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Published: April 27th 2010
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Koh Larn sunset
Another photo from my daily walk to the beach A New Day Begins
This trip to Thailand has been filled with every emotion. I have been sad about the continuing political problems that continue to make the lives of many Thais so difficult in these tough economic times and ruin the image of Thailand abroad. I have also been very happy to spend some time with two Thai families during the Songkran festival with two days in Phetchabun and a few precious hours in Korat. The pure joy of the Thai people celebrating Songkran always makes me feel the same way whatever else is happening in the world.
The best part of any trip to Thailand for me besides visiting new places is meeting friends from previous trips and the chance to make some new friends. I have been so fortunate to meet some wonderful people on this visit and learn much about their experiences in Thailand. You would think that after eleven trips to Thailand that I would know everything about the culture and other aspects about this country but in reality I am only scratching the surface, there is so much to learn.
There are always a few tears and for whatever reason that is
Koh Larn Samai Beach
A nice day trip from Pattaya - thirty minutes on the ferry takes you to some beautiful beaches with nice clean water for swimming, good food and drink - we caught the 10am ferry, returning at 4.30pm part of the package of becoming a regular visitor to this land and experiencing a very different culture to my own. The tears don't last long as this is a very happy place for me. Overall my hope is that the Thai people can work together in unity for their wonderful country. That really makes me a dreamer but the voyage will continue whatever they decide to do.
This year I went to visit and stay with a friend and his family in Phetchabun Province in central Thailand. I had been in Pattaya and Jomtiem for the previous two weeks staying in another friend's home, much nicer than a hotel or condominium building. I can walk to the beach every day and we live very close to the Big Buddha which is also an excellent place to go walking and see some great views of Pattaya and Jomtiem.
Phetchabun was a very hot and dry place in April but as always when I visit rural Thailand the locals are very friendly and made me feel at home. There was no air conditioning in our three year old house in the 40 degree plus heat but I am used
to keeping cool with a fan after staying in a village in Korat so many times in the past three years.
The first day of Songkran was fairly quiet and we sat under a shelter, had drinks and food and there was some singing and dancing in the late afternoon. Day two was "family" day and then the fun really started with everyone playing water with water pistols or just throwing buckets of water over each other. There was an Isaan style concert between 11am and 2pm and soon everyone was dancing and having a great time in the mud under the shelter of a large tent. The elders of the village sat in a long line while everyone passed by and poured water over their backs, very carefully I might say and also put some lotion or powder on their faces with the same care. This is a very nice tradition and I was made a part of the event.
After 2pm we went around the corner to the temple and there was another stage setup for a late afternoon concert and another line up of elders and also the monks to be shown respect by their
families and friends. It had been a very hot day and lots of beer and whiskey consumed so everyone was either sitting around relaxing or dancing by the stage. The Thais love to grab their friends and roll them in the mud which is fun and can be a bit dangerous but things always end in a big smile and do not get out of control. I really slept well that night and the next day would also be tiring but very rewarding.
I had received a message from Korat, my friend there was in hospital. No one asked me to go to Korat but I new that I must make the four hour bus trip there to check that he was OK. There were no hire cars available when I arrived but fortunately I found a taxi to take me to the village driven by the wonderful Miow who would pick me up later that night with her brother and also drive me to Pattaya the next day.
When I arrived at the village a huge party was just about to start. Cousin Bell who is a really great guy was becoming a monk the next day
Pattaya Water Park Tower
We went for a buffet on the high floor revolving restuarant and there was provision for seating about two hundred people in the village street with a huge meal, drinks and concert. Everyone was surprised but happy to see me and my friend was back in his home after a few days in hospital and really seemed to come to life after I spent an hour chatting with him and his family.
I tried to spend some time with everyone I knew and had a meal, a few drinks and watched some of the concert. It was too hot to stay in the village overnight and soon it was time to go to my hotel in Korat city which resembled a war zone with the last day of Songkran in progress and ambulance and emergency services sirens blaring throughout the night. Songkran is a dangerous time on the roads with around 356 people killed and thousands injured in Thailand during that week. I slept well through the noise and really felt good about going to the village, my ties with the people there will always be strong.
San, the sister of my friend from Petchabun and her two daughters Net and Nan aged eight and eleven have spent a
fair bit of time with us in Pattaya. To say they are the most loving and wonderful young girls is no exaggeration and I would fly to Thailand just to see them and for one of their hugs and kisses. On Sunday we took Net and Nan on the ferry to Koh Larn which is a beautiful island thirty minutes from Pattaya. The water is clear for swimming and the girls probably spent five hours in the water and only left for some food and drink. It is really enjoyable feeling like part of a family when I am here and I am never alone.
It has been an amazing month, fortunately just missing the bombings when we stayed in Bangkok for two days last week and the great times spent with everyone in Phetchabun, Korat and Pattaya.
One of the highlights for me was April 19 which is the main day of Songkran celebrated in Pattaya where the festival runs over at least six days instead of the usual three days in the many parts of Thailand. Most Thais return to see their families between April 13 to 15 so the big day in Pattaya on the
19th gives everyone time to have some Songkran fun with their friends in the city as well.
I had heard the Pattaya Songkran was out of control and best to be avoided but we had a great day riding around through the crowded streets on our motorcycle and being doused in water albeit sometimes very cold, icy water. We also ventured along the Walking Street and Beach Road up to the Central Festival building. There were concerts happening at various points along the road, lots of food stalls and water canons created a rainbow at the Central Festival area. I only saw two morons who were foreigners shooting their very dangerous water pipe canons into the faces of others at close range. I will always try and get back to Thailand and Pattaya for Songkran and what I believe is a really wonderful time in the Land of Smiles.
From Wikipedia:
"The Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from 13 to 15 April.
The throwing of water originated as a way to pay respect to people, by capturing the water after it had been poured over the Buddhas for cleansing
Phetchabun
It was a very dry and hot environment in Phetchabun and then using this "blessed" water to give good fortune to elders and family by gently pouring it on the shoulder.
The water is meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad away and is sometimes filled with fragrant herbs when celebrated in the traditional manner."
Kop khun khrap - Thank you
Sawatdee khrap - Goodbye
Pob gan mai - See you again soon
Click on the pics if you want a larger view of the 50 photos (click Next to see more pics).
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