I lived in a small Thai hotel for several years.

Low season saw few customers – clandestine lovers/short timers and overnight travellers.

There was just one other long term resident and he avoided contact – I think he even crossed the road to avoid me.

Eventually, we got into a conversation and I would take him to one side and sit down in reception for mainly gossip and tips, etc.

We become good friends – he was in his eighties and not well.

Suddenly, he died and I was invited to the funeral service and cremation at the local Wat, by the two ladies from the hotel reception.

My first time; I took some money to make a contribution.

My contribution was well appreciated and I was invited to meet the Abbott.

It was a struggle as I had to join the group and enter on my knees – very painful so ended up on all fours.

I was presented with a wrist bracelet not just the ordinary piece of string but an upmarket version with a green bead.

Normally, I reject jewellery and such but I felt good about wearing this as memory of my friend.

Sadly, after about 6 months, it fell apart in the shower.

A few days, later I heard that a speedboat had been arranged and his remains post cremation had been ‘laid to rest’ some distance offshore.

The two ladies from hotel reception who each had about 10 words of English, explained by gesture that the bones were long.

I deduced that the skeleton was intact to a degree but possibly ‘dismembered’.

This left me wondering are the hundreds of dismembered bones out there rolling around with the tides, in an offshore ossuary?

Some weeks later, the two ladies from hotel reception happily told me that our departed friend was still with us in the hotel.

I was mystified and no details were forthcoming.

I kept dropping hints for more detail – they revealed our departed friend was on the top shelf in the reception area – in the form of a tiny Father Xmas figurine, maybe taken from a Xmas cake, or a misplaced bystander at a nativity scene.

I actually believe he committed suicide, but that is another story.

 

3 minutes ago, John49 said:

I lived in a small Thai hotel for several years.

Low season saw few customers – clandestine lovers/short timers and overnight travellers.

There was just one other long term resident and he avoided contact – I think he even crossed the road to avoid me.

Eventually, we got into a conversation and I would take him to one side and sit down in reception for mainly gossip and tips, etc.

We become good friends – he was in his eighties and not well.

Suddenly, he died and I was invited to the funeral service and cremation at the local Wat, by the two ladies from the hotel reception.

My first time; I took some money to make a contribution.

My contribution was well appreciated and I was invited to meet the Abbott.

It was a struggle as I had to join the group and enter on my knees – very painful so ended up on all fours.

I was presented with a wrist bracelet not just the ordinary piece of string but an upmarket version with a green bead.

Normally, I reject jewellery and such but I felt good about wearing this as memory of my friend.

Sadly, after about 6 months, it fell apart in the shower.

A few days, later I heard that a speedboat had been arranged and his remains post cremation had been ‘laid to rest’ some distance offshore.

The two ladies from hotel reception who each had about 10 words of English, explained by gesture that the bones were long.

I deduced that the skeleton was intact to a degree but possibly ‘dismembered’.

This left me wondering are the hundreds of dismembered bones out there rolling around with the tides, in an offshore ossuary?

Some weeks later, the two ladies from hotel reception happily told me that our departed friend was still with us in the hotel.

I was mystified and no details were forthcoming.

I kept dropping hints for more detail – they revealed our departed friend was on the top shelf in the reception area – in the form of a tiny Father Xmas figurine, maybe taken from a Xmas cake, or a misplaced bystander at a nativity scene.

I actually believe he committed suicide, but that is another story.

 

A bar in Patong, kept their John up on the top shelf with a picture and he got his daily shot of thai whiskey and respect as he should from the old lady he left behind.