You experience everything in Thailand (4)
This fourth installment was made by blog reader Frans Godfried, who wrote his story via the contact form. sent. If you also have a nice memory of something special, funny, curious, moving, strange or ordinary that you experienced in Thailand, write it down and send it to the editor. You can do that through it contact form. or by e-mail [email protected]
This is the story of Francis Godfrey
Gift verjaardags
After we had been there for a while in 1979, my traveling companion and I returned to Thailand sometime in 1980 while globetrotting. We took up residence in an apartment in Sukhumvit Soi 22 and from there we explored Bangkok. We got to know Soi Cowboy and of course also the then well-known Thermae Coffeeshop on Sukhumvit Road.
In the Thermae Coffeeshop I met a nice lady with whom I have been happily married for 36 years. All that did not go without a hitch, getting married in what was then Bangkok. Visits to the embassy, having translations made into English at Bahn Adrie was far too expensive. Calling the Netherlands and waiting for papers. Almost an endless prayer. Stamp this way and stamp that way.
In 1983, living in Soi Ekkamai with my wife and her 2 small children, on December 13, coincidentally my birthday, there is a knock on the door. It was my wife's cousin, or if we felt like getting married today. Huh, why? Well, he knew an official at the amphur who was willing to arrange things for a few hundred baht under the table.
So on my birthday I went to the amphur completely unexpectedly, me on the back of my cousin's motorcycle and my wife by taxi. T-shirt for 20 baht, sports shorts and slippers for 10 baht, that was my wedding suit. My wife looked just a little better. After some wrangling and in between having to buy a stamp from our marriage official at some ministry, the "ceremony" could begin. The bahts changed hands under the table and the deal was done. We were married. When we came out again we were the proud owners of an official Thai marriage certificate. Double party in the evening with a bottle of Mekhong and cola.
A day to remember, what a birthday present!
Wonderful story of a happy man!
Hello French,
Yes, those were good times and the Mehkong seemed much tastier then, at least cheaper
Think back to it with you on your Ekkamai balcony.
Greetings, Joe
French
Nice reading, thank you.
Wonderful wish you lots of luck
Nice piece. Well, as far as I'm concerned, a wedding doesn't have to cost a lot. All those spendthrifts. Keep the money to yourself.
To each his own, right?
I got married according to Thai tradition with a big party, out of respect for my wife. It was a beautiful day that we will never forget.
Such a wedding party happened to me too. Quite a nice memory. I don't need it a second time.
Oh Eric, 'just keep your money to yourself'?
What about all those farang who don't leave a single penny for their Thai wife on their deathbed? Their entire marriage was well taken care of, but at the end of the day it was nice and selfish and that poor lady no longer counts. I know a few cases like that.
Showing off with a nice girl, blowing away their pension every month, isn't it sad? No, I'm not like that. My wife knows my financial situation perfectly and knows, the day I am gone, that I will not leave her destitute. It's a matter of a little respect.
Dear Eric,
We regularly read here that if we come to live here, we must adapt to the local culture, that we must learn the Thai language and must respect Thailand in general.
Marrying a Thai lady means adapting to their traditions. It's very sad that you don't care about any of that. To marry means to adapt, on both sides. I understand the frustrations of some ladies when their Farang doesn't grant them anything at all. How can you love each other and build a beautiful relationship? I do have some questions about that.