $2.2 billion in its last fiscal year; European regulators are holding up approval of the Oracle purchase in the hope of getting some money in exchange for not involving Oracle in court cases.
The multi-gazillionaire and very annoying investor Carl Icahn resigned from the board at Yahoo ; he spun it as a vote of confidence, saying current directors are taking the formerly threatened company seriously; Yahoo reported increased profits but smaller revenues in the third quarter.
The US House of Representatives voted to censure Vietnam for jailing bloggers; the non-binding resolution sponsored by southern California congresswoman Loretta Sanchez said the Internet is "a crucial tool for the citizens of Vietnam to be able to exercise their freedom of expression and association;"Hanoi has recently jailed at least nine activists for up to six years apiece for holding pro-democracy banners. Iran jailed blogger Hossein "Hoder" Derakshan for 10 months - in solitary confinement.
Kindle e-book reader maker Amazon.com and new Nook e-book reader vendor Barnes and Noble got it on; B&N got great reviews for the "Kindle killer"Nook, with dual screens and touch controls so you can "turn" pages, plays MP3s and allows many non-B&N book formats, although not the Kindle one;Amazon then killed the US version of its Kindle in favour of the international one, reduced its price to $260(8,700 baht), same as the Nook; it's not yet clear what you can get in Thailand with a Nook, but you sure can't (yet) get much, relatively speaking, with a Kindle;but here's the biggest difference so far,which Amazon.com has ignored: the Nook lets you lend e-books to any other Nook owner, just as if they were paper books; the borrowed books expire on the borrower's Nook in two weeks.
Phone maker Nokia of Finland announced it is suing iPhone maker Apple of America for being a copycat; lawyers said they figure Nokia can get at least one, probably two per cent (retail) for every iPhone sold by Steve "President for Life" Jobs and crew via the lawsuit,which sure beats working for it -$6 (200 baht) to $12(400 baht) on 30 million phones sold so far, works out to $400 million or 25 percent of the whole Apple empire profits during the last quarter;there were 10 patent thefts, the Finnish executives said, on everything from moving data to security and encryption.
Nokia of Finland announced that it is one month behind on shipping its new flagship N900 phone, the first to run on Linux software; delay of the $750(25,000 baht) phone had absolutely no part in making Nokia so short that it had to sue Apple, slap yourself for such a thought.
Tim Berners-Lee, who created the World Wide Web, said he had one regret:the double slash that follows the "http:"in standard web addresses; he estimated that 14.2 gazillion users have wasted 48.72 bazillion hours typing those two keystrokes, and he's sorry; of course there's no reason to ever type that, since your browser does it for you when you type "www.bangkokpost.com" but Tim needs to admit he made one error in his lifetime.
The International Telecommunication Union of the United Nations, which doesn't sell any phones or services, announced that there should be a mobile phone charger that will work with any phone; now who would ever have thought of that, without a UN body to wind up a major study on the subject?;the GSM Association estimates that 51,000 tonnes of chargers are made each year in order to keep companies able to have their own unique ones.
The Well, Doh Award of the Week was presented at arm's length to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; the group's deputy secretary-general Petko Draganov said that developing countries will miss some of the stuff available on the Internet if they don't install more broadband infrastructure; a report that used your tax baht to compile said that quite a few people use mobile phones but companies are more likely to invest in countries with excellent broadband connections; no one ever had thought of this before, right?
Sun Microsystems , as a result of the Oracle takeover, said it will allow 3,000 current workers never to bother coming to work again; Sun referred to the losses as "jobs," not people; now the fourth largest server maker in the world, Sun said it lost $2.2 billion in its last fiscal year; European regulators are holding up approval of the Oracle purchase in the hope of getting some money in exchange for not involving Oracle in court cases.
The multi-gazillionaire and very annoying investor Carl Icahn resigned from the board at Yahoo ; he spun it as a vote of confidence, saying current directors are taking the formerly threatened company seriously; Yahoo reported increased profits but smaller revenues in the third quarter.
The US House of Representatives voted to censure Vietnam for jailing bloggers; the non-binding resolution sponsored by southern California congresswoman Loretta Sanchez said the Internet is "a crucial tool for the citizens of Vietnam to be able to exercise their freedom of expression and association;"Hanoi has recently jailed at least nine activists for up to six years apiece for holding pro-democracy banners. Iran jailed blogger Hossein "Hoder" Derakshan for 10 months - in solitary confinement.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Creatures of the Lost Ocean
Many of us have felt excited when watching adventure films or documentaries related to creatures of the ancient world. For these school holidays, Siam Ocean World is bringing you back to ancient times with "Creatures of the Lost Ocean". The festival will feature a live interactive show,"The Big World of The Sea Turtles",which is the story of the sea turtle and how it has fought for millions of years to survive till now. Through exhibition boards and fossil-digging activities,children can learn about sea turtles and other ancient mysterious creatures.
"Creatures of the Lost Ocean" will run until November 8 at Siam Ocean World,B1 and B2 floors, Siam Paragon. For more information, call 02-687-2000.
"Creatures of the Lost Ocean" will run until November 8 at Siam Ocean World,B1 and B2 floors, Siam Paragon. For more information, call 02-687-2000.
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