Miracle Bananas

The following article was received by email the other day. While reading it, I thought back to my own health nearly two years ago before coming to southeast Asia. I indeed suffered from nearly every single ailment on the list (minus the PMS and morning sickness of course). Bananas are now a regular part of my diet, and my health is dramatically improved. I eat alot of them because they are dirt cheap here, and literally grow on trees. I made them a large part of my diet because they are so inexpensive. Although I am somewhat skeptical that they single handedly fixed everything that was wrong with me, I have no doubt they played a role in the greatly improved state of my health today.

After reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at a banana in the same way again!

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:
Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power:
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so, if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control:
Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes:
According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit !!!

Rainy Day in Chang Puak

Day off today finally, and of course it´s raining cats and dogs. Saturday is usually laundry day, and this one is no exception. Rain or shine, it was time to bag up the clothes and find a laundromat here in my new neighborhood. Luckily, I found one straight away. No matter where you go in ths city, you can always find fresh food, a corner market, a coin op laundromat, and a barber without walking more than five minutes in any direction.

This entire area here is actually proving to be quite interesting. I´m just a stones throw away from Wat Chedi Lok Malee, and can see the spire out my window through the trees. It was built back in 1527, and is actually a pretty interesting historical spot. I did manage to snap of few photos from my window today even though the weather was pretty bleak.

Some interesting things have happened in the legal department this week. Nothing to do with my specific case this time, but involving those around me. One thing I have found in this country, is that nothing is ever set in stone. Everything remains very “fluid”. I will try to post an encrypted status update before the weekend is over.

For now, enjoy the pics from a rainy day here in Chang Puak Discrict. CLICK HERE for the photos.

Moving along

Once again, I am on the move. This time it´s just a temporary shift further into the northern part of the city. In about a week, I´ll be headed even further north to what should be my semi permanent place for at least another few weeks. Things are still up in the air as far as my future here, so putting down any kind of roots in one place is a bit tricky. It´s a dangerous feeling when I start to get comfortable. That´s how I know things are about to get turned upside down again. I just hope for the best and plan for the worst.

I still have some limited internet access, but it´s not great by any means. There´s only one thing worse than not having an internet connection. That is an internet connection that is so slow or unreliable it becomes more frustrating to use than anything else. For the time being, I am back to operating out of apps and docs through a portable flash drive that I plug into a PC with USB and a connection when find one. Handy little item I picked up a few years ago, and managed not to lose so far.

As for the not so distant future, things are still up in the air. I have been trying to learn more about the legal process here and keep myself out of too much additional trouble. I have also had another job offer, but it would require a less than legal jump to yet another country. I´m not particularly a big fan of that idea, but I´ll do what I have to in order to survive if it comes right down to it. On one hand I risk rotting away in a third world prison because I can´t get legal representation. On the other I have another dirty job in another backward place. I´m not really liking either choice at this point. I´ve worked hard to get my head above water here, and the idea of starting all over again pains me to no end.

That´s all for now. I´ll post again when the connection is good enough.

Take care everyone, and be good to each other.

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Thailand´s Got Talent

For once, I have something on a little lighter note. Thailand has it´s own versions of western television talent shows. The most popular lately is "Thailand´s got Talent" patterned after the widely popular British and American shows. As with most of these shows, there always seems to be one "shocker" performance in the season. This year is no exception. The singer is Nuntrita Khampriranon aka "Bell". She is quite talented and has a big surprise for the judges. At 1:05 things get interesting, but you need to see the first minute to fully understand the rest. I found a version with english subtitles and posted it below. The translation isn´t perfect, but you should get the idea.

Now, wasn´t that fun? Had me fooled. What about you?

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The Day after: Part 2

As promised, it´s time for part two. Now, down to business. My internet time here is about to become somewhat limited again. I´ve been very lucky these last few months to have good access while things have been difficult in every other area. An hour of internet access at an internet or gaming shop can cost as much as a decent meal here, so I will need to start making very selective use of my time online. I have done my best to write constantly lately and store up as much information as possible digitally here on the blog. If the worst happens, then this information will continue to post on a predetermined schedule even if I am unable to access my blog or email. Most details will be coming up on this in the very near future.

First it is on to the details that I can make public.

When I made bail, it was thanks to a collection of very good friends here in Thailand. It is thanks to them that I am able to write this very post. This leaves me and them in a very precarious position. They posted 50,000 in local currency to get me out while I await a final court decision. Now that things are taking so long, it has put them into a situation of hardship as well. The bail bond money they posted was intended for children´s school tuition. Having it tied up in the courts indefinitely has made things difficult for them. At some point I may need to voluntarily remand myself back to the courts so they can get their money back and keep the kids in school.

Now for the stuff that I have to keep locked down.

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The Day After - Part One

Still no sleep last night as usual. Today I feel absolutely drained. I just keep muddling through. Not much choice. Yesterday´s court dealings and events left me with a heavy heart and a general feeling of despair. The end result yesterday was favorable, but just an overall reminder of how bad things will get. I´ve had it pretty rough at times here in Thailand over the past couple of years. Now, I find myself looking back on some of those days wishing I could go back even though they seemed pretty bad at the time.

I´ve spent alot of time where there were only two objectives to get me through a 24 hour period.

1. How I was going to eat at least once for the day.
2. Where was I going to be able to sleep for the night.

These have always been the two essential goals. I´ve learned a great deal from Thai people from all walks of life. I must say that I learned more from the most desperate and downtrodden than those who who were well off. Birds of a feather I guess. Throughout it all, I managed to find a way and even enjoyed a few periods of relative stability. The only constant that I have found here is change. I must continuously adapt to my circumstances.

More changes are on the way for me here. Some of these, I have known about for a while. Some have caught me a little unaware. It´s always back to priority number one and two from above. As long as I can keep those two things covered, I will live another day. Things always tend to go astray when I plan things too much.

"Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans." - John Lennon

I will have some more sensitive updates in part two of this post. I have a meeting with some "friends" later this evening who may be able to offer me some advice and assistance. Just like anywhere else in the world, it comes down to the struggles between the "haves" and the "have nots". Those of us in the latter category must be prepared to do just about anything when it comes down to self preservation.

Take care of yourselves out there

Court Proceedings Today

Last night I managed to fall asleep by midnight and woke up promptly at 2:00 AM in a cold sweat. That was the extent of my night´s sleep as usual these days. This morning just before 9:00 AM, I made the dreaded walk up the Chaing Mai police station steps again. (photo left) My future, as always of late, was uncertain. I was unsure if this was going to be an official court appearance, just another procedural formality, or a trip to the “monkey house”.

Turns out it was a procedural visit. My case has officially been handed over to the court system, and the police needed to release my bail so that I can be bailed out again under the court system and not the police. A rather ridiculous procedure, but it took most of the day.

First, it was the paperwork shuffle at the police station. A meeting with the “good lieutenant” was my first stop. Then it was to the bail office to authorize the release of my bail. Next it was upstairs and the accountant to get the actual bail check. This process went around in a circle for the next hour or so. Back and forth, up and down the stairs until everybody had all the forms filled, stamped, signed, and what not.

The next part was going to be a little more tricky. Everything (including myself) was to be transferred to the courthouse near the town of Mae Rim. I was ushered out the side door and shown to my ride. A beat up diesel pick up truck with a steel cage on the back. It was already crammed pretty full with Burmese refugees. Thankfully, the court officer (aka “guy in white T-shirt”) was easily convinced to allow me to follow the truck on motorcycle with a friend. Once he saw that I had already been out on bail for 2 months, he allowed it. However, he did carry the bail check with him as assurance.

After arriving at the Mae Rim courthouse, the paper shuffle started again. This time it went much quicker. The courts accepted the paperwork, and issued me a little blue card with my next date of appearance. I was all the way back out into the parking lot when “white T-shirt guy” came running after me. I thought to myself “UH-OH, that was just too easy.” Seems that the police station didn´t address the check properly, and it needed to be changed. Surprisingly enough, he handed me the check and asked me to take it back to Chiang Mai and get it fixed. Oh, believe me, my imagination ran wild but I did the right thing and made the trip to the city and back with the check.

By the end of the day, the court “officially” accepted the bail money, and I was on my way back to Chiang Mai. Today was certainly a struggle with procedural and language issues. I made it through, but this is still only the tip of the iceberg. I have come to realize that I am horribly inadequate and ill prepared. People keep asking me who my attorney is. When I tell them I don´t have one, the response is always the same. “Are you crazy???!!!”. No, not crazy, just out of options. I can either pay an attorney now or pay my fines later. Neither of which I have enough savings for yet and I will still be looking at considerable prison time either way.

I have a much better idea now of how this will play out. Most of this is however very sensitive information regarding myself and those around me. I will be releasing it in several password encrypted posts over the next few days. Many things have come to light today, and I´m feeling pretty down at the moment. Maybe an hour or two of sleep tonight will do me some good.

Status Update

Bottom line. I am still out on my own recognizance after a day of juggling government offices and officials. Full report coming within the next 6 hours or so. Thai government office computers have been hitting my website here pretty hard again over the last two days, so I am implementing further IP restrictions and lockdown protocols. Yes, I see you out there, and can usually trace you down within about a city block or so. Sorry guys. It's not that I don't like you, but we are just not on the same team at the moment.

URGENT: New Court Appearance Date

I knew it was coming as mentioned in my last post, and I´m not surprised. I was however a little shocked by the lack of advance notice. The new appearance date is tomorrow morning, Wednesday the 15th 9:00am local time. I have adjusted the timer on the left accordingly. I was given approximately 15 hours notice to make transportation and other arrangements. I do have some additional details, and I will be adding them in an encrypted section below this one in the next hour or two. Just keep checking back and it will be available soon. Wish me luck.

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Deadlines Looming

This weekend I had the chance to get out of the city and into the mountains again for a day. It was a great day out with some dear friends. Details of the excursion and the reason for going can be found in the encrypted passkey portion below. The photo on the left was the sight as we left the city and headed into the mountains. Yup, that´s water (rain) in the air and lots of it. Keep in mind we are all traveling by motorcycle on a mountain road with some pretty serious twists and turns. Bottom line is that we got wet on the way, but it was well worth it. I should have some more pics up on facebook in the next day or so.

Now, on to the deadlines. The courts have finally started issuing new appearance dates for the musicians involved in the arrests of over two months ago here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. All of us are concerned and unsure of what our futures hold. Myself included. Some here have more to lose than others in the way of family, businesses and investments. I really feel for these guys, and we are all hoping for the best.

The rest of this post will be encrypted for safety reasons.

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Legal Status Updates

Still nothing on an official level, but I do have some updates as they pertain to my case. I had the chance to go out to outside the city again and meet with some good friends who are in the same or similar situation as I am. So far now, two English language magazines have released stories on the issue and the Thai goverment is doing a huge backpedal. They are trying to do what they call ¨save face¨ in this country and make themselves look good after a botched operation. They have done their best to put forth well spoken officials and offer advice regarding work permit laws and such. That is what you see on the surface. I am here to give you the real story. The story that no one dares to talk about. The following updates do contain some sensitive information, and have been passkey encrypted below.

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CityLife Magazine Article

It´s been over two months now since my whole legal ordeal began here in Thailand, and now the second major English news article has hit the stands. The monthly magazine is called ¨CityLife¨ and is a major full color publication here in Thailand. It seems to have caused quite a stir and online message boards have been going crazy the last few days. I´m not sure if this will help or hurt my situation, but the increased awareness has been quite significant.

Chiang Mai's fledgling music scene has suffered a setback of late due to the crackdown on foreign musicians playing live music in the city. A number of arrests were made during the months of March and April at Guitarman and Northgate, nightspots that have gained cult status within the foreign community, among local Thais as well as tourists. The arrests, which the immigration police have said were an action against people working without the requisite work permits, has created confusion and a small void at a time when Chiang Mai was fast becoming a creative nexus for foreign musicians. Since the arrests, the expat community, musicians, bar owners, as well as music aficionados, have been voicing their opinions, though mostly in the shadows, debating the issue of whether the arrests were just and in accordance with the law, or whether it is yet another attempt to intimidate foreigners out of money and how much affect it will have on Chiang Mai as a whole. Questions have been raised as to what is exactly illegal concerning playing live music. One of the arrestees at Guitarman was in Thailand for just a short time when he was arrested just for jamming, although some of the musicians playing at various venues in Chiang Mai have admitted that they were paid for their services, thereby undoubtedly violating the law. An anonymous musician from a popular foreign band based in Chiang Mai told Citylife that his regular venue is now virtually deserted with no music being performed anymore, "Open mic nights are done, musicians in Chiang Mai are done", he said. He also explained that a large number of foreign musicians have cancelled their gigs out of fear of being arrested by immigration, and a growing number of foreign musicians who have settled or retired in Chiang Mai are leaving as they feel that the city no longer offers what was once a creative hub for performers. Chiang Mai is currently asking United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to grant the city 'Creative City Status', a city where cultural and creative activities are an integral part of the city's economic and social functioning. If Chiang Mai is to be internationally recognised as a creative city, would it not be in our interest to promote creativity through music, art, poetry...or even karaoke? On the other hand, the law of the land surely must also be upheld and enforced. The recent crackdowns are not only affecting foreign musicians in Chiang Mai, but also businesses and local tourism - though to what degree depends on your standpoint regarding this issue. Business owner Toni of Happy Pizza (Chiang Mai-Hod Road, Hang Dong) has been forced to put his pizza and pasta restaurant up for sale, "since the recent musicians arrests in Chiang Mai, I can no longer sing and play music in my own restaurant, this is the reason why I am selling," said Toni. Basically, the law states that without a valid work permit foreigners can not earn money for a living. And if musicians play regularly in a venue, it can be argued that they are increasing the sales for that business, even though they are not remunerated, therefore they should have a work permit. Tourists cannot reasonably be expected to understand that they may be caught up by the police should they stand up on stage to play a song. And in fact, there is nothing illegal about that act, since they tend to be one-off occurrences. Immigration police are trying to uphold the law whilst musicians, claiming to be unaware of immigration laws, may be risking their freedom and could end up in jail. While naivety can be claimed as a defence, it will not hold up in court. Ruchuchai Potha, Chiang Mai Employment Office, Department of Work Permits, explains that his department and the immigration police both have the power to arrest for on-the-spot employment breaches. The two departments also employ investigative officers who specifically focus on larger case infractions. When a complaint regarding illegal work activity is lodged to the immigration police it is their duty to investigate, if they fail to follow through it becomes a dereliction of duty. In the case of the Guitarman arrests, an official complaint was made by someone and immigration followed through after investigations. Ruchuchai said there were similar circumstances surrounding the Northgate arrests, although unfortunately an innocent backpacker was swept up in the net without doing anything wrong. While he may have had to go through the legal process following, no charges were laid nor were court appearances required. So when is 'work' officially considered as employment? Ruchuchai answered, "If you work at home it's none of my business, gardening, sweeping, painting, it's all fine. It's when you perform activities which help someone (or yourself) earn an income, that is not OK." If you were to make furniture at home and gave a set to a restaurant owner friend, that wouldn't be a problem," when asked if one were to make 10 sets for a restaurant, Ruchuchai responded with an ambivalent, "ah..." which I can only assume that means 'not OK'. The second an individual or group begins to promote their work through portals such as websites, posters, etc. regardless of whether they are for profit or not, "things get wrong" says Ruchuchai. According to the Alien Working Act, B.E. 2551 (2008), any non-Thai nationality may not work inside Thailand for wages or benefit without expressed official permission, i.e. a valid work permit. And while the Labour Department can issue work permits quite easily and with few restrictions, within permitted fields of work, the problem is often the monetary restrictions required by the Immigration Department in issuing visas (a westerner has to earn - and pay taxes and social security on - over 50,000 baht per month to receive a visa). Though musicians 'jamming' for no wages, as one Chiang Mai lawyer put it, is a different matter and a complicated issue. Many foreign musicians may in fact not be accepting payment and are just 'jamming' for enjoyment and therefore not breaking any immigration laws. However, this can be difficult for immigration police to discern who is 'legally' playing, and who is not. Ruchuachai says, "There's a process in place, if you're following it and can prove it, you're innocent. No problem, jamming is OK for sure. No judge is going to punish you for it, but you may have to go through the legal process nonetheless." Laws like the Alien Working Act, B.E. 2521 (1978), a legislation which includes criteria designed to protect the Thailand domestic labour department, is an example of what kind of factors complicate the issue. Under this legislation, the Department of Employment will consider whether the 'work' could be undertaken by a Thai, whether the foreigner is appropriately qualified and whether the job fits the needs of Thailand. After these factors are considered, the individual requires an organisation such as a company or charity to sponsor them. Any foreigner with intent to work, or 'jam', can apply for a 15 day temporary work permit through the Department of Work Permits in Chiang Mai. Ruchuachai says, "I'm a reasonable man, we can give permission, the law says if a foreigner is going to work for less than 15 days they can - just come and ask me." Although he makes it sound so easy, we do wonder how many people will take the risk of applying for such permits. Then there is the problem of confusion amongst the government agencies themselves. Ruchuachai claims that his staff are all quite sensible and are not out to get people for minor infractions, but says "that cannot be said about other departments who may have another agenda". He even goes so far as to mention the tourist police in Chiang Mai, who employ foreign 'volunteers' who are technically working without official work permits, "please tell them that that is illegal! They need to come and report to me. The same goes for many government agencies and not-for-profit organisations which employ foreign teachers, also for apparent 'volunteer' duties, again without permits." "We're all going to end up arresting each other soon. Authorities are not respecting our department or the law," he bemoans. "Basically, the law is the law but it's up to discretion. However, discretion is one thing, everyone has different standards", said Ruchuchai. "Some Thai authorities are too uptight. I don't want to insult them but... you know. I'm happy with my staff, they don't go overboard, they use common sense." It's easy enough to use the term 'common sense' but common sense tends to differ from person to person. When asked about Citylife's recent Unite for Japan concert, where numerous foreign musicians played to raise money for Japan, he horrified us with his answer, "Citylife could have been fined up to 100,000 baht per musician, next time make sure you ask my permission!" Where do we draw the line? Even Ruchuachai says "it's hard to answer". It's a catch 22. If all laws in Thailand were as firmly enforced as the current crackdown, people might possess a greater understanding of the law and the consequences, then the foreign music scene in Chiang Mai may not be hit as hard and fear around performing (legally) would minify. However, if that were the case 'jamming' goes out the window and is replaced by foreign musicians stuck in the waiting line at the Department of Work Permits hoping to be granted with the right to 'play legally' for a 15 day period...an artist's dream, huh? The law will never be respected if groups feel they are being targeted and other law-breakers are getting away with far greater crimes.

by Jane Witcombe

The full article can be seen on CityLife´s website at the link below.

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=3218

Inthakhin Festival at Wat Chedi Luang

It´s been a difficult couple of weeks, and finally it was time to get out and enjoy myself for once. The occasion was the annual Inthakhin Festival held at ¨Wat Chedi Luang¨ right here in Chiang Mai. Over on the left side of this blog I have used an image of the place as my profile picture for over a year now. At first sight, it´s something that looks right out of an Indiana Jones movie. Construction on the original temple structure itself was started in the late 1300´s and wasn´t finished until the mid 1400´s. In 1545 the building was devestated by an earthquake and has undergone many reconstructions and renovations since in an effort to keep it standing as the icon that it is. The most amazing thing about Wat Chedi is the location. It still stands right here in the city center where it has been a gathering point for centuries. It´s only about a 20 minute walk from where I live.

So, what does one do at a festival like this? Well, there are a whole host of merit making activities involving water pouring, flower placing and coin dropping. The end result is to bring good luck upon yourself, and most importantly a good rainy season to ensure a prosperous crop harvest. It´s also a huge social gathering with tons of great food and entertainment. As the festival goes on this week, thousands will visit and do exactly what I did as they have done for centuries. I won´t bore you with all the details. That´s what google is for if you really want to learn more. I did get some great photos and you can check them out on facebook using the public link below. Highlights include ancient temples, monks, dancing llamas, kung fu kids, and deep fried insects!!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.214863698546127.59839.100000674962400&l=43bdeadabd