Q and A
Welsh Male Choirs
Q.  We are planning a trip to Wales in May or June and would like to attend a concert of Welsh singing in a formal setting. Any suggestions? -- T. P. Thompson, Evans City, Pa.
A.  The rich tradition of choral singing in Wales, primarily by men, dates from the days when coal mines, ironworks and quarries were a central part of life. Today there are more than a hundred male choirs, most of them in the south; they often number 60 to 100.
The repertory of a cor meibion (male choir) is wide-ranging: Welsh music, operatic choruses and spirituals are typical fare, but selections from 'Cats' and 'Phantom of the Opera' or perhaps a commissioned work may also turn up on a program.
You might want to consider attending a rehearsal. As John H. Lewis, secretary of the Pendyrus Male Choir, which gives 20 to 25 concerts a year, said: 'You see the finished product in a concert. It's always intriguing to see what goes on behind the scenes.' Rehearsals are held once or twice a week and most groups welcome visitors.
Here is a sampling of choirs, with rehearsal schedules, contact numbers (for choir secretaries) and concerts in May and June. If you plan to go to a rehearsal, it's best to call ahead. Concerts start at 7 or 7:30 P.M. and admission may be about $2.50 to $5, based on 60 pence to $1. While the settings may not be as formal as you had in mind, the choirs are established musical groups.
Cor Meibion Caernarfon, Tuesday, 7:45 P.M., Conservative Club, High Street, Caernarfon. Contact: John Williams, (1286) 675183. Concert: May 16, Community Center, Llanidloes.
Cor Meibion Pontarddulais, Sunday and Wednesday at 7 P.M., Ysgol Gynradd Pontarddulais, Upper James Street, Pontarddulais. Winston Price (44-1792) 865070. Concerts: May 9, Goppa Chapel, Pontardawe; June 13, Arts Center, Pontardawe.
Cor Meibion Rhosllanerchrugog, Monday and Thursday at 7:15 P.M. in Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham.  Monday at Hafod Social Club, Broad  Street, and Thursday at Grango School, Rhoslanerchrugog. J. Miles (44-1978) 353587. Concerts: May 22, the Cathedral, Chester; May 23, Oswestry, site to be announced.
Morriston Orpheus Choir, Sacred Heart Center, Morriston, Swansea, Sunday and Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. Richard Royston Pugh (44-1639) 772370. Concerts: May 30, St. Chad's Church, Shrewsbury; June 13, the Abbey, Romsey; June 21, the Cathedral, Ennis, Ireland.
Treorchy Male Choir, Treorchy Primary School, Treorchy. Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 P.M., Treorchy Primary School. Islwyn Morgan (44-1443) 435852. Concert: May 30, Civic Hall, in Bedworth, near Coventry, England.
Pendyrus Male Choir, Sunday and Wednesday at 7 P.M., Tylorstown Primary School, Edmund Street, Tylorstown. John H. Lewis (44-1443) 730383. Concerts: May 9, University Hospital, Cardiff; May 23, St. Mary's Church, Bute Street, Cardiff; June 13, St. Theodore's Church, Port Talbot.
A brochure on choirs can be picked up at the British Tourist Authority, 551 Fifth Avenue (45th Street), in Manhattan, and at the Wales Tourist Board, 2 Fitzalan Road, Cardiff.
Cooking Classes in Thailand
Q.  I will be traveling to Thailand and would like to take a two-week course in Thai cooking that is taught in English. Can you help? -- Anita Moore Gander, Salt Lake City
A.  Most courses run from one to four days and are held at hotels in Bangkok. Minimum class size is 2 to 5 students, maximum is 10 to 15.
The Thai Cooking School at the Oriental Hotel gives three-hour classes from Monday through Thursday. Like other schools, it devotes each day to different subjects, in this case: Monday, snacks and salads; Tuesday, soups, desserts and carved fruit and vegetable garnishes; Wednesday, curries, condiments and side dishes; and Thursday, steam, stir-fry and grill. The cost, quoted in dollars, is $120 a person for a day's classes in English. A six-day program including lodging, six meals and airport transfers is $1,490 a person, based on double occupancy. Information: 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500, Thailand; (800) 526-6566 or, in Thailand, (66-2) 437-6211, fax (66-2) 439-7587.
The Thai House, an hour from downtown Bangkok by van and boat, offers courses for one, two and four days. The fee for a day is $64, based on 54.8 Thai baht to $1. Given the travel involved, students taking multiple-day courses may prefer to stay overnight. The charge, including lodging, is $163 for two days and $338 for four days. Information: 22 Pra-Athit Road, Bangkok 10200; (66-2) 280-0740, fax (66-2) 280-0741.
Other possibilities to consider are these:
The Landmark Hotel, 138 Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110, has a one-day class for $38 and a five-day course for $180. Information: (66-2) 254-0404, fax (66-2) 253-4250.
The Chiang Mai Cookery School, 1-3 Moon Muang Road, Chiang Mai, 50200,gives classes for one day ($15) as well as for two ($30) and three ($42). Information: (66-53) 206-388, fax (66-53) 206-387.
Panama Canal
Q.  We are contemplating a cruise through the Panama Canal in 1998.  What would be the best time weatherwise? -- Robert Nasella, Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
A.  The dry season, which starts in late December and usually runs until mid-May, is probably the best bet. But it may end early this year because of El Nino, Mike Davison, international desk coordinator for the National Weather Service, says. (Mr. Davison, who lived in Panama for two years, says he prefers the wet season because the flora is outstanding then.) Historically, the rainfall is 3.5 inches in April and it soars to 8 inches in May. The temperature range is from 70 to about 90 degrees from December to April and 70 to about 85 starting in May.
Tickets for a complete transit of the canal -- run once a month, on a Saturday -- are available from Panama Discovery Tours, Post Office Box 130, Clarita, Okla. 74535; (888) 716-1611, fax (580) 428-3499. Passengers go from the Pacific to the Atlantic on an Argo Tours vessel and return by bus the same day. Dates for the next few months: March 14, April 18 and May 16.
A four-day, three-night package is $488 a person including airport transfers, city and canal tour, but not air fare. Travelers planning a complete transit on a Saturday are urged to leave on a Thursday or before -- rather than risk missing the boat because a flight is delayed or canceled.
PAUL FREIREICH
Correction:  March 1, 1998, Sunday  An answer in the Q & A column on Feb. 15 about trips through the Panama Canal misstated the toll-free telephone number of Panama Discovery Tours. It is (888) 726-2621.