The View from Nongkhai

Part 32

Published

6 April 2006

Welcome to Episode 32

Just over a year ago, in  part 14  I included some pictures taken in a garage selling a variety of alcohol, while commenting that ordinary shops cannot sell alcohol between certain hours. Then in  part 17  there was a temporary ban on selling alcohol from garages during the period of Song Kran. Earlier this year that ban became permanent, and any shop (e.g. 7/11) located on a garage forecourt could not sell alcohol, although of course other 7/11's still can, albeit only for part of the day. I mention all this because of an almost bizarre anomaly which I experienced this week. I was in Tesco-Lotus in Nongkhai and had completed my purchases. As  I was passing the area where they sell alcohol (part- time) I encountered this pretty girl promoting beer. I was offered a sample glass of San Miguel, which I readily accepted and found very tasty. I also tried the San Miguel Light, but found that quite unpleasant, so reverted to the 'normal' San Miguel. Naturally I enquired whether I could buy some bottles, which at 55 baht for a litre bottle seemed good value to me, but no I could not buy any. So there is the anomaly. You can legitimately drink beer in Tesco-Lotus at any time, but you can buy it only some of the time! Amazing Thailand! Btw you can't take photos in Tesco-Lotus either unless you are buying a camera, and then it is OK.

Another distinctly odd situation occurred when Kim, Bent and I went with spouses one evening for a post-meal coffee at a Thai-run coffee shop in Meechai road. It was just before Bent went back to chilly Denmark, so we wanted to take some photos, and were very surprised when one of the staff told us that this was forbidden, because they didn't want their 'decor' being copied in a rival establishment. What decor? They didn't have any! And they won't be having us back as customers either!

Comments on Episode 31

From Julie (a former colleague at KCC when we were building the Thanet Way) via email:

From Cara via email:

From Barry when I bumped into him in Tesco-Lotus:

March Birthdays

There were a number of birthdays in March, but sadly I wasn't able to make it to every party to which I was invited. So first, apologies to Paul's father Ken, and to Giulio for missing both of their parties. At the beginning of the month it was Ton's birthday. He is the son of Nang (of Nang's bra) and a party was held in her bra. As it is a small bra, the pool table was pressed into service both for serving the food, and as a play area for her son. From time to time one hears complaints that when playing pool the ball does not always run true. I think we may have an explanation.

In the picture left, with Bent, Meurk and Ton, I am wearing a warm leather jacket, as were fellow permanent residents Kim and Leo (not visible), as the beginning of March was unseasonably cold. It was noticeable that Bent did not need a jacket, presumably because he is still acclimatised to chilly Denmark. (Btw Bent or Marianne - Has the temperature there risen above zero yet?).

The following week it was the birthday of Nang herself. No prizes for correctly guessing her age. Once more the pool table was pressed into service. Right, Win lights the candles while Nang talks with Chris on the phone, since Chris is now back in Alaska. I am told that Alaska is nearly as cold as Denmark, that would make Alaska a very cold place indeed. Perhaps Chris can comment?

Just two days later it was Win's birthday, which was celebrated with a meal at '999' one of the Korean barbecue restaurants along the bank of the Mekhong.

Below left, Win with his mother, not hard to spot the resemblance. Centre Win is standing between his sister Meurk in stripes and Dott in yellow, while sitting are Leo and Gerrit. Finally right Win poses with Gerrit's partner Chok Dee who was looking rather serious in this photograph.

The last of the March birthdays was Puy, boss of Prachoom Wittaya language school in Udonthani, seen with a big smile below left perched on husband American John's knee. In part 25 I referred to those poor distressed souls who have to live out their lives in Udonthani, and asked those who enjoy the privilege of living in Nongkhai to spare a thought for them. (Perhaps one day we'll extend our thoughts to those poor wretches in Phon Phisai, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, etc., but for the time being lets stick to Udonthani).  In that episode, I wrote about a "bagman" who wore shabby shapeless clothing no decent person would want to wear. He had no name, no identity, so I named him 'John'. See part 25 for picture.

Please don't confuse him with real people like 'Major John' (part 14) or American John left (and also part 4). Good news from Udon is that 'bagman John' has been rehabilitated. He no longer has to wear the dreadful clothes that identified his rôle while simultaneously stigmatising him, and he won't be seen shuffling around the open spaces of Don Bosco with his plastic bags.

I make no excuses for including a picture of Sao, a key member of staff at Prachoom Wittaya. Sao is single, and very, very sexy. If only I was single too!

Visiting from Udonthani

Regular visitors to the Outback Bar are Niel and Dougie (centre) seen here with Glen. Niel comes from Edinburgh and says that Niel is the Scottish spelling of Neil. Although spelt differently, they are pronounced the same way, but my spellchecker objected, so I have added Niel to it.

Niel and Dougie didn't make it to Glen's beach party, but close to 100 people dropped in at some time during the day.

Glen said that at one point he counted 72 people in the bar. Certainly all those who attended seemed to enjoy themselves. It was a shame that extra staff recruited by Glenn failed to show up, which coupled with the large numbers attending led to a slow service at times, but Glen and the staff tried very hard to keep delays to a minimum. Glen was very pleased with the turn out, and plans to repeat the event, but with different themes, and with more staff.

Beach Party Photos

Left: the party is ready for the off.

Right: Jeff ('no mates') sits alone waiting for someone (anyone) to sit with him.

The fact that so many people turned up, meant that eventually some people did come to sit with Jeff mainly because there were no other seats left. (picture later)

Glen was the only one to take an afternoon dip, complete with beer, shades, & pink fish. As a result he spent the rest of the day walking round in wet togs, but then perhaps he needed them to stay cool.

Mandatory dress was 'beach wear', but I decided to add to it, and arrived as seen below left. Glen's comment to Greg was 'Ah the first balloon chaser'. From my point of view I was watching people's faces for the moment that they realised it was me, so I was pleased to have fooled them all initially, especially Glen.

A balloon chaser moi?

Martin & Pina Colada     

Jimmy the Schmear

Dr José & gorgeous partner   

Below left Greg and Nik wore matching shirts. If you are wondering about the strange look on Nik's face, it may be explained by the placing of Nikki's left hand, while Greg was clearly enjoying the placing of her right hand. Later Nikki posed with (l to r) me, Dott and Nik's wife Noy. Nikki's happy grin may be explained by the placing of my right hand. Looking back to part 7, you have put on some weight Nikki!

Below right Brendan in characteristically dreadful pose, but at least this time he had his eyes open. The position of his hands is not recorded.

As forecast above, Jeff ('no mates') did have people on his table, (below left) simply because there was nowhere else for them to sit. In the centre picture, Pete and I were having a friendly exchange of views, necessitating the placing of my hands around his throat. Below right an evening dip rounded off the night.

On a Quieter Note

Leigh and Tim (right) were also at the Outback. Although we spoke at the beach party, I have no photo of them, so I have used this one of them posing outside their establishment, the Friendship Guesthouse. At first sight it might appear that they are sharing a shirt, but the truth is that each day everyone working there wears a matching shirt. As the sign suggests, Leigh and Tim offer food and beverage(s). Perhaps it is because Leigh is from 'down under' that you are limited to a beverage, but I like to think that it is a typographical error, as I know from personal experience that one is not limited to one drink.

The Friendship Guesthouse is in a tranquil location close to the river at the eastern end of Tha Sadet. I must confess to being a regular visitor, and if Leigh takes the hint below I will be visiting more often.

The Search : A Conclusion?

Ever since Carlsberg pulled out of Thailand (theirs is a familiar story, you enter into an arrangement with your Thai partner, which you think is equitable, but somehow they end up with everything while you end up with nothing), I have been seeking an acceptable alternative beer. At Glen's beach party he had Chang Light, which is branded to look like Carlsberg and is passably acceptable. But with the introduction of San Miguel (that I tasted but could not buy at Tesco-Lotus), this has to be the beer of the (my) future. So I made an offer to Leigh, if you will stock it, I will come and drink it. A glass of ice-cold San Miguel in the tranquil setting of the Friendship Guesthouse sounds perfect to me. Over to you Leigh.

When I got to this point in my narrative, I got an email from Greg with more Beach Party photos. Rather than go back and make amendments, I include here some of the cast previously missed, courtesy of Greg (of Thaigirlsingle). I was pleased that there was a picture of Leigh and Tim, together with Tim's son Nice doing an excellent impression of Wallace (of Wallace & Gromit movies). In the centre picture in the background are myself and Ajarn Jon's back, as he didn't have a pass from his wife to be at the party, while in the front are (l to r) Peter, John, Nok and Greg. Below right is Yai's daughter Fa looking rather gorgeous.

Miss Nongkhai 2006

Fa is too young to enter the Miss Nongkhai contest this year, but who knows, perhaps in a few years time?

The inaugural Miss Nongkhai contest will be held at the Meeting Place on 17th April. For more details visit this website:- http://www.missnongkhai.com

When I visited the site I was flattered to find this photo of mine had been used. It is of Paul's daughter Gop, when she entered the Miss Loi Kratong contest last November (part 26).

OK that's enough for this episode. In the next episode I will  write about Song Kran, my son Chris and Gemma in Bangkok, (let's hope I can get a good photo of Gemma,) the Miss Nongkhai contest, plus of course anything else that I think might amuse or interest you.

If you want to write to us, but you don't know our personal email addresses, you can email us at mail@nongkhai.co.uk 

Best Wishes to all our readers        Tony and Dott 

P.S. Doughnut says 'Woofs to all readers' and special kisses to Kim.