What's up with the large crowd of Nakhon Ratchasima residents, along with Athens Olympic heroine Udomporn Polsak, often seen packing the hermitage of an anchorite in the province?

A reporter covering a sporting event in the area met Udomporn, better known as Nong Orn, by chance. He asked her about a rumour that she is among a crowd that often visits the recluse in search of winning lottery numbers.

"I'm not a gambler. Actually, I've never known this hermit before. Once, I had lunch in a restaurant in Chon Buri and I saw his picture hanging on the wall," she said.

"The restaurant owner told me about his fame in practising the Dharma. I was very appreciative of this, and that is why I became one of his disciples. I'm not a risk-taker, and I have never bought lottery tickets. I don't always have the kind of luck you need to win the lottery."

Tammy's mum is versatile

During last week's Bangkok Open, Tamarine Tanasugarn's mother Sunetra summoned all her culinary experience to make sure the media and tournament officials were pampered with palatable food. Despite her weak legs, Sunetra, who used to run a Thai restaurant in LA, hobbled all the way down to the official room and the press centre with containers of food just before lunchtime.

Looking for Cantonese, original Thai or Western styles? Sunetra's versatile. Just name your favourite menu item and she'll show up with it the next day.

Tennis star Tammy had to put her racquet aside at times to help her mum with the delivery. There was nothing behind this catering service; Sunetra just loves cooking, and providing food for hungry reporters makes her happy.

The price of smoking

Normally people are alert when they visit the Seven Wonders of the World, as it could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But Thai gymnastics star Teerat Phonpanich takes a different approach.

After finishing his work in the 11th Asian Games in Beijing, Teerat and his mates decided to see the Great Wall. The group took a stroll along the world's longest man-made structure for a while. Then they indulged in the spectacular scenery before lighting up some cigarettes.

They smoked cheerfully until an official came straight for them in an unpleasant mood. It took some time before Teerat and pals understood the Chinese man, who used gestures to communicate with them. They finally caught his drift when he pointed to a "no smoking" sign.

Teerat argued with the official and tried to explain that he had seen other tourists smoke and did not notice the warning, but his excuses were ignored. So the guys had to pay a fine of about Bt75 each.