May 2020
N o w o n l i n e a t : w w w. i s s u u . c o m / n n r t h a n i t a l k
Thani Talk NONTHABURI NEIGHBORHOOD REACH
Serving the Nonthaburi community and supporting local charities since 1994
NNR News:
Cover Story:
PEOPLE:
The New NNR! Revamp Focuses on Charity Pages 4-7
Sharing Farewells during COVID-19 Era Pages 16-23
Tech Expert Mr. Fix-It Ian Younie
Thani Talk is generously sponsored by: September 2019
Pages 28-29
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Culture Corner: Divine Naga in Buddhism and Hinduism Page 32-33
NNR (Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach) is a not-for-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to serving the Nonthaburi community and supporting local charities since 1994. We raise funds by publishing Thani Talk, a free monthly magazine that has a distribution of 1,400 copies, as well as by hosting the NNR Annual Charity Bazaar. Additionally, NNR hosts socials and organizes monthly tours. There are no membership dues, and anyone living in Nonthaburi is already a member.
Connect with NNR
facebook.com/nnrthailand
issuu.com/nnrthanitalk
Unofficialnichada.com
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DISCLAIMER: The placement of advertisements and articles in this newsletter does not constitute or imply endorsement by the NNR of any product or service. The NNR accepts no responsibility for any claims made in any advertisement and the opinions expressed in any articles are not necessarily the views of the NNR committee.
NNR BOARD 2018-2019 Chairperson
Sally Elliott
NNRThaiChair@gmail.com
Vice Chairperson
Liz Garrigan
lizgarrigan@gmail.com
Treasurer
Dorothy Dapaah
nnrthaitreasurer@gmail.com
Activity/Tour Coordinators
Pascale Kervyn Maida Muslic-Kovar
nnrtour@gmail.com
NNR Socials
Chantal Bremner
nnrsocial@gmail.com
Charity & Volunteer Coordinator
Jenna Deacon-Potter
nnrcharity@gmail.com
Advertising Director
Ginny Condra
Thani Talk News Team
Liz Lu (Editor) See below for Thani Talk Team
nnrnews@gmail.com
Distribution Coordinators
Birgit Sund
nnrttdist@gmail.com
Communications Director
Kiki O’Connor
nnrcommunications@gmail. com
095-247-5692 nnradverts@gmail.com
Thani Talk Team: Advertising Director and Proofreader (Ginny Condra), Graphics Consultant (Bill Fear, Rose Marie Academy), Graphic Designer (Shea Barnett) Restaurant Reviewer (Vara Sumetanon), Distribution Coordinator ( Birgit Sund). 2 May 2020 T h a n i Ta l k
Letter from NNR’s Chairperson
Nontahburi Neighborhood Reach (NNR) Established 1994
A volunteer group serving the Nonthaburi community and supporting local charities Inside This Issue NNR Social
Letter from NNR’s Chairperson NNR News NNR News: Thani Talk NNR News: Charity Cover Story: Farewells During COVID-19 PEOPLE: Ian Younie Culture Corner Eco-News Community News Delivery Services Online Learning Deliveries & Other Local Services
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Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach May 2020
Cover Photo by Piercarlo Abate Bougainvillea-lined Street during Covid lockdown Nichada Thani Nonthaburi, Thailand
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NNR News
New Direction for NNR
Volunteer Group Revamps After Quarter Century of Service Now to Focus on Single Mission: Charity Dear Friends, During this enforced lockdown, many of us are recognizing the importance of relationships with our families and friends, near and far, and have spent a lot of time in reflection. We probably all agree that life, as we have known it, will be changed forever Sally Elliott, once restrictions are relaxed. NNR Chairperson Alongside that, many of us may have reassessed what we want to do with our future, and where we want to be. Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach (NNR) is no different. We have been in discussion for many months about our purpose and goals. Over the past 25 years, NNR has been a critical organization for the Nichada community and traditionally has had three objectives: 1. To foster connections between people 2. To disseminate information within the community 3. To raise money for and to support local charities We’ve worked incredibly hard toward these goals and have donated millions of baht to support worthy causes, most recently to health workers dealing with COVID patients. In the last five years alone, we have donated approximately six million baht in support of orphans, trafficking victims, the homeless, the disabled, and other marginalized people in our area. Nichada has changed markedly in recent years, and so we believe it’s time for the NNR to respond and reflect this change. Demographic shifts have made a significant impact on the availability of volunteers, and we have seen the extraordinary success of social media in connecting people and sharing information. This means that some of our traditional objectives are no longer relevant. In addition, several of our Board members will be stepping back or leaving this summer, and we have decided it’s time to refocus our efforts solely on charity. As such, we will continue to support those in need, 4
Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach * SINCE 1994 * A volunteer group serving the Nonthaburi community and supporting local charities specifically through the Annual Bazaar and other fundraising projects, which will all be promoted via Facebook. However, we will cease all other NNR initiatives. For those of us who have long valued Thani Talk, our Social events, and our Tours, this may feel a little sad, but I prefer we celebrate our long and successful history. NNR has spent the last 25 years enhancing our community and giving back to those in need in our host country, especially to our neighbours here in Nonthaburi. We say a HUGE THANK YOU to all Board members for their services and to all supporters of the NNR! As we say farewell to Thani Talk with this last edition, we are especially grateful to Editor Liz Lu, and hope that you enjoy the content one last time ☺
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Sally Elliott, NNR Chairperson May 2020
NNR News
Farewell to Thani Talk In “Lu” of Flowers
Month after month for the past decade, Liz Lu has toiled as editor of Thani Talk, conceiving story ideas, writing helpful dispatches, wrangling contributors and their copy, and generally serving to inform and engage Nichada residents — keeping us connected, enlightened, and up to Liz Garrigan, date about what’s going NNR Vice-Chair on both within and outside our community. Her work has been quiet, tireless, and consuming — indeed often thankless. In this, NNR’s final issue of Thani Talk, we’d like to correct that, to properly acknowledge and express our gratitude to Liz for a decade as editor of NNR’s magazine. She was editor twice, during two stints on the NNR Board. Thani Talk has served readers and advertisers well and created a bridge between our expat bubble and the greater Nonthaburi area. Liz, a former reporter for The Bergen Record (New Jersey), L.A. Daily News and Los Angeles Times, has managed to carry this load even while founding and nurturing the local charity Bumble Bee Free Library, which provides books, language classes, and activities for Thais and expats alike. The library has created free access to learning, education scholarships, and other resources for our Thai neighbors, forging opportunities to bring locals and expats together. Lesser people — and that’s most of us — would wither under the weight of these enormous volunteer duties. And yet Liz has carried on year after year, and still nurtured a mean Ultimate Frisbee game. She’s watched her children, ISB alumni, grow up and move away and saw Nichada transform over time. “We used to have elephants coming down the sois here,” she says with some nostalgia. “I know the expats; I know the locals; I’ve seen the Thai neighborhood kids grow up.” Liz has also witnessed the transformative nature of social media in our daily lives, the power of its immediacy and its ability to create the kind of self-selecting, almost tribal, connections that once depended on coffee klatches and the sort of socials NNR was known so well for hosting. It, as much as anything, has helped inform where NNR goes from here. If we could, we’d be throwing a party to celebrate NNR’s evolution toward a more tightly focused May 2020
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charity mission and Liz’s colossal contributions to this community. But we can’t do that these days — at least not yet — and so, perhaps fittingly, a virtual toast will have to suffice for now. Here’s to you, Liz. Thanks for everything and see you at Story Time. Liz Garrigan, NNR Vice-Chairperson
End of an Era: Thani Talk Editor Liz Lu (left) and Advertising Coordinator Ginny Condra holding pre-pandemic print editions of NNR’s monthly magazine.
Ultimate Fun: Taking a break at an Ultimate Frisbee tournament. 5 Ta l k
NNR News: Thani Talk
Thani Talk magazine has been serving our community for more than a quarter of a century. In 1997, when my family moved from Bangkok to Nonthaburi, I worried about being stuck out in a suburban hinterland without the abundant resources of downtown. How pleasantly surprised I was when I opened my apartment mailbox to find a little newsletter offering community news. Immediately, I felt more connected. It mentioned pizza delivery services. Okay, I was good to go. Those were the days before Facebook and instant messaging. Neighbors needed a way to communicate and share information. NNR co-founder Kacie Liput said in a 1998 interview, “What was important to me was having programs that were free, and a newsletter for free.” Back then, the newsletter wasn’t called Thani Talk. It was simply 14 typed pages stapled together, under the heading “Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach.” Back then, NNR had no board of directors, just 2 to 3 volunteers. One was in charge of coffee mornings that brought neighbors together; one produced the magazine, which was sent to the school print shop for photocopying, and one was in charge of the distribution of the initial 300 copies. Before Thani Talk went online exclusively last month (prompted by environmental reasons and COVID-19), the now 52-page print publication was delivered for free to more than 1,300 homes by Distribution Coordinator Birgit Sund and her superb team of volunteers. I would like to thank Birgit and the rest of Thani Talk’s production team – tech & graphic consultant Bill Fear of Rose Marie Academy, graphic designer Shea Barnett, and advertising director Ginny Condra. A special farewell to Ginny as she moves back to North Carolina in the US after 14 years in Asia, 9 years in Vietnam and 5 years in Bangkok. The advertising income brought in by Thani Talk accounted for 45 to 50 percent of NNR’s annual budget, as reported by NNR Treasurer Dorothy Dapaah. Of that I am exceedingly proud. It means that Thani Talk played a pivotal role not just in providing news to our community, but also in raising funds to support charities. The hard work was not for naught. But the lightning speed of the internet and social media have made the role of a monthly magazine obsolete. I bid readers a fond farewell as the stream-lined NNR forges ahead to focus on its charity mission. Liz Lu, Editor 6
Ginny Condra
Birgit Sund
Thani Talk Production Team
Extra! Extra! Thani Talk’s Final Edition Thani Talk Through the Years: 1994-2020
Bill Fear
Shea Barnett
Khop Khun Kha to Our Advertisers On behalf of the Thani Talk team and the NNR Board, I would like to sincerely thank all of our advertisers for their support over the years. Thani Talk has been a go-to source of information for Nichada residents for the past 25 years! We have been fortunate to feature a broad advertising base representing a variety of businesses serving the holistic needs of our community. We value each of our advertising clients and thank you for supporting Thani Talk. Additionally, generous sponsorships from Asian Tigers and ISB have also helped to cover printing costs. Each of you has contributed to NNR’s charitable mission! Thank you once again for helping to better the lives of women, children and families in need. In 2020, your support also made it possible for NNR to donate to help front line workers and others affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Ginny Condra, Advertising Director May 2020
NNR News: Thani Talk
Thanking Our Volunteer Distributors
Braving Rain, Humidity and Smog, They Got Thani Talk to You With Special Thanks to Distribution Coordinator Birgit Sund Birgit Sund Kelly Kabat Birgitte Hansen Laila Jørgensen Jennifer Zwierzynski Marion Den Hartog Megan Nistler Miriam Sheldon Kathy Mannikko Heather Clary Natalie Sanders Tina Chada Ginny Condra Sibyl Trosse Natalie Lollback Napisa Pant Eriko Sugawara Sassy C & Gordon Gorman Vera Day, Piper Day Janelle Thornton
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Helen R Weir Yukiko Saito Meyung Robson Kiki O´Connor Patsy Remijan Liz Lu Stephanie Romasanta
For archive editions of Thani Talk (2012-Present) check out this link: issuu.com/nnrthanitalk
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Charity News
May 2020
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NNR News: Charity
NNR Charity Wraps Up Productive Year Each year the wonderful generosity of the Nichada community and our Bazaar sponsors enables us to make a real contribution and impact across a number of charitable organisations here in Nonthaburi. Our charity partners need different types of support such as financial support, donations in kind and manpower to complete projects to benefit their organisations. Financial Support: This year we have supported 10 local charities benefitting children, the disabled, the elderly and the destitute. We have worked with each charity to establish their individual needs and have enabled them to purchase IT equipment, physiotherapy equipment, clean drinking water systems, sanitary products and medications. The charities have also benefitted from the purchase of garden equipment, tables and chairs for studying, kitchen equipment and the repair of vehicles used for the transportation of children and the disabled. NNR is also proud to have funded a New Year celebration event at Baan Kredtrakarn for the victims of child trafficking. In March, NNR made its biggest donation of the year (160,000 baht) to support the front line medical teams who are caring for the victims of COVID-19 in Nonthaburi. This money was used to purchase masks, shower products and hot meals for the doctors and nurses who are providing outstanding medical care to the victims of this new disease. Donations in Kind: As always the generosity of the Nichada community has been overwhelming and throughout the year your gifts of used clothing, toys and furniture have been gratefully received by a number of our charities. NNR has coordinated the gifting of sofa sets to Home for Hope, beds and bedding to Thanksgiving Home and countless boxes of toys and clothing to the Christian Care Foundation for Children with Disabilities. Our charity partners are incredibly grateful for your generosity. Projects: This year NNR has also been pleased to partner again with ISB to identify community projects that provide a real opportunity for teachers, staff and students to support those in need in Nonthaburi. 10
For example, in November, Home for the Destitute benefitted from ISB's generous donation of fruit trees and vegetable saplings, and ISB staff donated their personal time to plant these tree saplings with the aim of providing a sustainable supply of fruit and vegetables for the residents. ISB teachers and support staff also repainted the holding rooms at Home for the Destitute creating a much brighter environment for the detainees who are kept there. At NNR we are deeply grateful for all of your contributions and proud to be able to partner with so many outstanding charities that do such a wonderful job of looking after those in need in Nonthaburi. We thank everyone who has purchased tickets, donated unwanted items and gifted their time freely this year. Jenna Deacon-Potter
Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach (NNR) Supporting Local Charities Since 1994
NNR-Supported Charities * Nonthaburi Animal Welfare Alliance * Home for the Destitute * Home for Hope * Christian Care Foundation for Children with Disabilities (CCD) * iCare Foundation (Kredtrakan Home for Girls) * iCare Foundation (Poomwaet Home for Boys) * Bumble Bee Free Library * Sailom Project * Thanksgiving Home
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NNR News: Charity
NNR Wine Survivor Fundraiser Winners Announced! Money Raised to Fund COVID-19 Aid
Online draw shared in Facebook group Expats of Nichada
After four weeks of draws and several people buying extra immunities, a winner has been crowned in this special COVID-19 version of Wine Survivor. Thanks to the 25 people who signed up this round, we raised 12,480 baht which will go directly to efforts to relieve the impacts of COVID-19 in our area! Top winner Annelie Ostmark-Rauker, who did buy an immunity to get back in the game, will take home a mix of reds and whites and a bottle of bubbles totalling 13 bottles. Our 2nd and 3rd place winners, David John and Lakhdeep Barba, who survived without being pulled out during the entire game, won 6 bottles each! As much as it pains me to pull these names out every week, I really enjoy this game and I hope you do too! Look for a new round after the summer months when we hope to offer new, fun ways to play this game! Thanks again! Chantal Bremner
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NNR News: Charity
NNR Grant Offers Support During Pandemic Protecting the Front Line. Feeding the Hungry
As April draws to a close, we find ourselves looking back on a incredibly hectic few months with gratitude and thankfulness. With a generous grant from NNR, iCare Foundation was able to distribute more than 2,500 N95 surgical masks, 800 face shields, 360 supply bags for those on the front lines, and 100 sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for medical staff. We’re thankful that the situation remains so far under control, and that the steps taken to date are working. We’re thankful for all those on the front line who willingly put themselves at risk to serve the greater good, and we’re thankful for the hundreds of people who came together to make this possible. For me, that was the beauty in the tragedy, to see people from all walks of life come together to make a difference using the skills that they had. From families that sewed hundreds of face masks, to Two Sweet Lovers Café, whose staff members worked around the clock to bake more than 800 pastries for those on the front line, to the taxi drivers who would send people to and from hospitals for free. This gave me hope that no matter how long this goes on and what additional challenges we face in the future, as we come together and step out of our comfort zone to help those in need, those needs will be met. As we close this phase of our disaster relief operations, we move on to a more widespread threat, the suffering and hunger caused by the economic impacts of COVID-19. More than 11 million are currently below the poverty line in Thailand, and their suffering has been made much more acute by this tragedy. We’ve identified three slums in the immediate Nonthaburi area which are in need of immediate assistance. A donation of 300 baht can provide the basic essentials to alleviate hunger for a family for a week; we aim to provide 200 sets of supplies, along with fresh food from now until the crisis has passed. In closing, let us think on the immortal words of Quaker missionary Etienne de Grellet, “I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” Michael Andreassen 12
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Cover Story: Farewells During COVID-19
Annual Farewell Issue: Some Have Left Early In this annual farewell edition, some of the goodbyes are like no other. In fact, they are historic. As the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc around the world, prompting many countries to ban entry and forcing airlines to cancel flights, many of our neighbors were scrambling to figure out a way to get back to their home countries before international borders shut completely. Some neighbors have departed already, thankful they were able to catch one of the remaining flights out of Thailand. Tara Osterstock left on April 11 for Texas with her two sons to rejoin her husband who had left earlier.
She chronicles their journey back to Dallas. Other neighbors getting ready to leave this summer are caught in limbo, waiting to see if under COVID-19 restrictions, their departure will even be possible. They share their memories of Thailand and their plans for the future, however uncertain they may be. We wish all of them good health and safe travels as they embark on their next adventure. Liz Lu, Editor, Thani Talk
Flying Home During Height of COVID-19 Osterstock Family’s Journey to Reunite in Texas
In mid-December, my family received the bittersweet news that we would be moved back to the United States. My husband, Jeremy, began his new position in Dallas, Texas at the end of January, while my children and I stayed to finish the school year. As we all know, February brought COVID-19 to our doorstep in Thailand, and by March, Jeremy’s company grew nervous that they would not be able to see us safely to the US if we did not leave immediately. On March 26th, we made the difficult decision to start the process of packing up our home in preparation to return to the United States so that we could be together again as a family. Also during this time, COVID-19 continued to spread and the Ministry of Health in Thailand began 16
implementing new rules in an attempt to contain the virus. A curfew was implemented, provinces were closed off from each other, and, most alarming for our family, the airport closed to all incoming flights. When I heard this news, I assumed that we would not be able to leave as scheduled. How can a flight leave if the incoming plane never arrived? As our departure date grew closer, however, the flight status did not change. On the evening of April 11th, my two sons and I made the trip to Suvarnabhumi Airport in an unprecedented 40 minutes. We gathered our bags and proceeded through the only doorway to the airport that was not closed and blocked off. At the door, we were stopped for a temperature check and given a sticker indicating that it
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Cover Story: Farewells
was normal. Walking into the airport check-in area was unlike anything I have ever seen. Each departure screen showed page after page of flight cancellations, and the cavernous hall was virtually barren. Our flight was one of only two flights that were leaving! All stores and restaurants were closed, completely cleared of all merchandise and wrapped in plastic wrap, making the deserted hallways echo eerily in their emptiness. There was no line at either the security checkpoint or passport control, but instead of enjoying this emptiness, it ratcheted up our anxiety because of what it represented. Seven hours later, after making the trip on an almostempty plane, we landed in Tokyo, Japan, and were asked to wait on the airplane until another flight had deplaned and passed through the quarantine checkpoint. They did not want a mass of arriving travelers waiting together. We sat on the plane for a little over an hour before the doors were opened. As travelers who were only transiting through Japan, we moved directly to a security point and on to our next gate. Because we were not attempting to stay in the country, no health check was necessary. Our second flight was much like the first, almost empty. Again, it would have been much more enjoyable if not for the anxiety produced when one realized why
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no one else is travelling. Upon landing in Dallas, Texas, it was midday on a Saturday, and there would normally have been a crush to get through passport control. Instead, we encountered no lines and very few other travelers. As we exited the international terminal, my husband waved at us from afar and tossed me my car keys. There would be no hugs or happy reunions until after our two weeks of self-quarantine. Preparing for, then going through, travel at this time was a paradox. On one hand, the emptiness made it one of the most seamless journeys we’ve ever embarked upon. On the other hand, the looming threat of COVID-19, along with the reality that people around the world are continuing to get sick, made the lead-up and travel one of the most anxiety-inducing experiences of my life. We are incredibly happy to be together as a family, again, but I would urge everyone, if you can, to stay home until it is safer to travel.
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Tara Osterstock
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Cover Story: Farewells
Kennellys: Early Departure & Missing Our Friends Nationality: American Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Other postings: Melbourne, Australia Company that brought us to Thailand: Bayer Years in Thailand: 3.5 years Number of children: 2 Moved to: St. Louis, Missouri, USA Plans: We enjoyed our international life so much for more than seven years, but it is time for us to continue our adventures in our own country. We need to make up for lost time with family and friends we missed while abroad, and to start helping my oldest daughter prepare for going to college/university soon. Ideally we will welcome some of our international friends to our home and keep building the beautiful friendships we started. Memories: My greatest memories of Thailand are not places or things, but the people I shared my time with. I met amazing people in community service (Pakkred Babies Home, Home for the Destitute, ESL, ISB) and in social circles (way too many to list but lots of laughter and love was shared). How did COVID-19 impact your departure? My move was definitely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. I went on a house hunting trip back to the USA in mid-February, and at the same time the world began exploding with virus cases. We had to make an agonizing decision that left my children and myself staying in the USA instead of going back to Thailand. We were not able to say final goodbyes, pack our things, or end our time in Thailand with full closure. Our family drama continued as my husband had to go back to Thailand for a few weeks and pack our things, ship our dog, and find a viable flight back to us. He managed to board one of the last flights out of Thailand during the shutdowns and travel bans. I am happy to say we are now all safe and together. We wish life were different, but we are trying to remember our blessings. We miss all of you and wish health and happiness to all of you during this devastating time in the world. Know this, that the people throughout my life are my greatest treasures, and I thank you all for how rich you have made me. Liz Kennelly
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Cover Story: Farewells
Elinna Bahrin: Looking Forward to Family Reunion in Kuala Lumpur
Nationality: Malaysian Hometown: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Other postings: Jakarta, Indonesia Company: Petronas (National Petroleum Company of Malaysia) Number of years in Thailand: 6 Number of children: 2 Moving to: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Plans: To settle down in Malaysia for a few years before considering another overseas posting Memories: The best part of my life in Bangkok was my 5-year stay in Nichada. We moved to Nichada during our second year here. I have met so many wonderful people that really touched my life in many ways—the ISB community, being part of the ISB PTA Board in different capabilities (as Welcome Wai Co-ordinator, Country Rep & High School Coordinator, Booster Club Treasurer for the last two years), my Malaysian & Singaporean sisters at ISB, and my dancing sisters --- the Bollywood Belles & Latin dance groups. Nichada is definitely a melting pot of nationalities and cultures. I have loved organising and participating in so many events or socials held in school, the Nichada community and also downtown with the other groups such as the Ladies of the Malaysian Embassy, AWC, IWC and so on. One of my best experiences was dancing with the Bollywood Belles. I loved every single dance class I've had here and of course the excitement of performing our dances in our Bollywood costumes. Wonderful memories that I’ll never forget. My friends here have been such May 2020
great support for me emotionally and physically. They are always there to give my family and me a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on when I'm down and a good laugh when I need one. These friendships will last a lifetime, and we will most definitely keep in touch even when all of us have moved on from here. I will also miss my Panipa sessions. The ladies at Panipa have spoilt me the last five years. Oh and not to forget, I will definitely miss my weekend outings to Chatuchak! Advice: Be active and get involved in the community. It's the best way to meet people and build lifetime friendships. Learn a bit of conversational Thai. It will definitely make living here much easier for you. Is your move prompted by the impacts of COVID-19? While the situation does not directly affect our move, it definitely made our move back home a little bit earlier than expected. We plan to leave at the end of May, if the situation permits us to do so. We stayed on the last year here so that our son could finish off his senior year at ISB. Since IB has been cancelled and school lessons are now conducted virtually, there is no reason to stay on until the school term finishes in mid June. I stayed on with my children the past year as my husband was reassigned to Kuala Lumpur since April 2019. The fact that my husband will not be able to visit us due to the closure of borders has made living here during the COVID-19 pandemic quite challenging. While most families have been able to spend time as a family during this time, we have had to face this situation on our own here. Every cloud has a silver lining. Even with the uncertainties going on around, we are so thankful to be in this community. I definitely feel safer & more secure here with my children. Elinna Bahrin
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Cover Story: Farewells
Hinako Naito: Welcoming Empty Nester Years
Nationality: Japanese Hometown: Nagoya city, Aichi, Japan Other postings: None Reason for coming to Thailand: My husband runs his own business in Japan. We moved to Thailand because we thought staying in another country would be a good experience for us, like an adventure. Years in Thailand: Four years downtown, four years in Nichada.
Number of children: Three (29-year-old working in Tokyo, 27-year-old working in the US, plus our youngest in ISB’s Class of 2020) Moving to what city and country: Tokyo, Japan Plans: My son just graduated from ISB, and he will start his university life in the US. That means we have no children living with us anymore. I will enjoy my time with my husband and wait for our children to make us grandparents in the future. Memories: After moving to Nichada, I started playing tennis again for the first time in 20 years. Tennis gave me the opportunity to meet many great friends whom I will never forget. Impacts of Covid: We are considering whether to postpone the date of return to Japan because of COVID-19 now. My husband has already been in Japan though. The situation in Japan is not good so far. If we go back, we may spread the infection. However this is so difficult to decide. Hinako Naito Translation by Mikiko Mizusawa
Marshall Family: Heading Back to the USA Nationality: American Hometown: Bellingham, Washington, USA Other overseas postings: Kayes, Mali (Peace Corps) Organization that brought you to Thailand: ISB Number of years in Thailand: 5 Number of children: 2 (Addie and AJ) Moving to: Blaine, Washington, USA Plans: I accepted a job as a choir teacher in beautiful Blaine, Washington. My wife Deedee will be looking for employment as an elementry school teacher. We are excited to get back to hiking in the mountains, boating on Puget Sound, cycling in Vancouver, Canada, and being close to family. Memories/Advice: We have absolutely loved our time here in Thailand and in this special community of Nichada Thani and ISB. From concerts to sporting events to social functions, the community here has embraced us and allowed us to feel supported and happy in this home away from home. Is your move prompted by the impacts of COVID-19? COVID-19 did not effect our decision to leave Thailand although it may be affecting our ability to leave!! I hope we get to connect with friends here before we leave. That is the tough part of all this. :( Andy Marshall 20
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Cover Story: Farewells
Wenmin Cheng: Returning to Shenzhen, China Nationality: Chinese Hometown: Jiangxi, China Other postings: None Company that brought you to Thailand: CP Group Years in Thailand: 7 Number of children: 1 Moving to what city and country: Shenzhen, China Plans: None Memories/Advice: It was very heartwarming when I saw that local Thai children were able to read and learn at Bumble Bee Free Library. I really enjoyed being part of such an inclusive, compassionate community. Impacts of Covid on your departure: Everything feels very uncertain right now because I don't know when I will be able to leave, and whether I should send my daughter off to the US. Wenmin Cheng
Sraboni Pal: Moved to Singapore Nationality: Indian Hometown: Kolkata, India Other postings: Singapore, Manila Company that brought you to Thailand: Mondelez International Number of years in Thailand: 8 years (approximately) Number of children: One son (Class of 2018) Moving to what city and country: Singapore Plans: To settle down and get involved in some community activity. Take up some classes (baking to start with) which will keep me busy. Memories/Advice: Too many to count. School years in ISB, IASAS, golf cart, my son's graduation to name a few. I was very involved in school which helped me make some lifetime friends. Enjoyed every moment of my stay in Nichada and carrying with me very fond memories Advice : Nichada is a very welcoming global community, safe and secure for your kids. Get involved. Plenty of opportunities in school, volunteer for some charity events, enhance your knowledge through various courses offered by adult education or otherwise. Learn to speak Thai, May 2020
enjoy Thai food. Thailand has a lot to offer so explore exciting Thailand, and it will be easy to sail through your days at your home abroad. Is your move prompted by the impacts of Covid-19? Covid-19 had a big impact on my move as I had to prepone my moving date, as Singapore was imposing a ban on entry to visitors. I had to leave my pet behind who is still in Bangkok waiting for Thai airways to resume its flights for joining us. It was heartbreaking not to be able to meet and hug friends before leaving. Never expected to end my stay in this manner.
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Sraboni Pal
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YogaStory: & Fitness Classes Cover Farewells
Martin Family: Returning to Virgina, USA Nationality: USA Hometown: Leesburg, Virginia Other overseas postings: Germany Organization that brought you to Thailand: US Government Number of years in Thailand: 2 Number of children: 3 Moving to what city and country: Same as hometown :) Plans: figure out what our "new normal" will be Memories: Good - travel with my family. Bad - trash at the beach. Advice: Say yes to every single invitation. Even if it is a little scary. You might find the best thing ever. Or at least you'll have a good story to tell. I now have many. Dawn Martin
Yumi Musha: Back to the Land of the Rising Sun Nationality: Japanese Hometown: Tokyo, Japan Other postings: None Company that brought you to Thailand: Mitsui Co. (1st & 2nd time); My husband’s own company (3rd time) Number of years in Thailand: 17 years in total Number of children: 2 Moving to what city and country: Tokyo, Japan Plans: Traveling after COVID-19 Memories: I am thankful that my children got many amazing experiences at ISB and in Thailand. When my younger daughter was in first grade, she started to learn the violin because she was impressed by an older student performing this instrument at ISB. She still continues to play the violin now. She was fortunate to be able to join music orchestras and events such as Siam Sinfonietta, AMIS, and IASAS. These activities allowed her to have the wonderful experience of performing in more than 15 countries in Europe, Asia, and the USA. For AMIS, there were students from other schools who took more than a day of traveling just to get out of their country, 22
and I was moved by the performance that the students from all over the world put together as one orchestra in a historical building. I am grateful to all the teachers from ISB and other schools that made this experience possible. For us parents as well, being able to go watch this performance in Salzburg during the winter was definitely one of the great memories we have. Lastly, thank you so much to my friends with whom I spent time together in Nichada.
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Yumi Musha May 2020
Cover Story: Farewells
Maida Muslic-Kovar: Headed to Guatemala
Nationality: USA (Bosnian-American) Hometown: Vienna, Virginia, USA Other postings: Croatia, Guatemala, Japan, South Korea, Costa Rica Organization that brought you to Thailand: United State Agency for International Development (USAID)/ US Embassy Bangkok Years in Thailand: 5 total (2 tours) Number of children: 2 Moving to: Guatemala City, Guatemala, second time, previously posted there for 3 years with the United Nations. Plans: Looking forward to being geographically closer to my kids (in college in Canada and US), working at the post, speaking Spanish again, traveling through South America and Caribbean. Memories: Too many to count, most of them amazing and unique - from witnessing the history in the making (protests/shut down Bangkok 2013/2014, passing of HM King Rama IX and coronation of HM King Rama X), meeting ex-Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, enjoying Thai culture, history, cuisine and learning Thai language, exploring county's natural beauty and diversity, traveling domestically and regionally. Also, getting to know many wonderful people in the Nichada community, having a chance to volunteer with ISB PTA and NNR, and working at the US Embassy
May 2020
with an amazing group of Thai colleagues. In my experience, Thais are some of the nicest and friendliest people in the world. I truly felt at home here and will miss it dearly, hope to come back one day. COVID-19 impact: Lack of “closure", missing our last Songkran and regional travels; saddened that our daughter, a HS senior, will not be able to experience the best events of her last HS semester (graduation, prom and senior trip), and that her brother cannot fly to Thailand from the States to join us during our last couple of months here. We do not anticipate any significant delays in departure from Thailand since it is scheduled for September; our employer usually has a contingency plan in place, and we are used to ad hoc changes.
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Maida Muslic-Kovar
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May 2020
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PEOPLE: Ian Younie
Ian Younie
Tech Expert: Mr. Fix-It of Nichada the world, with a focus on the safety features of trains. Siemens sent him to work in Asia in 1992. That was the first time he had ever visited Asia. His first posting was in Japan. He was permanently based in Asia between 2001-2007, shuttling between four main Asian countries: Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and South Korea.
I talked with Ian during the April COVID-19 lockdown, when a lot of people were asked to spend time at home and practice “social distancing” from one another. I noticed he was tanned. I asked Ian why, and he said he’d been biking; a hobby he picked up since he was given a bike by a friend of his. He bikes about four times a week, around 20-30 kilometers each time, sometimes alone, sometimes with a buddy of his. He said he’s been busy during the pandemic. It’s funny and surprising, he said, how more people manage to break things (electronics) during the lockdown when they have so much time on their hands. Or they dig up some old electronics that might have some life left in them and give it to Ian to fix. Now about Ian. He’s from Scotland (his phone has a bagpipe ring tone sound). He earned an Honors degree in Electronics from Stirling University in 1983 and started working at a company called Marconi in Scotland. His work there was mainly research and development. He was there for five years before being recruited to work for Siemens, a German-based international corporation. His responsibility at Siemens was assisting in the design and implementation of high-speed rail links around 28
Ian came to Thailand in 2007 after he took what he called “a redundancy package” from Siemens and decided to retire here. By that time, he was already married. His wife, Khun Dang, is Thai, and they met in Scotland in 1996. They were married in 2001. After a few months of retirement, Ian got bored. He and his wife decided to open an internet café on Samakee Road around the end of 2007. They bought the building, converted the ground floor into an internet café, leaving the second floor as their residence. The third floor was for the staff. The fourth floor was turned into a recording studio. Why a recording studio? I’ll get back to that later in the story. After a successful, seven-year run, Ian’s internet café closed in 2015. By then the internet had reached most
T h a n i Ta l k
May 2020
PEOPLE
people’s homes, relegating internet cafés to a thing of the past. Around 2009, Ian came to know a gentleman named Mike Hall, who was also a musician. Mr. Hall’s wife was a former ISB teacher from Scotland. They made a connection. That connection led to another contact within the IT Department of ISB. Ian started fixing computers, replacing parts, and doing other electronics work for the school. The rest, as they say, is history. Ian became known as an Apple Man within the Nichada community through word of mouth alone. Prior to this, he said he had never fixed an iPhone in his life. Everything he learned, he taught himself. Nowadays, Ian comes to Nichada for pick-ups and deliveries several times a week. He not only fixes iPhones but other electronics as well. His services include: transferring old files from VHS to hard drive, from old CDs to hard drive, etc; scanning pictures to store them in hard drive; and others. On his days off, he rides his bike and enjoys spending time at home with his rescue dog, Tango, and his wife. Now, back to that recording studio. Here’s a side of Ian that I’m willing to bet not a lot of people know about. He used to be a singer with a released album under the stage name Joe Milton!! How about that?! After our talk, he sent me one of his recordings and he was GOOD! It blew my mind. But he doesn’t sing anymore, he said. In fact, he sold off all of his recording equipment when he closed his café in 2015. Still, I think with enough libation of a quality singlemalt Scotch, Jo Milton just might make a comeback. Vara Sumetanon
***************** May 2020
(Top left) Ian as a 12-year-old lad in Scotland. (Top right) Cover of Ian’s music album “Love is in the Air”. He was 36 when he recorded under the stage name Joe Milton.
Nichada Electronics Ian Younie
Tel: 080-939-9544 Email: ianyounie@hotmail.com Line ID: iantheappleman
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Culture Corner
kohsamuisunset.com
Significance of the Divine Naga in Buddhism and Hindusim
Serpents or snakes exist throughout many cultures and religions, and their images can be found in sculptures dating back over 4,000 years. Here in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia, the ubiquitous snake-like “Naga” can been found within wats and in fountains, on royal rooflines, serving as bridges, and slinking down staircases. Literally translated from Sanskrit, Naga means cobra and is considered to be a divine or semi-divine race of half-human beings that live in the “underworld,” the realm beneath the earth. Snakes and serpents were an important part of animistic beliefs and ancient cultures long before appearing in the texts of many world religions. Their amazing ability to indefinitely re-shed their skin is a symbol of strength and renewal and represents fertility and life itself. Serpents have also been powerfully associated with water and appear in several mythologies including those in Greece, Mesopotamia, and Scandinavia. Chinese or East Asian mythology includes the iconic dragon, frequently depicted as snake-like with four legs and symbolizing potent and auspicious powers like control over water, rainfall, typhoons, and floods. Here in Southeast Asia it is easy to understand the correlation between water and snakes as they come out of their burrows with the seasonal rain and cooler temperatures. The mere shape of a snake looks like the river which delivers water to rice fields.
Hindusim: Birth of the Naga The Indian Mahabharata, one of two ancient Indian Sanskrit epics, includes the origin of the Nagas. Vasuki and Vinata were competitive sisters and two of the 13 wives of Sage Kashyapa. One chose to bear 1,000 nagas, and the other chose to have just two naga 32
offsprings who would be more powerful than their cousins. The incubating eggs were guarded and after 500 years, Vasuki’s thousand eggs hatched as powerful, shape-shifting nagas. The first naga born became renowned for supporting Vishnu, and the second was instrumental in an important project to churn Amitra (the elixir of immortality) from the milk ocean. The second sister’s two eggs took longer to mature. Impatiently, Vinata broke one open to find that the top of the embryo was fully developed but the lower half was still forming. Her son Aruna was stunted and never as bright as the noon sun he was promised to be. The second egg reached maturity after 1,000 years and the Garuda, a giant half-eagle, half-man burst forth as a solar inferno.
The Naga in Thai Buddhism As Buddhism spread throughout Thailand, the Buddha commanded ultimate respect and, like other Hindu deities, the Naga shape-shifted relatively peacefully to a supportive role. Here the naga can be seen as a protector, serving Lord Buddha himself, lifting him from the floods and shielding him from the rains during a long meditation. The Naga also commonly represents the transition or bridge from heaven to earth, which is why it is often depicted on staircases. The Naga and the Garuda may also appear simultaneously with the snake’s tails in the talons of the bird. You’ll see the Naga’s head at the bottom roofline on structures within royal Thai temples, its scales climbing up the edge line to the top where they meet the “chofa” which symbolizes Garuda. In fact, some say those scales are the feathers of the Garuda— and perhaps they are! Snakes and serpents are not usually considered “appealing” creatures, but understanding their significance and knowing their symbolism may help us appreciate them in Thai art and culture. For a detailed history on the origin of the Naga in Thailand, please see the article by Bronwyn Middendorp published in the National Museum Volunteers Bangkok, Issue 18 of Sala Magazine, AprilMay 2019. Kelly Kabat
National Museum Volunteers Bangkok www.mynmv.com
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May 2020
Culture Corner
May 2020
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MANSIONS
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Eco-News
Eco-News - 50th Anniverary of Earth Day The Martian Factor: Earth Day, COVID-19 and Beyond development of better environmental, health and safety practices in various industries. Average annual temperatures in the world’s high mountain ranges are significantly up, the US National Park Service reports a 3.4F/1.9C annual average rise over the last century in the Rockies. This means water supply for irrigation, domestic use, and industry will become much more unpredictable. The Himalayas are sometimes referred to as the Third Pole, as they contain the planet’s third largest reserve of freshwater. But this water is running off at a faster rate than ever before. A major reduction or change in flow could create millions of climate refugees. Insects are moving into new zones and carrying with them diseases (e.g., zika, dengue) which historically certain regions were less exposed to. Whether it is wildlife consumption or modern industrial poultry farming - virus outbreaks are common and susceptible to interspecies jumps. COVID-19 is not the first pandemic and will not be the last. Scientists estimate there are over 400 strains of coronaviruses in bats alone in Asia.
Time.com
Last month’s Thani Talk covered resource footprint at the individual and household level. If it is you who makes decisions for your own household consumption, who is making those decisions for the global household that is our planet? April 22, 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and had a Climate Change focus. Earth Day’s origin is linked directly to a 1969 UNESCO conference at which a US peace activist proposed a day honoring the Earth. For decades preceding 1970, there was rapid industrialization across the world that brought many benefits , e.g., the Green Revolution, but also inappropriate disposal of toxic chemicals, accidents and spills. What followed in the 1970s across many parts of the world was political protest, such as Chipko, a forest conservation movement in India, and resulting policy change. This led to the establishment of environmental ministries, and the subsequent enactment of new laws resulting in the improvement of waste management, production efficiency, safety, and land management. Earth D a y, now recognized by the United Chipko Movement, Nations and more than 190 1970s, Inda governments, directly and indirectly contributed to the establishment of numerous international agreements, protocols and objectives linked to sustainability (from biosafety to energy). The private sector also led in
Social distancing while waiting in line. So we must adapt, change our household consumption. We may not be able to stop the Third Pole melting or insects moving north, but we can certainly change our food industry and reduce our consumption of everything. A hardcore biologist might say, well it is simply survival of the fittest and ‘x’ percent of humans will simply die. But it is far more than the weakest that will be impacted in the face of a refugee or humanitarian crisis. COVID-19 is threatening to bankrupt airlines and the tourism industry. What will it take for hotels to rebound? Many will likely need to improve their hygiene systems, and they will need to convincingly communicate this. Crises also causes countries to hoard resources and
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Eco-News
The World on Pause: (Top) Grounded airplane fleets, Hong Kong, 2020. (Middle) With city streets of Llandudno, Wales, deserted during a lockdown, Great Orme Kashmiri goats venture into town to explore. (Bottom) Civet on urban patrol, Kerala Lockdown, India 2020. commodities. The poorest countries who are most dependent on the import of commodities like rice (whose price has jumped 10% in the last month) will become more vulnerable to disease, and as a result put everyone at greater risk. Lockdown has also shown how quickly wildlife moves into urban space when all is quiet and CO2 levels drop, so maybe there is hope the planet can rebound and we can clean up and change our footprint. Like the protagonist Dr. Mark Watney, an astronaut in Andy Weir’s novel “The Martian”, we will need to reuse our waste in order to more sustainably and more simply feed ourselves, in order to leave our current footprint behind. But we have to give ourselves the chance. Global institutions and partnerships have been working for decades trying to improve our practice, but as long as countries/regions pursue individual options, the progress will be slow and haphazard. Hopefully the Earth gives us time to figure it out. Lakhdeep S. Babra May 2020
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Community News
Mission Outreach Delivering Free Food & Supplies to Local Workers during COVID-19
Thank you to everyone that helped donate towards the Mission Outreach project! Using money donated from individuals in our community, volunteers of Mission Outreach distributed 200 bags to Nichada gardeners, guards, ISB security staff, and motorcycle taxi drivers right outside the main gate on April 26th. The food distribution project by Mission Outreach of Chaengwattana Community Church started as a discussion I had with Stacey Smith. We were concerned about the financial impact of the COVID lockdown on gardeners and on businesses having to close doors. We heard there were pay cuts and decreased hours, so we decided to step up and show that people in the community care. My helper showed me texts from her friends who lost jobs and had no food. One asked her for 300 baht to feed her family of five. Between my talks with Stacey and my helper, this project came to life. It’s part of the core of what the church’s Mission Outreach is all about. We reached out to the community, and within one week, we raised 62,000 baht! During the Mission Outreach distribution, we adhered to social distancing rules and limited the number of volunteers due to restrictions, but it all got done. On Sunday April 26th, several golf carts arrived at the church. Volunteers followed proper social 42
distancing rules and wore face masks. The guards, gardeners, and ESL students in the church’s English language program were each blessed with a bag filled with food, snacks, hygiene items, and face masks. They were also given a large bag of rice, and gardeners were given a small monetary token of appreciation. To break it down—our community donations made it possible to provide: *200 face masks *200 5kg bags of rice *400 vitamin C packs *400 packs of ramen *200 bottles of water *400 boxes of milk *200 cans of tuna *400 cans of sardines *200 bags of chips and cookies *200 of a mix of hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, and soap **PLUS! We were able to give 100 baht cash to every gardener. For future opportunities to serve, we are receiving inquiries on how to be involved or participate again. We are discussing potential dates and will make an announcement when finalized. Depending on how much longer Thailand is impacted by COVID, we may do another round in early summer (June or July TBD). So if anyone wishes to participate, donate goods, cash, resources or volunteer, please be on the lookout for Facebook posts in the future! In summary, the people we served were so very grateful for the gift because of you all. It helped brighten their spirits and provided food for their families. Thank you all again!!!
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Livonia Winkles May 2020
Community News
May 2020
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Community News
Chronology of Pandemics and COVID-19 May 3
Alcohol ban lifted in some provinces, including Nonthaburi. Total cases in Thailand is 2,969 cases, with 54 deaths. New cases in Thailand: 3.
May 3
244,801 deaths out of 3,485,142 confirmed cases worldwide, in 212 countries and territories. Deaths nearly quintupled, and cases tripled from one month ago.
Apr. 27
Emergency Decree extended until May 31. First day Thailand reported single digit of new cases: 9
Apr. 4
Incoming international flights banned
Apr. 3
Nationwide curfew (10pm-4am) begins
Mar. 31
Curfew (11pm-5am) in Nonthaburi province announced by governor
Mar. 31
Nonthaburi governor orders schools to remain closed until April 30
Mar. 24
Emergency Decree announced by Thai government (effective March 31-April 30)
Mar. 21
Restaurants in Nonthaburi ordered closed. Take-out orders allowed.
Mar. 18
Ministry of Public Health orders fitness gyms, swimming pools, sports fields closed
Mar. 12
First member of ISB community (a grandparent) tested positive for COVID-19
Mar. 12
World Health Organizaiton declares COVID-19 a pandemic
2020 2019 COVID-19 2012 MERS 2009 Swine Flu 2003 SARS 1968 Hong Kong Flu 1918 Spanish Flu
World Health Organization estimates 250,000 to 500,000 people die of seasonal flu annually (less than 1% of cases) Originally named novel coronavirus. Started in Wuhan, China. Death toll: 53,241 as of April 3 (5.02% % of cases) Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. First reported in Saudi Arabia. Death toll: 866 (34.40 % of cases) H1N1 Virus. First detected in USA. Death toll: 18,000 ( 1.10 % of cases) Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Death toll: 774 (9.50 % of cases) H2N3 Virus Death toll: ~1 million ( ~0.10 % of cases) H1N1 Virus. Origin disputed. Death toll: 17–50 million (>2.50 % of cases)
Sources: World Health Organization, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Thailand’s Office of International Cooperation Department of Disease Control, New York Times, Bangkok Post, Al Jazeera.com, Worldometers, Wikipedia (Research by Shea Barnett, Liz Lu and Ploy Leetavorn) 44
Community News
Same Storm, Different Boats
Thai Neighbors Struggling to Make Ends Meet A recent Facebook post reminded people that while many of us are sheltering in comfort during the pandemic storm, millions across the world face dire futures in leaky canoes. Sadly, here in Thailand there has been more than one suicide due to financial stress caused by COVID-19. In our own neighborhood, I was struck by the plight of Thai neighbors who lost jobs due to COVID-19 and are struggling to put food on the table. One desparate lady had to appeal to her friend for a tiny loan of 300 baht. Last week I visited a young couple on Samakkee Soi 19, who reached out for aid on their neighbors’ behalf. Nantaya “Deer” Ngamsom, 39, works as a maid in Nichada, and her husband Nakarin “Oh” Ngamsom, 38, helps a Nichada home owner maintain their two rental properties. “We feel lucky we still have jobs,” said Deer. But up and down their soi, neighbors are suffering, they said. Khun Loh, a seamstress, lost her contract homesewing job when shopping malls closed. She had been sewing garments sold in the malls. Khun Oon, a part-time gardner, lost her income too. She is the main bread winner, and her husband Khun Jaan needs medical care. At one point when Oon and Jaan ran out of rice, Deer and Oh shared their food with the older couple. Another neighbor, the woman who had texted Deer with a request for a 300 baht loan, is now back in her native Sisaket village. She was unable to continue paying rent. All of their neighbors have applied for the government’s 5,000 baht subsidy, said Deer. None have been approved or received any money. Some neighbors who had been furloughed, and even some who are on paid leave,
Neighbors with food from the Mission Outreach project. (Right) Khun Oh & Deer (Bottom right) Their neighbor Khun Jaan. To help, contact Livionia of Mission Outreach at:Livoniawinkles06az@gmail. com
opted to return upcountry to save on rent, or to see family. Deer and Oh remember hard times, such as political street protests and the 2011 great flood, but they said that nothing compares to the hardships, financial and emotional, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Liz Lu
May 3, 2020
Bangkok Post
PUI (Patient Under Investigation)
May 2020
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Delivery Services
Food Delivery: Restaurants Support Your Neighborhood Businesses Restaurant and other hourly workers, as well as their employers, are the hardest hit by the March 21st government order to close dine-in service at restaurants. Luckily, take-away orders are still allowed. So, please support our neighborhood restaurants to help them stay in business. This is just a partial list of local eating establishments. Neighborhood Restaurants: Le Bouchon (02-038-3020) HealthyLicious (093-018-9565) Cafe Kabul (02-960-3368) Triple G (098-884-2242) Beergasm (095-859-3482) Baan Kimchi (02-952-0031) Sawasdee Cafe de Pakkret (02 108 2685) Cherry Sweet Kitchen (081-446-2646) Que Pasa (02-960-3821)
Sweet Poppy Meals, bakery & groceries 02-005-5206
Milkman Milk, eggs & more. 081-774-4989 46
Sweet Poppy (02-005-5206) Premium Pizza (02 105 4555) New York Diner (081-624-2099) Slider Shack (086-773-4140) Vapor (02-832-0055) Tony’s Kitchen (088-564-6955) Sudhathai (02-583-2694) Nearby and Beyond: Salad Factory (02-001-5659) Shoshana (02 282 9948) Tawandang (960-5511-2) Greek Taste (0890486051) (Theo) Fast Food: Burger King (1112) KFC & Pizza Hut (1150) McDonald’s (1711) Subway (02-960-3232)
Beergasm Ribs, pasta, beer 095-859-3482
Tawandang Thai & International Food (960-5511-2)
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Baan Kimchi Korean cuisine 02-952-0031
Greek Taste Greek cuisine 0890486051 (Theo)
Slider Shack Burgers & Fries 086-773-4140 May 2020
Delivery Services
Adjusting to Deliveries and Take-Outs: Que Pasa Que Pasa is still here to serve the community and keep or staff busy, paid, and off the streets. We hope you and your families are safe and hungry for Que Pasa’s many menu options. We are, at this point, providing a full menu (minus alcohol) for takeaway and delivery. Order table is outside. Takeaway gives you a chance to get out and stretch your legs. Delivery gives you a fresh meal without having to cook and minimal clean up. You can view our menu at www.quepasa.restaurant and can order by phone at 02-960-3821 or 081-8103483. We are, at times, busy and you may need to call more than once. We are doing many deliveries but generally deliveries take about 30 minutes. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates at @Que Pasa Mexican Restaurant. We may be able to open for outside seating soon. So, come on out for great food and the always refreshing iced lemon drinks. Thank you for your support. Alex Janney
Maximizing Safety and Hygiene: HealthyLicious365 Ever since we opened HealthyLicious365 outside Nichada's main gate last September, we've been serving healthy organic meals and smoothies to customers. Our little shop is a dream project for us, and we were doing fairly well. Then COVID-19 came out and affected customer confidence, caused supply shortages, necessitated price hikes and required additional measures for food hygiene. Our major concern is the customer’s health and confidence. Hygiene is a very sensitive issue. Although it has been our utmost priority since day one, COVID-19 will just further improve our standards. We emphasized cleanliness in depth to our staff. On top of normal cleaning routines, gloves, hair caps and masks are changed frequently, we also have alcohol gel on site, which we often use, delivery guys included. We use organic pasteurizer spray for kitchen equipment and utensil cleaning. So far, we're staying afloat and able to maintain our regular hours (9:30am to 8:00pm) because of our great team. They play a big part in helping us deliver our best service. We ensure they're aware of the procedures for their own good and that they are happily working together. We believe that “tough times don’t last but tough May 2020
teams do”. This will pass! HealthyLicious365 will maintain our standards, and we're looking forward to contributing more for a healthier and happier community. Contact: SMS or Call, 093-018-9565
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Priss Thanomphetsuk and Mod Mungpol 47
Online Learning
Local Classes Go Online
(Above) The Whitman Tellers offer online YouTube videos “Together Tales – Stories and Songs to Cheer Us Along!” The program is provided by kindergarten teacher, Jen Whitman, and her husband librarian, Nat Whitman. For more information, check out: www. whitmantellers.com
(Above) Pre-COVID-19, Kelly Poret of Live Yoga held charity yoga classes at space donated by Das PowerHaus. She now offers charity yoga via Zoom. At a recent online class, current and former Nichada residents from all over the world joined. Contact: Line ID: yogaporet
Weekly Story Time program goes online. Facebook: bumblebeefreelibrary Online Kundalini yoga classes by Zoom
Yoga With Napisa offers online yoga classes for teens and adults. During the lockdown, Napisa donated class proceeds to support the COVID fight and BBFL. Facebook: yogawithnapisa 48
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Baan Shakti Kerstin Wild 086-372-9750 Kerstin@yoga-ofawareness.com (Details on p. 41)
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Deliveries & Other Local Services
Delivery Restaurant
Phone
Baan Kimchi Korean BBQ/Thai Cuisine
02-952-0031
Beergasm
095-859-3482
Burger King/Pizza Company
1112
Cafe Kabul (Indian & Afgan)
02-960-3368
Cherry’s Bakery
081-446-2646
HealthyLicious365
093-018-9565
KFC & Pizza Hut
Local Business
Phone
Bamboo Spa
02-583-9871
Bewitch Salon
087-099-4569
1150
Blue Sky Cafe
081-811-8455
Le Bouchon Food Delivery
02-038-3020
Clark Hatch Fitness Center
02-960-4326/27
McDonald’s
1711
Foot Heaven
061-541-6353
Mr. Enzo’s
02-960-0412
4 Legs Pet Grooming
084-424-6545
Hair by Jib
085-115-3093
New York Diner
081-624-2099
Happy Teeth Dental Clinic
02-960-3988
Not Just Meat
092-463-3505
Great Massage
02-960-3691
Premium Craft Pizza
02-105-4555
ISB
02-963-5800
Que Pasa
02-960-3821
Nichada Customer Relations
02-960-4300
Salad Factory
02-001-5659
OC Organic
096-424-4536
Pandit Carpets
081-828-2562
Subway
02-960-3232
Panipa
02-960-3934
Sudhathai
02-583-2694
Rex Pharmaplus
081-834-1306
Slider Shack
086-773-4140
Rose Marie Academy
02-960-3663
Sweet Poppy
02-005-5206
Shawn Carpets
090-564-8927
Starbucks
02-967-9686
Tony’s
088-564-6955
Villa Market
02-960-3585
Vapor Restaurant
02-832-0055
Wash-N-Dry
085-945-4132
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