The View from Nongkhai

Part 33

Published

30 April 2006

Comments on Episode 32

Despite being told her name every time I have met her, I had once again forgotten Jessica's name when I came to write the last episode. I tried to hide my lapse of memory by referring to her as José's gorgeous partner, but she wasn't fooled. She was however so very charming about my lapse, and forgave me. Truly José she is lovely, and you are one lucky hombre!

Song Kran in Bangkok

In part 29 I mentioned meeting Gemma (left) in Bangkok. Earlier this month, my son Chris flew in to be with Gemma for her first Song Kran. I took the opportunity to go to Bangkok to see them both. Sadly Dott wasn't able to go with me, which meant that I had to go alone. Despite Dott's absence, I was still able to have a good time in Bangkok with Chris, Gemma and friends. My trip also meant that I was not able to attend the Miss Nongkhai contest at the Meeting Place, so apologies to Paul for my absence, and to those readers who were hoping to see pictures from that night. I stayed at the same hotel in Khao San Road as Gemma and Chris, so we spent most of our waking time together. For those not familiar with Bangkok, Khao San Road is a favourite haunt of backpackers.

Song Kran is a four day public holiday in Thailand when many people go back to their villages to spend time with their families. However, not everyone can go. The group on the right were among those working over the holiday, but with typical Thai high spirits and desire to enjoy life, they were in party mood, even though they were actually working in a restaurant.

Most of this group came from Issan, and the two girls came from just down the road in Udonthani. So we had lots to talk about.

At that same restaurant we were joined by some of Chris's Thai friends that he met more than 10 years ago when he was living and working in Bangkok. In the centre picture below Gemma is framed by Ek and his wife Aimon. Ek has had a successful market stall on Khao San Road for more than 10 years. He revealed that he will be 40 this year. On the left, Chris poses with Ek's brother Eed, while on the right a random shot of Farangs with water pistols on Khao San Road. (It got a lot more crowded later).

Competition Time : Update

In July 2004 I included what I thought was a witty and amusing competition in part 4 involving some of the residents of Nongkhai at that time.  Use the link if you want to see the details. It was interesting to re-visit it, and find that exactly half of the people featured no longer run bars, restaurants or cafés, and some of them are no longer in Thailand. Of those remaining, at least one of them has put their business on the market. Where businesses ended, in each case the end resulted from a split with their wife/girlfriend. So be warned!

People on the Move

My next-door neighbour Graham (who won't thank me for putting his picture here) is moving out because he has a problem with his neighbour's dog. No it isn't Doughnut, it is the dog of the neighbour on the other side, and it's barking keeps him awake at night. So Graham has found a nice quiet place outside town with no dogs, which he describes as 'jungley'. Earlier in April, Graham went to the UK to visit his Aunt Alice (I wrote about her in part 25 ), so his house has been empty, and I am supposed to be keeping an eye on it for him. Imagine my surprise one week ago to find that the house was occupied. Yes a homeless itinerant had taken up residence.

I became aware of his presence when I heard a kookaburra-like laugh, (he also does a great 'woody woodpecker' impression). As you may have guessed it was my (older) twin brother Ian (right) pictured here in full woody woodpecker cry in the Outback Bar. I have no idea from where he got a key of Frugal's house, but he assured me that it had all been arranged and agreed with Frugal via the magic medium of 'Skype'. In the week since, Ian has decided to take over the house from Frugal, and plans to stay indefinitely. Now some will say that this is bad news for me, and they may be right, but in comparison with one of my former neighbours, Ian is a Godsend.

I venture to suggest that no-one has called him that before!

Left, Ian is a familiar figure pedalling around Nongkhai in his traditional ASU T-shirt. At night it is not quite the same story. Ian has become obsessed with lights. Before going out on his bike at night Ian covers himself from head to foot in lights of all colours, rather like a Christmas tree. When he is ready, he switches them all on and pedals off to his favourite haunts. I hear that he has been spotted 'flashing' in all the darker corners of the town. While Ian himself remains unharmed, he has been the cause of several near misses when Thai drivers have been exposed to Ian's flashing.

Food in Nongkhai

All of the meals below were delicious, and although something has been lost in the photographs, I think that it is not hard to see that the two outer dishes are served in a manner pleasing to the eye, whereas the centre dish was simply put on the plate. The dish on the left was a light breakfast at Leigh's Friendship Guesthouse, while the dish on the right was fish in breadcrumbs with chips and salad garnish at Glen's Outback Bar. The centre dish was a pork steak with fried onions, broccoli, carrots and sweet corn. It was equally delicious, but it just lacked that 'eye-appeal'. Discretion means that I won't print where it was served, but I will tell if asked.

It is not that long since Ian was last here, but the pace of change in Nongkhai is inexorable. So it was my pleasure to introduce my elder brother to some of the changes. I took Ian to meet Leigh and Tim at the Friendship Guesthouse where we both had a breakfast. While I prefer Leigh's breakfast, Ian wasn't converted, and remains of the opinion that the best breakfast in Nongkhai is Glen's big breakfast. Something to do with the amount of food on the plate I think.

Sweet Orchid revisited.

One of the restaurants that has changed hands is the Sweet Orchid. Ian and I visited it together for lunch and introduced ourselves to Dave the new owner. It turns out that Dave like Ian is from Australia. Ian and I wore our trademark Russell Athletic T-shirts and framed Dave. For those who have difficulty distinguishing between Ian and I, that is me on the left and Ian on the right. Lunch turned out to be very tasty, so I am sure that Dave will get further visits.

News from Brendan and Noi

It has rained every day between 26th and 30th. Not necessarily all day, but it has rained. So my feeling is that the rainy season is here, about one month early. This is good news for most people as it means it is just a little cooler, perhaps 80°F rather than 90°F. One evening I popped in to see Brendan, apparently just missing Ajarn Jon. Over the course of a couple of beers the conversation turned to the probability that the rainy season was here and things will be cooler. Brendan confided that just two weeks previously, unable to sleep in the hot weather he had spent a large sum of money installing AC in the bedroom.

Almost as soon as it was installed, the weather turned rainy and cooler, so that Brendan has not needed to use it! Brendan was suitably upset that he has spent this chunk of money on something that may not be needed again until next year. I suppose the consolation must be that his electricity bills will be less.

There must be something in the air. I mentioned a couple of episodes back at Micky & Oui's wedding that Giulio and Sangjun are expecting a baby. Brendan surprised me by announcing that he and Noi are also expecting a baby around the end of the year.

Someone else at Micky & Oui's wedding was Dan (left). Dan first appeared in part 21  when he was a victim of Not Gay Dave. Dan now has a new girlfriend Booey. Personally I think that Booey is far better looking than Anne, and I know that Ian couldn't take his eyes off her. Well done Dan!

Visiting Nongkhai

Far right is Peter. He like me (and I think Nigel) is an Arsenal supporter, although like Markus and Lea in part 29, he comes from Switzerland. I have known Peter for some years, and he will be familiar to John and Puy in Udonthani. Peter, rather like Dan above is no longer with his wife, and has a new girlfriend whose name is (I think) Noi. However I do remember the name of Peter's lovely daughter, which is Monja.

I included a thumbnail picture of Jessica above, but I really think that it does not do justice to her, so I have taken the liberty of including a larger version of it here.

OK that's enough for this episode. I have no idea what I will write about in the next episode. Hopefully I will have seen Chris and Gemma again before they leave Thailand. My daughter Jacq is expected to have her baby on 19th (Dott's birthday is the day before) which will be Jacq and Pras's third child, and my third grandchild. So there are some possibilities, 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.