Regular features from March 2003 87th Issue

The Digital Doctor - Virus Nightmares

The Digital Doctor will be back next month letting you know how to keep your computer free of spyware, reduce spam and manage your email and web browser.

What is our biggest asset?

Most people when asked this question will reply my house, my condo or my Mercedes 500SL
In reality if you’re like 90% of people the biggest asset we have is our ability to get up every day and earn a living. If we can keep doing it we will earn a fortune.
Everything you have or hope to have for yourself and your family requires that you continue to earn an income. Income is the foundation that supports our expenses our lifestyle and our future plans.
If income is interrupted because of an accident or sickness it may be difficult or impossible to provide basic family needs. Short range commitments and long term plans may have to be delayed or else cancelled
What do you think your total annual earnings will amount to until you are 65.
Or look at it another way. If you were disabled now what are the obligations that would continue even if you were unable to work?
Possibly mortgage / rent, house insurance, electricity / phone, food, car payments, UBC payment, children’s clothes your clothes, holidays, school trips, birthday parties and weddings.
Where does the money come from?
If you had saved 10% of your income each year for the last ten years disability or sickness lasting one year would destroy ten years savings
There are alternatives. Your family, your relatives and friends, charity and insurance.
Which do you prefer?
Few people think of themselves as truly valuable pieces of property. If you owned property that earned you your current annual salary in rental income, could you sleep until you had it insured?
No doubt you spend a lot of money each year protecting your assets you worked so hard to obtain but have you been overlooking protection for the asset that allows you to posess all of the rest.
I know that this article makes sense as does stopping smoking. Smokers are aware that if they don’t stop they will loose from five to ten years of their life.
But that knowledge is not enough to make most smokers stop. This article will be agreed by many who have the need for this insurance but few if any will take any action.
People would prefer to insure things which are replaceable but do nothing about things which are irreplaceable.
Today, insurance policy benefits, become payable on the diagnosis of any of the following serious illnesses. Cancer, heart attack, coronary artery disease surgery, renal failure, stroke, major organ transplant, multiple sclerosis and any other terminal disease
Not very pleasant reading if you’re on vacation in Hua-Hin.
But these things happen. And here are some more unpalatable facts.
Each year in England and Wales 100,000 people have a first stroke. The lifetime risk of developing cancer is more than one in three. 31% of men and 43% of women will contact cancer and survive for at least five years.
Within 6 years of a recognized heart attack 18% of men will have another attack but after the first one it is too late to insure against the second.
So check out the cost for yourself. Which do you think you need most - the money that the policy will cost during the time when you are well and working or the benefits when you are sick or injured?
But let’s not finish on a sad note. The good news on a contract like this is that if you’re in your Thirties or early Forties, it is highly likely that you can claim all your payments back when you reach retirement age, if you haven’t made a claim before that.
So check it out. What have you got to loose.
For further information or a quotation on this policy send details to info@swissinvestcenter.com

Flight News

With thanks to Alain De Rocker
Troops Move In To Heathrow
More than 400 troops moved in on early Feb 11 to boost security at London Heathrow, the UK's busiest international airport as fears of a terrorist attack heightened.
There were concerns that the end of the Muslim religious festival Eid that week could be marked by attacks launched by groups with links to al-Qaeda.
The military was deployed in several areas at Heathrow, including check points. They also patroled the airport perimeters as they joined 1000 police already on site!
Police authorities said security is to be tightened in other areas of the city because of a potential threat to the capital. The use of troops "is related to action being taken in other countries and the possibility that the end of the religious festival of Eid may erroneously be used by al-Qaeda and associated networks to mount attacks," a police statement said.

Air India Bomb Man Jailed
A man who was involved in the bombing of an Air India plane eighteen years ago has been jailed for five years after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges.
Inderjit Singh Reyjav, a Sikh, admitted acquiring materials to make the bomb which killed all 329 people on board the flight from Montreal to New Delhi. Two other Sikh men are awaiting trial on more serious charges of murder and conspiracy. Reyjav's apparently light sentence was handed down by a Canadian court after it heard that his role in the attack was relatively minor. He had originally faced a charge of murder.
The Air India flight blew up over the Atlantic in June 1985 and investigators believe the attack was carried out in revenge for an attack by India on the Sikh's sacred Golden Temple at Amritsar.
The explosion was preceded by a bombing attempt on an Air India plane at Tokyo's Narita Airport. An hour earlier two baggage handlers at the airport died when a bomb in a bag, which was intended for an Air India flight, exploded on the ground. Reyjav, 51, who holds both UK and Canadian passports, served a ten-year prison sentence in Britain for his part in the Tokyo incident.

War Threatens Air Passenger Growth - IATA
Asia and South America showed the healthiest growth in air passenger traffic last year, while Europe and the US caught the worst of the slump, according to new figures.
Statistics released by the International Air Transport Association show passenger traffic worldwide rising by just 0.06 percent in 2002.
The Geneva-based organization was more optimistic about prospects for the current year, but said its forecast of 6.4 percent growth will depend on avoiding a war in Iraq.
IATA said passenger traffic last year in the Asia Pacific region grew 5.8 percent year-on-year, with China leading he way, while traffic in South America increased by 6.4 percent.
This was in stark contrast to Europe, which experienced a fall of 4.9 percent. In North America passenger numbers were down by 0.9 percent.
Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general, said that overall traffic figures are starting to recover but the potential conflict in Iraq is worrying. "The war is the last thing the industry needs today," he told a news conference in Singapore.

Global Terror Warning To US Travelers
Another global warning on terrorism has been given to Americans traveling abroad by the US State Department.
The worldwide caution, issued last month, replaces a similar warning made in November and reminds people to be aware of the dangers of a terrorist attack.
It asks travelers to remain vigilant due to a heightened threat of terrorist actions that may target civilians, including the possibility of attacks by non-conventional weapons. It also reminds American citizens traveling or living overseas to avoid demonstrations.
US citizens and interests are vulnerable to attacks, including those by groups with links to Al-Qaeda, says the government. Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, assassinations or kidnappings.
The State Department goes on to say that while conventional weapons such as explosive devices pose a more immediate threat in many areas overseas, terrorist use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents must be considered a growing threat.
These individuals and groups have proved that they do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Because security and security awareness have been elevated within the United States, terrorists may target US interests overseas. Private Americans should remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and exercise caution.
Attacks on places of worship and schools, and the murders of private American citizens and other westerners, demonstrate that as security is increased at official US facilities, terrorists and their sympathizers will seek softer targets. These may include facilities where Americans or possibly other foreigners are generally known to congregate or visit, such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. Americans should increase their security awareness when they are at such locations, avoid them, or switch to other locations where Americans in large numbers generally do not congregate. There is a possibility that
American citizens may be targeted for kidnapping or assassination. Demon-strations in many parts of the world may have an anti-American character. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn into confrontational situations and possibly escalate into violence. US citizens traveling or residing abroad should avoid demonstrations and take commonsense precautions.
The warning is due to expire on May 4.

News from Hua Hin Dog Rescue Centre.

HHDRC got itself a new volunteer. A few months ago, Verity joined Christine’s crusade and both of them shared the hard work of caring for Hua Hin stray dogs. Verity came here, from England, many years ago and now speaks Thai fluently. For Christine, it was a huge relief to get some help from her.
She now joins Leana, an Italian, who has resided in Hua Hin for 4 years. She speaks Thai as well and has offered to take care of the Center 2 days per week.
Verity, Leana and Christine are now forming an international team fully dedicated to save and cure Thai stray dogs, each at the centre for 2 or 3 days per week.
Tukky will continue (when her baby will allow), to serve as interpreter and as public relations officer among the native Thai population.
HHDRC is now fully in hands of the feminine gender! All are volunteers and do not get one penny for their hard work. As Christine has more time available to tour Hua Hin to look for dogs in need, she can distribute food and medicines. Indeed, sheltering the dogs in HHDRC is considered as a last solution: Stray dogs are born free and the Center tries to keep them so. However, the fence of a narrow dog pen may become a peaceful paradise for those, too sick, too old or too weak, that can not stand the hard reality of the street anymore!
Last month, nearly 200 injections were given by the vet as a nasty virus started to decimate the dogs in the Rescue!
HHDRC is constantly seeking for financial help from tourists and locals. Good will is flowing in but money remains the nerve of the crusade: vets, medicines, sterilizations are unfortunately not free in Thailand!

Follow the crusade on http://www.dogrescuecenter.com or come to visit the Centre and see for yourself.
Call Christine at 032-513664 to arrange a meeting.

Favourite Holiday Dishes - Crsipy Fish Salad

With thanks this month to Sasi Resturant for providing the recipe
Ingredients:

200 grams fish fillet (Snapper)

1 table sp. Chopped shallots
1 table sp. Chopped spring onions
1 tea sp. Choped parsley
1 table sp. Finely ground parched rice
1 tea sp. Dried chilli powder
2 table sp. Fish sauce
2 table sp. Lime juice
1 tea sp. Sugar
2 Sprigs Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Cooking Method:

1) Fry fish fillet in oil over medium heat until golden, remove and drain.

2) Prepare salad dressing (Thai Style) by mixing together chilli powder, fish sauce,
lime juice, and sugar, add roasted rice, choppped shallots and spring onions,
mix together well.

3) Pour dressing over the fried fish and
garnish with mint leaves.

Don’t forget if you want to try this dish before cooking it yourself - order it at Sasi near the Hyatt Regency

Hearty congratulations to John and Pimporn on the birth of daughter Kataria

Michael and Anna to be wed on March 9th 2003 in Prachuabkhirikhan Province

Il and Nigel with baby Christopher - “Los Amigos”

Khun Nidnoi (left) and family members at the re-opening of Baan Hua Hin

Widg (centre) needed a bit of help from Mick and Richard to get through the Tequila on the grand opening of The Londoner

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