Regular features from January 2003 85th Issue

Feelings; express yourself without misunderstanding! Half a page isn't going to scratch the surface of the amount of ways you can express your feelings in Thai. I've chosen a few essential ones that you may find useful. Many words that express feeling or emotion usually begin or end with the word 'jai' which generally means heart (literally hua jai). When suffixed to a verb it usually indicates a state of mind or feeling which is usually temporary.

Believe in - chua jai - เชื่อใจ
Hurt (emotionally) - jep jai - เจ็บใจ
Honest, sincere - jing jai - จริงใจ
Happy, glad - dee jai - ดีใจ
Worried - gluum jai - กลุ้มใจ
Concerned - nuk jai - หนักใจ
Understand - khao jai - เข้าใจ
Considerate - graeng jai - เกรงใจ
Confident - mun jai - มั่นใจ
Sure - nae jai - แน่ใจ
Deceive, cheat - nork jai - นอกใจ
Proud - puum jai - ภูมิใจ
Surprised - blaek jai - แปลกใจ
Shocked - dtok jai - ตกใจ
Sorry - sia jai - เสียใจ
Sad, sorrow - sao jai - เศร้าใจ
Interested - son jai - สนใจ
Trust - wai jai - ไว้ใจ
Decide - dtutsin jai - ตัดสินใจ
Impressed - bpratup jai - ประทับใจ
Willing - dtem jai - เต็มใจ
Relieved - bao jai - เบาใจ
Feel wronged, peevish - noi jai - น้อยใจ
Satisfied - por jai - พอใจ
Content - sabai jai - สบายใจ
Discouraged - tor jai - ท้อใจ
Thankful, grateful - khorp jai - ขอบใจ
Force oneself - kaeng jai - แข็งใจ
At one's wits end - jon jai - จนใจ
Take care of somebody - ao jai - เอาใจ
Selfish - ao jai dtua eng - เอาใจตัวเอง

Uses:
I trust him - pom wai jai khao - ผมไว้ใจเขา
I'm not interested - chun mai son jai - ฉันไม่สนใจ
Have you decided yet - dtutsin jai laew reu yang - ตัดสินใจแล้วรึยัง
Do you understand? - khao jai mai - เข้าใจไหม
I'm really sorry - pom sia jai jing jing - ผมเสียใจจริงๆ
I'm proud of you - chun puum jai ter - ฉันภูมิใจเธอ
Are you sure? - nae jai mai - แน่ใจไหม
Thank you (informal) - khorp jai - ขอบใจ
He's very satisfied - khao por jai mahk - เขาพอใจมาก

If you have any language questions or would like translations, send us an email at the Observer.

Savings

Looking out my window in Hua Hun on the eve of 2003 I got to thinking how much has changed and how much has stayed the same since George S. Clason in the 1870's wrote "The Richest Man in Babylon"
The central theme was "a part of all you earn is yours to keep"
The message from the book was that those who regularly saved a percentage of their income would in the future have abundant financial resources. While those who squandered everything they earned would always be in debt and either be financially dependent on someone or live a very meager existence in their old age.
The advise was "Take whatever portion seems wise. Let it be not less than one- tenth.
And lay it by. Arrange your other expenditures to do this if necessary. But lay that portion first. Soon you will realize what a rich feeling it is to own a treasure which you alone have claim. As it grows it will stimulate you. A new joy of life will thrill you. Greater efforts will come to you to earn more"
That 1870's truism is the same today. It is especially important at New Year to give some thought to this as many people make a vague New Year resolution
"To save for their future", but have no definite plan in mind and really need guidance to find a way to help them hide the money from themselves.
For expatriates there is a multitude of savings plans based offshore to choose from but this can open you up to some pitfalls like high charge plans and unethicial advisors..You will definitely need guidance through these myriad tax free schemes and a few simple precautions will help achieve your financial objectives without being ripped off. It's like living in Thailand. Most people in your home country would break your arm to have your lifestyle. They would break your other arm to get access to what's readily available to you. Unfortunately for them they have a government which tells them how much they can save tax free-unlike you.
On the other hand some of us will never develop a savings culture.
Many of us have joined the instant generation. If we see and covet a beautiful car then we go out and buy it and use the money for our own future to finance a depreciating asset.
Financial attitudes have changed so much. In the 1870's they called it debt and put you in prison. Now they call it credit. How much do you want?
Major Banks will give you a credit card and charge you extortionate rates for this credit if you're daft enough to use it and not pay all your outstanding balance.
But at the end of one year and the beginning of another let's not get too depressed with our unmanageable lives. Let's look at the advice from the book again.
"Enjoy life while you are here. Do not overstrain or try to save too much. If one-tenth of all you earn is as much as you can comfortably keep, be content to keep this portion. Live otherwise according to your income and let not yourself get niggardly and afraid to spend. Life is good and life is rich with things worthwhile and things to enjoy"
Good advice. But remember the choice (yes there is always a choice). In this case when you reach 55 or 60 you can either be paying intrest or collecting it. Its up to you.
If you would like clarification or further information on any matter discussed contact
JerryMcMenamin at swissinvestcenter.com

Rotary Round Up

It has been a busy period for the Hua Hin Rotary Club. At the end of November the annual ball was held at the Grand Hotel with nearly 2,000 guests, who all enjoyed a set meal and cabaret show. This ball is the year's major fund raiser and was yet again a great success.
On 12th December the Rotary held its family night and Christmas party.
Members and guests were treated to a surprise show by some of the Rotarians (PP Darunee Ratanopas, Rtn. Somprapa Morakran, Rtn. Saowalak Kongnam, Rtn. Kok-koon Penpian, Rtn. Lisa Onghang (below)) Through donations from Rotary members four of the town's senior citizens were able to have cateract operations. With the ongoing Rotary support these patients lives will be improved with better eyesight.

Favourite Holiday Dishes - poo la sawan

Cooking fresh sea crab in its shell retains the sweetness of the meat. Eating sea crab cooked in this manner is an informal affair.

Clean the sea crab by removing the shell from the body only. Disjoint the legs and crack the shell off the legs with a mallet. Rinse to remove small pieces of shell, drain and set aside.

Heat a wok on a large skillet on medium high heat. Add the oil, sweet chilli pepper and onion. Stir fry for 30 seconds. Add the cracked sea crab pieces and stir fry for 2 minutes. The sea crab with black chilli paste is mixed up fresh milk and celery. Cover the skillet and continue cooking on medium high heat for another 5 minutes, or until the sea crab is cooked.

Anthony wishing Joy a happy birthday

Goodbye and good luck to Claudia and Oliver

Maracel and Phil celebrate her birthday at the Friendly Bar

Steve and the Pattaya gang enjoying life at Limelight

Khun Too and Khun Poo pictured at their wedding celebrations held at Sailom Hotel -Good luck to you both!

Fred (with cigar) buying the beer at his birthday party at Fred's Dolphin Bar

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