You experience everything in Thailand (48)

Last week you were able to meet Christiaan Hammer, who told about his first visit to the Isaan. You can read that story again: www.thailandblog.nl/leven-thailand/je-maak-van-alles-mee-in-thailand-41

He promised in it that he would come back and Christiaan made the following report of that second visit:

My second visit to the Isaan

During my previous visit to the village of Na Pho, I had heard that the children of the partner of the village chief, Mr. Li, wanted badminton rackets and such. I brought it with me on my next visit. They had sent me an English book by a well-known Thai writer from their region, namely Pira Sudham (see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pira_Sudham ).

When I arrived at Don Muang airport, I was very surprised to see early in the morning the village chief Li with his wife and Li's daughter with her 8-year-old son, who were waiting for me. The daughter, who spoke a little English, apologized and asked if we could stay in Bangkok for two days. Father Li and the others had never been to Bangkok and wanted to see the famous temples. It was a pleasant day.

When we went to eat somewhere in the afternoon, LI asked if we could go to Patpong tonight. I said it was fine and his partner agreed too. But his partner thought he wanted to go to the Nightmarket, but Li said he wanted to see the famous bars with dancing girls. So we went there first and we ordered beers there. However, Li often had to go to the toilet to look past the scantily dressed ladies in that toilet room. When he ordered his second beer, his partner said: "Li, now you've seen enough and so now to the market."

We spent the night in a hotel and left around noon after some shopping to Na Pho. On the way, Li's daughter told me that the dentures I bought for Li last time were stolen. He had left it at home while harvesting rice. Cambodians probably took the opportunity to commit burglaries.

I once told the daughter that I would like to live in Thailand, but that I also had to work in the Netherlands for 3 to 6 years. Besides, it would be easier if I married a Thai. On the way home she said that she was still officially married, although her husband had been living with another woman for 7 years and had fathered 3 children. She also said that she had gone to the court in Yasothon with her father to obtain the divorce, but that her husband did not want that. I think he had high financial demands. She said it was a disappointment and I understood what she meant. I'd think about it when I got home.

Once back in the village I was warmly welcomed and heard that the recently harvested rice had been very successful. This was attributed to my presence at the planting. That surprised me and attributed it to superstition.

I also met the mayor of Na Pho and the commander of the police in that district at Mr. Li's place. The latter promised me full cooperation if I ever moved there.

One day they went to sow rice again and asked me to walk around the village to keep an eye on everything when strangers came. I did that and occasionally played with the kids. When I went for a walk and passed their school, I was greeted by dozens of their classmates.

The farewell approached and then the village gave me a piece of silk, from which they had a tunic shirt made for me. A lot of work had been done on it. The silk came from Li's partner's mulberry trees. His cousins ​​had spun the yarn and an aunt had woven the cloth. A great-uncle made that shirt. A real village gift. Now more than 25 years ago I still have it, but it no longer fits.

The family took me to Na Pho bus station. Even now I stayed in Bangkok for a few more days just to have a nice meal.

Later I sent some more letters and also got a response from Li's daughter. In April of the following year I wanted to come again and announced my arrival. In the China Airlines plane I suddenly found myself sitting next to the author of the book that the children had sent, namely Pira Sudham. I had a nice chat with him, but unfortunately fell asleep after the first meal until an hour before arriving in Thailand. No one was waiting for me there.

I fell ill the day after arrival and, on the advice of a doctor, went to a quiet place by the sea, where I met my current wife. I have received and answered a letter from the family.

Later I learned that 2 or 3 of the first people I met on Phuket died in the tsunami on Phuket.