thanks everyone!
its your interest in such things that encourage us on

and special thanks to Richard...our Playmopedia

exellent references again and yes, Dingdai....wonder what is the chinese translation...usually means something...not just a name ('dai' could mean 'wear' but depending on actual word because many different meanings & words but similar sounds...tough language to learn...i am trying to but in a lazy slow way)
thanks Michaal...i think i cant asnwer the 2008 asian theme question more 'politically-correctly' than you just did...you are the smooth one

as for the 'tail' for the officials...the tail is actually a peacock feather while the others are a kind of black brush...
as for the 'button' on the dingdai...the official's hat uses a kind of pearl (i'm sure not real pearls..not that large or their heads will be the first to be cut off

)