Kees, a lost tourist on Koh Samui

During my first Thailand trip, about 18 years ago with a budget of 1000 guilders (450 euros) in my pocket for one month's stay, I ended up on the then virtually untouched Koh Samui. I had spent a little too much money in Bangkok, so my budget per day had to be reduced considerably for the next week.

I had a simple bungalow on the beach for 80 bath with communal shower, but right on the beach (yes, 80 bath, the prices have gone up a bit lately).

It was a small bungalow park with only twelve simple bungalows without a built-in shower. Very nicely located directly on the beach, next to a river, where many frogs croaked, especially in the evening. A beautiful place. What was less was that it rained every day and not just a little bit.

The rainy season usually ends around this time, mid-December. According to the Thai people, it could not be much longer. Unfortunately we spent another 5 days there in the pouring rain and you adapt to the circumstances.

Lots of swimming, you're already wet! Furthermore, playing many games in the small restaurant / residence with the other guests, reading a lot and playing the guitar. And in the evenings telling stories and jokes while enjoying a few Singha beers with the other guests or making music. All in all, even without sun very cozy.

Kees could tell nicely what he has experienced

The bungalow park was run by Kees and his Thai girlfriend Pat. Kees was a 1,92 meter tall and slender man, but also muscular. A sunburned and tanned face, black hair and dark eyebrows.

He was my age, 40 years old and built this himself seven years ago. He started with three bungalows and expanded to twelve. He also built the restaurant/accommodation himself in the third year. The piece of land was in the name of his girlfriend Pat.

Pat was 38 years old and a bit short (most Thais are short of course) and stocky with a friendly face. When the two of them stood next to each other, she barely reached Kees's chest height.

Kees was a down-to-earth and friendly man and could talk about what he experienced here, especially with some of the guests who stayed here. For example, there was a Norwegian who insisted on catching fish in the sea with a dragnet. He kept that up for three long days before giving up without catching a single fish.

The restaurant worked with 12 booklets, numbered from 1 to 12. You only paid when you checked out. You kept track of what you ate and drank in your booklet and wrote it down per day. That was easy with beers, you just put a dash behind the word beer every time.

Well, I have to say that I forgot a few dashes on a very pleasant evening. You walk to the cooler and, already half tipsy, take a can of beer out of the ice. Yes, then you no longer think of a dash. The next day we counted the empty beer cans and still put the correct number of lines.

Half of the visitors were stoned, drunk or tripping

One morning Kees asked the group if anyone would like to go to Koh Phangan for two days, a nearby island less than three hours by boat. There is a big party there because of the full moon. A number of us thought that was something and with Kees and five other men we spent two days there.

I actually didn't like it much. Half of the visitors there were stoned or drunk or tripping on the mushrooms. A Thai told us that two tourists drowned last year because they wanted to swim back to Koh Samui after using mushrooms. The island seems very close, especially after a mushroom trip, but appearances can be deceiving.

After three months he did not return to the Netherlands

The second day on Koh Phangan, Kees told us how he ended up here. Seven years ago he went to Thailand for a holiday for three months when his Dutch wife had abandoned him. He needed a break. He met Pat on Koh Samui and Pat wanted to start something for himself. And why not a bungalow park?

Pat had some savings and bought or leased a piece of land. Kees was a carpenter by trade, so he built a simple house, big enough for two to live in. Then three bungalows and that's how they started. From the money they earned from the rent, they expanded it to twelve bungalows and a simple restaurant.

He actually had to return to the Netherlands after three months, but has called his boss and family that he will not return to the Netherlands. He had it his way. It's not a fat pot, but we can live on it and we don't need much.

To my question: 'Have you ever gone back to the Netherlands?', his answer was: 'No you can't, because I no longer have a passport'. That has long since expired. In short: Kees has let his three-month visa expire and has been here illegally in Thailand for almost seven years now. The police are not difficult, have never asked questions about his stay here. Possibly Pat put in a good word (penny) with the local police.

'But then you can never go back to the Netherlands, Kees, without being caught,' I said. 'I can see it, I'll make up some bullshit that I've lost my passport or something, but I'll have to arrange that with the embassy. But I'm not going back to the Netherlands,' he said. Things haven't been going so well with his girlfriend lately, they've been sleeping separately for months. However, Kees is dependent on his girlfriend to survive in Thailand.

I still think about Keith sometimes

Unfortunately, the month passed much too quickly and after a farewell dinner with Kees and Pat and some other guests and a promise that we would definitely come back, I went back to Bangkok by boat and bus. After I left I turned to wave once more and wondered what would become of Kees if he and his girlfriend split up or if he becomes seriously ill or something. I never saw Kees again, but I still think of him sometimes. Would he still be there?

– Reposted message –