Given that the great bulk of national resources is pulled into the capital city, farmers have reason to feel irked by Bangkokians. Just consider the mass-transit mega-projects. The Bt500 billion earmarked for the investment in the course of five years means the neglect of so many problems in upcountry provinces.

The imbalance is glaring.

And now rural folks have another reason to beat up on Bangkok - the floods that are wreaking havoc across a wide swathe of the North.

There is street talk that links the floods with Bangkok's plan to renovate the Giant Swing. Huge new teak trunks are needed to replace the old rotten ones. So on May 20, teak trees as old as 100 years were cut down in the northern province of Phrae.

Three days later, flash-floods engulfed nearby Uttaradit, a rare occurrence in the past. More than 100 are feared dead. Did this disaster have anything to do with the toppling of the teak trees?

It's just too difficult to say.

Cup condos

A major sponsor of the 2006 World Cup telecast from Germany to the homes of Thai people is TCC CapitaLand, a luxury residential developer.

This sponsorship is surprising, given that developers mostly refrain from sponsoring sports events as they are considered something quite different from the property business.

But to Soamnaphat Traisorat, deputy CEO, it is a way to boost the brand image of TCC. He also insisted that there was no direct order from his higher-ups for the sponsorship, though this has been rumoured since the Sirivadhanabhakdi family has stakes in both TCC and DhosPaak Communications Agency which won the telecast rights.

Some reporters were convinced, but some were not.

Under the Bt17-million sponsorship package signed between TCC and DhosPaak Communications Agency, the developer is handing out two World Cup tickets to each buyer who buys a unit at its Empire Place on Sathorn Road. But game ticket recipients will have to spring for air fare and hotels. The firm's customers are affluent enough to afford the additional costs, given that each unit is priced Bt10 million and up.

Forget about the hotel rooms and air tickets, some reporters were still perplexed about how soccer tickets will boost the company's brand image.

Maybe because tickets will make it easier for TCC clients when they apply for tourist visas from the Germany Embassy.

achara_d@nationgroup.com