Granddad

Hi Ubonr1971,

Just a few thoughts on the social side of life.

Last Thursday I took my grandchildren to the cinema to watch the latest 3D film: "Big Hero 6" It was showing at one of the 3 main cinemas here and all five of us enjoyed it. The language was Thai and there were no sub titles but I was able to enjoy it. The grandchildren are now full of the catch phrases that they picked up from the film. These cinemas often have English language films.

On Saturday three of us went to the municipal swimming pool in Warin, as usual. There are other pools in Ubon but we go to this one because their father, my son-in-law likes to attend the sauna in the temple next door to the pool. Saturday has developed into a regular day out.

I've more or less stopped drinking alcohol but there are 4 or 5 "Falang" bars which cater for we foreigners, talking of which, where I live should be re-christened "Little Amsterdam".There are at least 4 Danish guys living within 100 yards of my house. One of them runs a falang cafe with steak, salads and french fried.

Yes, Ubon is certainly the "in" place.

Granddad

Is there any chance you could write some more about the incident in question or perhaps your time in Thailand during the war? Fully understand if you do not wish to.

The reason for my interest is that over the past year or so I have had a few vets make contact with me and my blog remembering their time spent in Ubon during the war. Some of them them supplied photos and video as well. Just a few days ago I uploaded quite a few photos of time spent at the Ubon airforce base with a commentary given by one ex soldier. http://memock.wordpress.com/2011/11/25/life-in-ubon-ratchathani-as-a-soldier-during-the-vietnam-war/ This is the third time I have done this and I find the stories, information and photos all fascinating.

Hi MeMock

My time in Thailand during what the Lao people refer to as the second Indo-China war left a deep impression on me. But there are many loose ends and many unanswered questions that pose a problem even today. If you are interested in this period of history then you should read The Ravens by Christopher Robins a book about the Secret War in Laos. I’ve also included some web sites that might interest you that bring the story up to date

A Small Footnote to History

General Vang Pao died in Exile in the USA in January this year (2011). “He led a 15-year CIA-sponsored secret war in Laos during the Vietnam War and, when it was lost, led tens of thousands of his people into exile.” See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific- 2133710

To this day the Hmong people are being persecuted by the Lao Authorities. See: http://hmongnews.net/hmong-peoples-persecution-in-laos/ (for old photos, watch the video to the end)

and even those Hmong who have sought refugee status in Thailand and Vietnam are being persecuted. See: http://www.euronews.net/2009/12/28/thai-army-begins-repatriation-of-hmong-people/ (Thailand)

and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13382433 (Vietnam)

I’m sorry to say that we live in a very unjust world.

Hi Nignoy,

Re: 29th November 1965

I remember that night well. I was in the village with my girlfriend listening to “The Voice of America” on her small transistor radio. The announcer was boasting about the latest advances on the Plain of Jars by the Lao Loyalist Troops and detailing the amount of ground won from the Pathet Lao. It seemed to me that the loyalist forces had been advancing for ever. It was only later that I learned that General Vang Poa and his Hmong irregular forces were in full combat with most of the North Vietnam Army: but I digress.

It was a quiet night but about 9.00 maybe 9.30 p.m. I heard three shots: there may have been more but I only heard three. The reaction from “Papa-san”, the owner of the house, was almost immediate. He quietly lifted the ladder that was used to descend to the ground, blew out the candles, put his finger to his lips to signal silence and sat in the shadows with his machete on his lap. We were all watching and wondering what the shooting was about. It seemed to me the whole village had gone quiet. The pigs had stopped grunting and the usual movement of people around the alleyways had ceased: there was no moon.

Because it was getting late and I had to be back at camp for the 2200 hrs curfew I asked Papa-san to lower the ladder but he said “No”. The girlfriend also said “No. You stay here. You stay safe.” and it took several minutes to persuade them that I had to return to camp. At one stage I threatened to jump from the balcony but it was pitch black and I didn’t fancy landing in the mess left by the shit buffalos. Eventually the ladder was lowered and I made my way back through the darkened village to the main road (where there were some lights as I remember) and then from the main road along the well worn track back to camp. But it was eerie, there was no-one around on the road when usually it was busy with a whole lot of squaddies making their way back in time for the 22.30 bed check. Where was everyone? What were those shots? Why didn’t I stay drinking in the NAAFI instead of seeing the G.F?

The road was very dark but I knew it well and soon got back to Nash Gate. There, instead of the single sentry on duty was the Guard Commander and two of the guards. I thought “Sod me! I’m in the s**t now.” As it happened I was late for the curfew but the Guard Commander, a full corporal, just ticked my name off on his list and told me to report to Jerry Farnsworth, my troop Staff Sergeant immediately. “That’s strange,” I thought “they usually arrest me first and I get to see my Staff Sergeant in the morning.” I went to my billet to dump my pack but was greeted by everyone saying; “Farnsworth’s looking for you”..... <deleted>.......!!!

After about five minutes I found Jerry and he then ticked me off on his list.

“What’s going on?” I said, “I thought I heard shots.”

He just looked at me and said “Go to bed” It was the way that he said it that made me obey but when I got back to my billet I found that Jim Box’s bed, the one opposite mine, had already been taken away.

Nowadays, I live in Ubon and I was last at the airfield in Leong Nok Tha a week ago (1/12/11). It was only a brief visit but I saw no signs of a wreath. It seems that the old airfield is, at last, starting to be used. The Thai army have laid tarmac on the access road from the main 212 and have constructed a building which they are using as an office cum stores. They have started building a fence around the runway and parking area and have repaired the subsidence that caused the large puddle during the rainy season. The airfield has been given a code: it is now UBP(VTUT) and from recent enquiries it is able to service light aircraft. A friend of mine (also ex 59 sqn) has plans to fly into UBP(VTUT) from Pattaya, maybe next year

Maybe we'll meet at the airfield one of these days.

Chiang Mai tourist deaths may be linked to Organo-phosphate poisoning

In an interview on BBC radio 4 (You and Yours, 22/04/2011) Professor David Mabey, the professor of Communicable Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said that the probable cause of death in these cases was myocarditis: (inflammation of the heart muscle) and food poisoning does not cause this.

The Thai authorities have promised full co-operation with the World Health Organisation who will investigate the deaths

It seems that the deaths were very sudden and professor Mabey said, “there are very few infections that will cause such sudden deaths. To my mind the most likely explanation is some form of poison or toxin”

“The most likely cause of poisoning in Asia are insecticides which they use widely in farming to kill off pests. There are probably a lot of deaths due to these organo-phosphates, as they are called, among the poor rural farmers that never get reported. The investigation [by the W.H.O.] should look for the source of that [poison].

Professor Mabey’s interview can be heard here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b010fd84/

I agree with myfriendyou: Phanom Rhung is a great khymer temple and well worth a detour. Be prepared to spend the whole day there.

Hi Russian Robert,

Try “Cheap Charlies” bar, Sukhumvit - Soi 11. This is a well attended hang out for falangs and although the décor is poor the bar girls know that they should keep away from the patrons. Cheers!

Jim

Hi Ken,

I have recently bought a new house for my daughter and the rest of her family and the old house is vacant. She is trying to sell the old house but after talking to her she tells me that she is willing to rent it. It is near the bus station (near Big C) and is currently vacant.

She is a Thai national so perhaps your good lady would like to talk on the phone. E-mail me with your phone number if you are interested.

Jim.

Count me in for the BBQ, the free beer, the birthday party and the Cup Final. Sounds great!

Granddad

I have been in Ubon for the past month (visiting daughter and grandchildren) and the best news is that it hasn't rained. There is nothing to do, nowhere to go and very little to see.

When I get too pissed off with Ubon I take the bus to Mukdahan (3 Hrs). At least there is a reasonable Indo-Chinese market there and the Mekong river looks good over a glass of beer.

If you have to come, then catch a No. 2 Songthiew from the railway station to the TAT office. In my experience it is one of the better ones.