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Published on November 13, 2007

He intentionally wore blue jeans and a polo shirt to create a friendly atmosphere with the schoolchildren.

Supachai went with a mission. True Visions was handing out television satellite dishes to upcountry schools to promote "off-curriculum learning". The students waited enthusiastically to see the satellite dishes, which will also feature children's-entertainment programmes.

During a visit to the first school in Ratchaburi, Supachai sat down with students in a classroom, trying to make conversation. But the students were initially shy, barely speaking out.

So Supachai tried the break the ice in True Visions style. He thought of a cartoon character currently airing on a True Visions channel.

"Do you know Barney?" he asked the young students.

But they seemed perplexed by the name. Obviously, not many of their households were hooked up to True Visions cable television.

They scratched their heads before it was revealed that Barney was a purple dinosaur.

So when Supachai went to the next school, he started the conversation with an easier question.

"Hi, students! Do you know Mickey Mouse?"

Half of the class instantly shot their hands up.

Our advice: next time Supachai had better try breaking the ice by asking Thai youngsters whether they are aware of local cartoon characters like naughty boy Pang Pond.

Fleeing from stress

Some of our readers have inquired about the whereabouts of former iTV executive chairman Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, who went on a hiatus after iTV became TITV. We won't recap now what happened to the television network formerly owned by the Shin Corp.

But here's the answer to what what's happened to Niwattumrong: he has been ordained a monk, to calm his mind. He was obviously under great stress while the controversial deal was going on, so he chose to be ordained in India.

Our sources, however, remain tight-lipped on the exact whereabouts of Niwattumrong in India. But we've received a tip that he's now in the city where the Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment.

His friends should not think to interrupt his seclusion, as our sources reveal he will come back to Thailand some time this month. But they add that it's too soon to say whether Niwattumrong has decided to return to the secular world, as he plans a make a pilgrimage to a temple in Lamphun.

usanee@nationgroup.com

The Nation