Blogs from Chiang Rai, North-West Thailand, Thailand, Asia - page 30

This weekend I was visited by my mum who came out to Chiang Mai as an avoidance tactic of some sorts from a paradigm shift at home. Little Lu Lu my sister has just started at Bristol Uni so dad took a long weekend down there to see her off OK and pop by the Hawthorns. When I told the guys here (all European) that she was only coming out for a weekend they gawped in astonishment before I explained it was no biggy at all from Hong Kong, even with the new Bangkok airport still having some pretty critical issues. For those reading this with no experience of Chiang Mai. It is culturally rich with 13th century walls surrounding the old part and a sprawling suburban landscape beyond that. Within and directly outside the old ... read more

Although I’ve been playing footie about 2 or 3 times a week with Will and his mates, today I am to start a competitive game between the Maekok resort staff and teachers from schools in the local area, my first start in a full game for about 6 years. Not sure how long it’s been since I finished a game I started but it’s been even longer still. My fitness is fine but I feel that although tanks in Bangkok didn’t insight a fist raised in anger from the Thai people, a firm European style slide tackle might insight rioting in the streets. Following this there is a staff party in the resort as a pre-Songkram (sp?) Festival - for which I think I get a month off school - knees-up. Needless to say I’m not ... read more

Wow, I bet all my teachers back at Manchester Uni are so jealous I’m here! Probably not for that matter as things have mercifully been very calm since the army took control of the TV and radio as well as the national government. The general in charge has said that he will step down after two weeks. I’m sure those outside of the Thai army will share my unease at this promise coming from a man who just rolled tanks into government buildings after a failed assassination attempt on Thaksin last week. There’s no doubt that Thailand is on the edge of a precipice with many potential benefits and problems in store for the people. Anything from a military dictatorship (highly, highly unlikely) to a totally free and fair democracy is possible. However, as it will ... read more

Despite a start that indicated to the contrary, today was a rather eventful day. All lower school were out on a field trip today (which I would have appreciated being informed about but no matter) which meant that I had no official obligations to fulfil. Instead I headed into the resort to see if my services would be of any use to the crew there (now numbering one more since the return of James) who I knew were in the throws of refitting the climbing wall since some modifications to it. The process seems like it will be at first tedious then arduous. First a dozen or so sheets of old waterproof ply have to be repainted (a surprisingly fetching and elegant grey) and affixed to the wall. Then due to a shortage of ‘t’ nuts ... read more

Well I always knew when signing up for this project that things weren’t going to be plain sailing the entire way. Part of its appeal was the challenges it presented both from the new experiences and the isolation from everything familiar (though as I write this I have to comforting musical swells of the West Wing theme playing in background). The weekend was a real mixture of highs and lows. I had a really good time on Saturday evening watching the football with Bas and Will along with some of the other guys who work at the resort. Although Will was quiet at the Liverpool result, I was quite jovial at the West Brom score though and watching the game with the guys was class. The grindingly slow pace of Sunday was rather depressing though. I ... read more