Despite being 79, at an age when many are enjoying retirement, Mr. Wichai Kaewinthrathi, known as Uncle Wichai, is a familiar face on Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach. He brightens peoples' days by selling traditional Isaan music and instruments.

 

Uncle Wichai, originally from the peaceful town of Na Wa in northeastern Thailand's Nakhon Phanom province, has spent over four decades in Pattaya dealing in traditional Isaan musical instruments. His range of products includes khaen (mouth organs), pin (lutes), and vot.

 

Each day, Uncle Wichai takes his instruments along the long stretch of Jomtien Beach. The melodies he plays on the khaen never fail to attract people walking by. Both Thai locals and foreign tourists often stop to appreciate the music and admire the craftsmanship of his instruments. As the day ends, Uncle Wichai moves to South Pattaya to continue his musical activities late into the evening.

 

In an interview with local reporters, Uncle Wichai shared that each of his instruments is carefully crafted from bamboo and they carry the rich cultural heritage of his homeland, the Isaan province. Some of the instruments are made by his wife, and he is particularly skilled at playing the khaen. The instruments are for sale, with prices ranging from a few hundred to a thousand baht.

 

For Uncle Wichai, selling the instruments is more than just a way to make a living. It's a way of sharing his musical passion with the world. Uncle Wichai’s story stands as an inspiration that age is merely a number.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google

 

-- 2024-04-29

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Well, a photo of Uncle Wichai selling/playing his musical instruments at the beach would be nice.  I expect this is an AI article created from 'afar' 🙂

It would have been nice if the repoter had actually included a photo of Loong Wichai.

I cant ever recall seeing him.

The photo above shows an instrument similar to one type of Sth American pan flute.

Ah yes, I've often seen him on Jomtien beach, Phuket!

12 minutes ago, London Lowf said:

Ah yes, I've often seen him on Jomtien beach, Phuket!

It's the geographically challenged Snoop1130

 

Thai (Isan) 'pan pipes' are circular and called a 'wot', the ones in the OP look Peruvian.

 

 

.

should put him in touch with this guy, chinese I think but seems well capable of getting a tune out of those violin type things

 

amazing I'm sure you'll all agree

52 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Well, a photo of Uncle Wichai selling/playing his musical instruments at the beach would be nice.  I expect this is an AI article created from 'afar' 🙂

AI for sure, and its starting to get on my nerves a bit

I'm a little confused.  You can easily find the original article, and it's barely any different to the above, just a few words replaced here and there.  Is that allowed?  I don't see a link or a credit anywhere.

 

I understand we're not allowed to discus the merit of the news or the quality of the writing, but how does it work with reproducing another article without credit?

 

Also, why is an article about Pattaya in the Phuket sub?

 

https://thepattayanews.com/2024/04/29/79-year-old-thai-man-defies-age-continues-selling-traditional-isaan-musical-instruments-on-jomtien-beach/

1 hour ago, Goat said:

It would have been nice if the repoter had actually included a photo of Loong Wichai.

I cant ever recall seeing him.

 

Here u go

 

 

11 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

should put him in touch with this guy, chinese I think but seems well capable of getting a tune out of those violin type things

 

amazing I'm sure you'll all agree

 

At about 1:00 in, it sounded like he was going to bust out into the Orange Blossom Special.

 

As impressive as he already is, that would have been astounding.

 

Is it more or less than 24 hours since the  "massive upgrade" ushering in the new era of forum bliss was initiated?Less than impressed as yet.

 

 

 

28 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

At about 1:00 in, it sounded like he was going to bust out into the Orange Blossom Special.

 

As impressive as he already is, that would have been astounding.

 

you lost me for a moment then i remembered, roy clark, brilliant

 

 

Sorry TAT, I won't go to Jomtien Beach soon.

7 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

should put him in touch with this guy, chinese I think but seems well capable of getting a tune out of those violin type things

 

This guy should take his act to Nashville.  "The Devil Went Down to Roi Et" !

 

9 hours ago, simon43 said:

Well, a photo of Uncle Wichai selling/playing his musical instruments at the beach would be nice.  I expect this is an AI article created from 'afar' 🙂

i sat on a wall at jomtien couple months ago and he was ten feet from me....playing the instruments and lot of people stopped to listen and few people bought one. He is a very real person and seemed to be a bit of a character as many people walking by said hello to him....can't remember the price but it was reasonable and maybe a gift for someone back home.

12 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

AI for sure, and its starting to get on my nerves a bit

Chill-out, it's the future.

It's not old age. And if he loves his job, why to mention? 😶

15 hours ago, simon43 said:

Well, a photo of Uncle Wichai selling/playing his musical instruments at the beach would be nice.  I expect this is an AI article created from 'afar' 🙂

This article is copied directly from another publication which has got pictures it seems AN has stopped publishing the links to the original articles since it was put under new management. 

https://thepattayanews.com/2024/04/29/79-year-old-thai-man-defies-age-continues-selling-traditional-isaan-musical-instruments-on-jomtien-beach/

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

It's not old age. And if he loves his job, why to mention? 😶

He certainly seemed to be enjoying his job the day i watched him for 30 mins or so.  Lots of smiles from people and from him....he was not pushy at all about selling them and seemed to me to just like what he did and the smiles he brought to a lot of faces, especially kids.  Actually sort of enjoyable watching an old thai guy doing what he seemed to prefer doing...prob better than sitting home all day.  

1 hour ago, pomchop said:

He certainly seemed to be enjoying his job the day i watched him for 30 mins or so.  Lots of smiles from people and from him....he was not pushy at all about selling them and seemed to me to just like what he did and the smiles he brought to a lot of faces, especially kids.  Actually sort of enjoyable watching an old thai guy doing what he seemed to prefer doing...prob better than sitting home all day.  

Well, obviously it seems to be strange to see a 76 old man loving his job. In this way he'll meet every day different people. Keeps him young🙏

17 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

AI for sure, and its starting to get on my nerves a bit

Agreed, i dont know what to believe so perhaps it is time to download the national daily

Isaan and music in the same sentence ? Actually I have seen him a few times in Jomtien.

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Chill-out, it's the future.

 

Not a great future, it seems... 🤔

19 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

should put him in touch with this guy, chinese I think but seems well capable of getting a tune out of those violin type things

 

amazing I'm sure you'll all agree

During my military service in Malaya and Singapore in the early '60s the instrument was nicknamed 'Bugis Street Banjo' 😀

What was the point with the picture at the top ? It's clearly not the instrument.

 

Luckily someone gave us a link to the real article.