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Pigeon racing in Thailand

History :

Pigeon racing ,if we call this game a sport, came to Thailand some 60 years ago after the Japanese occupation during the second World War. Some messenger pigeons used during the war were retired and reached the hand of a few fanciers, mostly Chinese descendants, who kept them as pets. Since them a tiny racing community had it begining. Some years after a person whom we may call father of the Thai pigeon racing sport, the late Mr.Prateep payakaporn, imported the first lot of racing pigeons from England. Notably from the loft of the Osman. These pigeons and their offspring were distributed to many Chinese fanciers who by then became more serious in racing even though in the primitive style. Many pigeons were also imported from a pet shop in Antwerp in the late 50's. Then in the early 60's pigeons from a very famous Belgian fancie in that era by the the name of Joseph Vendenbrucke were imported. The strain were strong influence in the make up the Thai racing pigeon breed for more than two decades. Mechanicel clocks also come to the country around the time . After that,several thousands of sky thoroughbreds were imported from famous lofts around the world particularly from Belgiam and Holland.Imports of live pigeons into the country were relatively easy during the past decades until the recent outbreak of avian flu in SE-Asia. So Thailand rich in game pool for racing pigeons.

Members and Organizations:

Despite its relatively long history,the number of active racing fanciers were neveer peaked beyond a thousand or so , althoug some people might be tempted to inflate this figure a little bit for commercial reason. Appoximately 70% of active fanciers reside in the capital city of Bangkok and the rest spead out in five majors provinces , i.e. , the eastern coastal towns of Chonburi and Rayong , Samutprakarn (adjacent to the east of Bangkok) Nakornprathom and Supanburi (50-60 km west of Bangkok). No official statistics is available because there is really no central body that manage the sport like NPO in Holland , AU in the United States , and thr KBDB in Belgiam. Fanciers can participate in any race without having to be official members of any association or federation as long as they are their lofts registered and air distances measured. Therefore , the same names may appear in all the clubs' tallies and the summation of these figures will be totally misleading let alone te fact that large number of fanciers have already left the sport or passed away but their names are still in the books. Some association might have started its membership number from 1000 instead of 1 or made itself appears bigger than life by accumulating licenses of a few defunct associations with no member and manage them by the same group of people under the same roof.

There are four active associations registered in Bangkok including a new federation recently established by a group of most accomplished fanciers and businessmen with immediate success and the sport is looking forward to a new level of transparency and good governance in pigeon club management. In the provinces pigeon fanciers race under a llose club arrangement and they can now join the new federation as institutional members and adopt the same rules and regulations. The names "association" and "federation" are the same legal status by Thai law even though the later implies a more encompassing scope of activities and authority by English translation. No association legally or officially represents Thailand in racing pigeon sport. Memberships are not sought after by the associations so that just a few individuals can total control on management and thus the lack of good governance and transparency. Running a club or association is not an easy task either because, unlike in the United States, members here do not expect themselves to pay any membership fee or to help the club in any respect be it fanancial or man hour. Therefore all te clubs have to compete for entires form the same small group of fanciers. This may have forced some clubs to offer someting tey could not affort and came up with some imaginative thinking to get the money back.

Admittedly, most clubs are too much involved in promoting pools and no priority is given to upgrade the image of this sport or to entice new comers to join the hobby. Gone were the days when fanciers would look forward to the honor of winning just the trophies and friendly admirations from their peers like in Japan where the sport is still very honorable. This explains why this sport does not grown over the years . Like in many other countries, keeping pigeons become too expensive especially in capital city where real estates are precious and people have alternatives to spend their spare times. Most seriously, professional fanciers and big loftsare migrating to the west side of the city to take geographical advantages and small lofts are forced to quit.

Racing activities :

Races are organized almost all year round but the major ones are from the nort route during the period from mid September to January. Pigeons fly with cool northeasterly tail wind from 140 km up to 750 km distance and the full program contains 15-16 races. Race from the north-east direction cover the period from March until May and this time againts the wind ans severe heat. Fanciers in the northeast cornor now have the advantage. The last leg is along the costal line from the south in the monsoon season from June-early August. As the air distance is measured directly from the race points, pigeon are assumed to cut across the gulf straight to Bangkok. In reality they cannot and they have to fly along the coast line until they are close enough to the caapital and ten break over the water for a short distance homeward. Again, the advantages of the west side because the coastal line is west of Bangkok. Te situation could be improved if racing solfware with a break point feature is used as pratised in South Africa. Average total entry in a good race is around 1500-2000 pigeons while there could be more than 2500 birds entered for some early races and only around 500-600 birds for two long distance stations. In some clubs, the number can be infatet by a few hundreds if the organizers so wis. Total number clocks set in a race is around 120 which meams less than 120 fanciers participate in a race because some big lofcs employ more than one clock each. Popular models are the mechanical Benzing and Junior ; the later is becoming less popular because it needs factory services after a period of time. Benzing Express is the only e-clock system that used for a number of yaers. Despite the small number of participants in a race the pool amount can be quite large if included free entrie from the organizers. Trophies and negligible amount of money prizes are given to the first three prize winners in each race. Terefore , fanciers try their lucks in pools and derby rings where clubs get a cut from total stake. Some clubs may offer guarenteed total purses but at the same time fanciers may have to ace againts unlimited number of the organizers' birds of which pay nothing for the derby rings. A great number of the King, Queen, and Princess cups are given out by association every year , a nimber far greater than they are authorized to do.

One-loft races are stage in Thailand for many years by several parties and most are lucrative undertakings since no omport tax was paid for pigeons hand-carried into the country by so called "bird-runners". Some races cound be just private business ventures using the association credentials and names of innocent public figures to establish creditability while a few were organized by groups of people genuinely wish to promote te country and sport. Like in some countries where big money prizes are promised, participants must be aware that the organizers are better odds because they can enter unlimited number of their the own pigeons. Because of the very warm and humid condition foreign pigeons which pay higher entry fees, have less chance to win especially in long distance race unless they are locally raised as youngsters. Likewise , buyers of foreign pigeons after the races must see to it that the birds were bred from their country of origin, not locally bred birds that wear improved foreign rings.

An alternative approach to judge the winning birds in pigeon racing

"race point"

The birth place of pigeon racing is in Europe over a century ago. It become a favourite hobby for millions of people around the globe. Breeding, training, feeding and racing techniques are also evolved with the changing and improving knowledge and technology. Nowaday, fanciers can obtain offsprings of the long dead famous stud from his frozen semen. DNA samples can be compared to that of the original parents to confirm the blood line. Check sex can be identified a few day before it was borne using chemical to test the female hormone level of in eggs flulid. Electronic clocking system using the contactless identificatiom technology is quickly replacing the conventional mechaical clocks. Now invention also makes it possible to mount a light weight GPS recording device on the back of pigeon during its flight which enables the plotting of its flight path with amazing accuracy. Computer and racing software can sort out information and data in any manner to produce and send race results on line or via cell phones. It can producee statistical references and run race simulation incorporating changes of coordinate, break points, release timea and distances,etc. Despite all these developments there is one very important aspect in pigeon racing that was caught up with time and technology. That is the method generally used to judge the winning pigeons. Presently, the most acceptable system is to calculate the fastest speed (meters per minute) by dividing direct air distance from race point to loft by the total time a pigeon took to arrive ome. This sounds a lot better and more civilized than the olden day practice of the fanciers running or riding bucycles with their pigeons or the rubber band in hand to the club.

However,we can still here fanciers saying something like, "I should have won the race If the wind not blown." This complaints is to be merits and clearly suggest that there is a dilemma in the core of pigeon racing game. That is t he wind and geographical layouts are the most important factors in seperating champions from losers especially for short and middle distance up to 500-600 km races in normal weather. There is no prat]p[ice solution. In countris where pigeon racing has evolved into serious gambling, a club's racing parameter might be limited to only 5 km frontage and 5 depth. Despite this limition, there are still arguments on location advantage. Using conventional air distance has its flaw when measuring direct distance between two coordinates accross a long span over the sea where there is pararel coastline or island close to the flight line. If pigeon are cling to te coast line. Pigeons are a good navigation facility but they are a good survival instinct also. They are also land marks in pinpointing teir flight pat as proved by many researches. Frying across a very high mountain range is neither their option if there is reacable and manageable peak or passage channel to fly through. Fighting side wind is another thing most pigeons can not manage without losing speedd to loft. Therefore, it is not fair to the pigeons or the most fanciers involved if we are to expect that the pigeons will follow te straight line drawn by human being across the sea or terrain pigeons can not fly through. It is not possible for them to fly a straight line if they flight strong side wind.

In Thailand, fanciers are moving to the west end of the club boundary to take advantage of the norteasterly wind which prevails during the main racing season from the norrth routes of Bangkok. There are also absolute advantages racing from the south because air distances are measured directly from race point along the south peninsular across the sea to Bangkok while it is not possible for pigeons to follow that line in our climatic condition. Pigeon are following the coast line nnorthwards and then enter the city from the SW end. It is difficult for faciers in the middle and the eastern end of the boundary causing most them not to participate. The end result is the dwinding numbers of fanciers. At the end of the day, there will be only a small group of fanciers racing amoung themselves in te west end zone and tey would still be arguing who get the advantages of being closer to the west border line.

In Thailand during the four months north route racing season from late October trough end of January , the monsoon wind is always from te northeast with velocity between 15-35 km/hr. This is assure as the sun would rise from the east unless there is a rare happening of off season depression or storm. Monsoon is an Arabic word meaning prevailing seasonal wind. Therefore, most of the races will be won by lofts, big and small, lining the west end boundary with speed as high as 50-100 meter per minute faster than pigeon from top lofts in the middle and eastern part which constitute majority of the total entry. However, computer stimulation using past race results and a break points coordinates from location near Supanburi show a much better distribution of prizes.

Hanicap system, this system asumes that all pigeons in the race fly to the same finish line for any specific race as if tey were all racing from the same loft. For any race point, there will be a "standard distance" which is measured from that race point to the front boundary line. The handicap given will not change the race result by that much but its give people in the back some due respect and a better feeling. This system is more or less the same method used in European national and International races.

Self - sufficient economy and Thaksinomic

Before I inform you all of story, regarding I am Thai citizen , I would like to talk about Thai history first.

Thailand is democratic country tat has governed by the King. However, at the present time less country govern their country like this. As I am Thai citizen , I think Thailand is the best democratic country. Love and faith from Thai citizen for their king is great more than any country will be realize. His Majesty's graciousness for Thai people and Thailand is plentifully. Our king would like permanent development and expect his inhabitant to be happy. His duties are hard all the time that ascend te trone , he did work hard for 60 billion people of Thailand. Infact , he can not do everything for others , he stay at the royal palace only. He is a model of peacefulness and self - sufficient that is difference. The different thing start from actually understand and farsighted , not covetous. When sources are different so demand are different also.

Self - sufficient economy is philosophy but Thaksinomic is politic policy of politicians only.

I would like to compare between self - sufficient economy and Thaksinomic.

self - sufficient economy

- start from actually understand of the king

- the purpose is happiness of Thai people

- expect the permanent result

- the beneficiary is Thai people

- suggest for looking others person from their merit and their etic

Thaksinomic

- start from greed

- the purpose is their politic benefit

- to act when they have power and expect the politic result

- a beneficiary is theirself , their relative and friend 's benefit

- suggest for looking other person from wealthy and their property without merit and ethic

The above informations are the different thing between self - sufficient economy and Thaksinomic that can not compare each other. As I am Thai , I think natural person should not bluster the king. Thai people 's love for our king is great. How about our love? Everybody know well from the last celebrate of ascend the throne for 60 years of the king in 9 June 2006.

This is a reason that ousted prime minister who did not potrio can not compaare his policy - Thaksinomic with the philosophy of our king

" lobbyist "

Before I describe about role and importance of this word "lobbyist" that happened in Thailand. I would like to introduce about the background of lobbyist.

Lobbyist is an agents of a lobby company , founded for more than 100 years ago abd started from a little coffee shop that located in Washingtion DC , near Congress. This coffee shop is a meeting place for The Member of Paliament and The Member of the upper house to discuss between their meeting break. So any person who need any assistance from The Member of Paliament or The Member of the upper house , they will wait and ask assistance from them at this shop. From this negotiation so develope to become a lobby company. They launch the lobby company because the negotaition between client and The Member of Paliament or The Member of the upper house diectly are difficulty. So it is importance to have an agents to response for negotiation between client and The Member of Paliament or The Member of the upper house. Agents come from past Member of the Paliament , past of Member of the upper house or any person who are closely with U.S.A government. These person became founder or co-founded of this lobby company for benefit of their client.

The important point for Thailand about the lobby company is not hire the topflight lobby company , such as Barbour Griffith and Rogers LLC. or the hirers are foreign government. Because their client are mention to get any support from the U.S.A. government. In contrast , Thai government under command of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra did not require any support from the U.S.A. government but he need to discredit Thailand. In 7 September 2006 , he hired Barbour Griffith and Rogers LLC. - the lobby company to provide guidance and consel with regard to his interest in Washington and abroad.

In my opinion , regarding Thai people , I fell very regret with his action that did with my country. I would like to said "enough is enough with ousted prime minister Thaksin. "

Suvarnabhumi Airport History

1960 - Litchfield Whiting Browne and Associate was hired by Thai government to study and plan a new Bangkok airport. Following the studied , they suggest Thai government to provide a new business airport that separate from the military airfied at Don Muang.

1960 - The Ministry of Communications survey a new constuction of airport from many places. They decided to chose Bang plee , Samutprakarn province to become a new airport.

1963-1973 - Department of Commercial Aviation , the Ministry of Communication provided land for a new airport by bought and exprepriated 20,000 rais that able to support the traffic of plane.

1978 - Tippets Abbott Mocarthy Aviation as hired by The Ministry of Communication to review the suitable construction of airport. The result is Samutprakarn province is suitable place.

1987 - The commission of communicaton offer to chose other place and reserve expropriation land following the act of legislation.

1990 - Louise Berger Internatonal was hired by the Thailand airport for Airport system Master Plan Study to be a way for development airport in a long term. Conclusion, Don Muang airport is a saturation point in year 2000. If they did not launch a new airport , it will have affect for Thai economy in tourism and industries.

7 May 1991 - The cabinet og government authorize to constuct the second airport according to The Ministry of Communication suffered. They assign The Thailand Airport to be in progress. In 20 March 1992 , the airport sign sign the hire contract to hire General Engineering Consultants (GEC), กลุ่ม Netherlands Airport Consultants B.V. (NACO), Louis Berger International Inc., Design 103 Co., Ltd, Asian Engineering Consultants Corp., Ltd., Index International Group Co,. Ltd., และ TEAM Consulting Engineer Co., Ltd. for Airport System Master Plan Study and control in details of design with budget 914 million bath. They took 7 years and 6 months for constructiion.

25 August 1992 - The cabinet of the government decided to give 80 million bath for development system to support the connection in the second airport.

15 September 1992 - To issue by authority for enforcement about the development of airport.

7 May 1995 - The cabinet of the government approved to control the new airport.

16 May 1995 - The cabinet of the government agreement to set the llimited company in progress for construction the airport. It is name "The New Bangkok International Airport Co.,Ltd."

7 December 1996 - The New Bangkok International Airport Co.,Ltd. registed following the Civil and Commercial code by the Ministry of Finance and Thailand airport are the share holder.

29 January 2000 - His Majesty the King of Thailand conferred the name of Suvarnabhumi Airport. It means "Golden Land". It was a great honor for New Bangkok International Airport Co.,Ltd.

29 September 2005 - opened Suvarnabhumi Airport. It covers an area of some 20,000 rais and located about 15 km. of an the east-bound Bangna - Trat Highway in Bang Phli district, Samutprakarn province. It is about 25 km. from downtown Bangkok.

My favourite movie

Two weeks ago , I went to see the movie with my friends.It's "Night At themuseum."

Night at the museum is a action adventure and comedy movie. Ben stiller plays Larry Daley, a divorced father with a lot of dreams and big idea. His ex-wife , Erica doubts that he is able to take care of ten years old son, Nick. He is replacing three elderly man, Cecil , Gus , and Reginald who are retiring. Larry got a sheet of instruction from the trio and they told Larry don't let anything in museum in or out. An ancient Eyptian tabled is the cause of everything in the museum come to life at night.
For example,
- Maryan , Roman gladiators and cowboys emerage from their diorama to wage epic battles in his quest for fire.
- A caveman burn down his own display.
- Attila the hun pillages his neighboring exibits.
- T-Rex skelton scampering around the museum like a big puppy.
- The wax figure of President Teddy Roosevelt turn to be an adviser for Larry.
- The iron figure, Chritopher Columbus can walk and talk.

The instruction that he got were helpful for Larry for a first night work. Such as
The first, throw the bone, brings the T-Rax to heel. The second, looking the lion up so they won't eat you. Hiding the key away from Dexter, the capuchin monkey. Attila the Hun is scourging his way across the second floor. The miniature figures from the Roman and American West displays in the diorama room have declared war on each other. The Pharaoh screaming to get out of his sarcophagus. The Easter Island Head that insists on calling Larry dum dum.
Casts of this play ;

- Ben Stiller as Larry Daley
- Jake Cherry as Nick Daley

- Carla Guigino as Rebecca

- Mickey Rooney as Gus

- Dick Van Dyke as Cecil

- Bill Cobbs as Reginald

- Paul Rudd as Don

- Owen Wilson as Jedidiah

- Rami Malek as Ahkmenrah

- Pattrick Gallagher as Attila the hun

- Robbin William as Teddy Roosevelt

- Martin Christopher as Lewis

- Mathew Harison as the Neanderthalman

- Mizuo Reck as Sacagawea

- Steve Coogan as Octavius

- Pier Trancesco Favino as Christopher Columbus

My opinion after I saw this movie , I think night at the museum is a movie both kids and adults can enjoy. The film maker makes this movie with high tech special effect and they intend to make T-Rex scampering around the museum like a big puppy.

My favourite cast of this movie is Larry Daley. I think he is a good father. He love his son so much. He try to do everything to seek a job and prove himself to his ex-wife that he can take care of their son.