Andrew Forbes, who lived in Chiang Mai for over 20 years, passed away suddenly in Luang Prabang, Laos aged 67, on March 5, 2017.  He was in Luang Prabang to lead a tour of Indochina for Wilderness Travel.  Hearing of his illness, his best friend and business partner David Henley rushed to LPB and was with him in his final moments.  His wife Phet arranged a cremation there and his ashes were returned to Chiang Mai and spread on the Ping River, after a ceremony at his home in Nong Khwai, Hang Dong, attended by his daughter Isabel, who lives in London, and his many friends in Chiang Mai.

Andrew, full appellation, Dr. Andrew Donald Wilson Rashid Forbes, led a life rich of travel and experience.  He was a scholar, whose PhD thesis “Muslim and Warlords in Chinese Central Asia: A Political History of Republican Sinkiang 1911–1949 “ was published by Cambridge University Press, and  a historian of great knowledge, particularly on East Asia and the Middle East.  His series of books “Ancient Chiang Mai” give valuable insights into many esoteric corners of Northern Thai history and culture.

I had the good fortune to work with Andrew and David some time ago, producing illustrated large format books to form a series called “Peoples and Cultures of Southeast Asia”. I was impressed not only with his powerful intellect and incredible knowledge, but also his sense of humor and appreciation of life’s absurdities and vagaries.  His generosity of spirit gave me valuable encouragement in my aspiration to write, and always kept me laughing.

We’ll miss you, Doctor Forbes!
 

Regarding my post above on Andrew Forbes, please note that Andrew passed away on February 5, not March 5.  My apologies for the error.

It is with the greatest regret that I must report the death of long term CM resident and US citizen Richard Bonine. His daughter Catherine has just informed me that he passed away this morning.

 

For those of you who knew him he had been suffering recurring respiratory problems in recent years and was only able to visit his favourite haunts when the smog and temperatures allowed.

 

Richard was a fine man who I have had the privilege of being able to call a friend for many years. We would meet, in his healthier days, in a variety of watering holes and ‘put the world to rights’, we would not always agree with the outcome of those ‘discussions’ but all always parted friends and agreed to disagree.

 

Recently, as bad health caught up with him, he was only able to go out to the city for an early morning coffee and pick up some western food and a discussion! Despite his failing health he kept a cheery but cynical outlook on life which I and all his friends will certainly miss.

 

Richard’s funeral will be held at Wat Ko Klang on Monday. I will post more details as I get them.

RIP Richard and my condolences to all of your family and friends.

Rip: Dew Kosurat (Cutler Barber Shop)

This is just a quick message to let people know that the young barber Diew (Dew) of the Cutler Barber Shop has died. The reason for my post here is that Cutler's is a popular vintage barbers with foreigners in Chiang Mai. Therefore, there will be some of you here who knew this lovely guy. Sorry, I don't know the circumstances of his demise.

There's a bit more English info on their FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/THECUTLERBARBER/?fref=nf&pnref=story

Best regards,

Stubby
 

One many of you may know, Mark Tartano passed away last night, 9th April, with a blood infection.

 

Mark ran the Pirate's Cove for several years and more recently was managing Tawan's Bar and Bistro off Chan Klan Road. I don't know any details regarding the funeral yet.

 

One of the nicest guys I've met here, rest in peace big man.

A very polite large fellow that has been running Taiwan's for several years? A very pleasant man and a good cook too. RIP Mark.

13 hours ago, Ulysses G. said:

A very polite large fellow that has been running Taiwan's for several years?

That's him. Far too young to go.

10 hours ago, naboo said:

That's him. Far too young to go.

Yes indeed. He seemed like he had a lot going for him. 

Reading through this thread I'm struck by how relatively young most of these people were. Much much younger than the average life expectancies of their home nations. Hmmm

It has been reported that Dave2 has passed away. I did not know him well, but he seemed like a good guy and his posts were always positive and informative and full of fun photos. I'm pretty sure that he loved his life in the Land of Smiles.

 

RIP guy!

Say its not so !!!  If so he will be missed by many.   He and his photos were a huge part of this forum.  If there is any mire information on this, please post.

RIP Dave2

Sad news RIP Dave2

Dave2 was a TV star.  RIP 

David (aka Dave2) will be missed very much. Such a modest, goodhearted guy. Always caring for the cats in the neigbourhood. RIP.

On 5/29/2017 at 1:03 PM, music065 said:

Reading through this thread I'm struck by how relatively young most of these people were. Much much younger than the average life expectancies of their home nations. Hmmm

Very few of my pals have survived 70 in CM, and now poor old Dave2 has joined the died before 70 crew.

I'll miss having a beer in LK and in MoonMuang Soi 1/2 with him.

Be seeing you soon Dave (but hopefully not too soon).

I echo MaejoMTB i too will miss having a few beers with him, especially his wit, his honesty and direct approach. I always enjoyed his company!

What was his nationality ?

English

Dennis Brown passed away a few days ago - cremation tomorrow at a temple in San Kamphaeng. Sorry, but I don't have the details.

Denis was known as The Stickman to some because he was the manufacturer and distributor of the Burmese  Army Trekking stick seen in many places around Chiang Mai and the North. Others may remember him from The Escape bar days where he was a regular customer. He was also the guy that kept Chiang Mai supplied with baked beans and other vital supplies that he brought from Malaysia. He was also a regular at the Hash, with the nickname Two and  a Half Fingers, for obvious reasons to those that knew him. A well-liked, affable character he will be sadly missed. RIP.

6 hours ago, Chiengmaijoe said:

Dennis Brown passed away a few days ago - cremation tomorrow at a temple in San Kamphaeng. Sorry, but I don't have the details.

Denis was known as The Stickman to some because he was the manufacturer and distributor of the Burmese  Army Trekking stick seen in many places around Chiang Mai and the North. Others may remember him from The Escape bar days where he was a regular customer. He was also the guy that kept Chiang Mai supplied with baked beans and other vital supplies that he brought from Malaysia. He was also a regular at the Hash, with the nickname Two and  a Half Fingers, for obvious reasons to those that knew him. A well-liked, affable character he will be sadly missed. RIP.

I have one of those Burmese /Colonial walking canes .Bought it at the UN Irish bar .They are in 2 sections and screw together at the middle .I use it on my annual visit to Savannakhet ,,Lao .The place is full of aggressive Soi dogs ,and i do a lot of walking .The cane has a T shaped handle .Has a brass name tag with the inscription >>Sir Jeffrey, .British East India ,1941 Hillpig -Smyth <<

Sad news again.   Did not see much of him in the past few years and now another of the CM old timers has gone.  RIP Dennis and give my best to all the old gang.   Not many of the 30 year ago gang left anymore.  RIP & Godspeed.

I don't think I knew Dennis Brown, but I remember stories about him in the old days and I certainly remember those sticks. Didn't he have a farang woman for his partner?

Dennis Brown was a well known Chiangmai identity and also respected.Sad to hear of his demise.RIP old friend.

I'm very sad to hear the passing of Dennis Brown, I knew him very well. We both had a lot in common from the East End of London and he really was a character as well as being a very nice person. As mentioned previously, he used to do runs to Malaysia in his trusty Mazda pick up, drove all the way there and back, bring things that were unobtainable in Chiang Mai at the time, baked beans, HP sauce, Oxo cubes, he actually used to supply Rimping with certain goods in their early days. He is married and his wife and son live in Malaysia, though he spent more of his time in Chiang Mai. His son Josh, has now become an airline pilot. Dennis created something from nothing with the Burmese Army trekking stick and the story of Piggy that went along with it. Later he added such things as a garlic press and nutcracker made from teak all with a story relating back to Piggy and his relatives. He was often seen in the early days with another deceased resident John Ball, together they would do the rounds of Chiang Mai and the north re-stocking sticks that were on consignment. Dennis was one of the founder members of the darts clubs that used to be played in Chiang Mai, first with The Escape and then a couple of other places. Despite only having two and half fingers Denis could tackle just about anything and was the most obliging person. I am very sad to hear of his passing, he was a good friend to me in Chiang Mai though we lost contact during the last few years. May I ask if anyone knows the reason for his death? I know he developed diabetes and sometimes worked his fingers to the bone. RIP Dennis wherever you go and who knows, maybe your fingers will be restored. Very sad news indeed.

I also knew Dennis for most of the 25 years I have been coming and going to CM. He was a pillar of the expat community, a real character, known and liked by everyone. I used to enjoy a beer or two with him occasionally  and when I had my pub I had his trekking sticks and lemon juicers etc on consignment. The trekking sticks were his invention, but the lovely story that went with it was, If I remember correctly, from the imagination of an American friend of his. 

 

For those unfamiliar with this fine product and others that Dennis produced, take look at this video:-

 

 Dennis: I never did find those tongs you said you consigned to me...and later charged me for, ....but that, and you, were all part of my Thailand experience! Whether you go to a Great Synagogue, Great Temple or are just Resting for the first time in many a long year, may that Rest be In Peace. 

8 hours ago, millwall_fan said:

I also knew Dennis for most of the 25 years I have been coming and going to CM. He was a pillar of the expat community, a real character, known and liked by everyone. I used to enjoy a beer or two with him occasionally  and when I had my pub I had his trekking sticks and lemon juicers etc on consignment. The trekking sticks were his invention, but the lovely story that went with it was, If I remember correctly, from the imagination of an American friend of his. 

 

For those unfamiliar with this fine product and others that Dennis produced, take look at this video:-

 

 Dennis: I never did find those tongs you said you consigned to me...and later charged me for, ....but that, and you, were all part of my Thailand experience! Whether you go to a Great Synagogue, Great Temple or are just Resting for the first time in many a long year, may that Rest be In Peace. 

He looks much older and thinner in that video ,compared to the photo above.

I do recognize him, but did not know him well. 

On 7/28/2017 at 9:17 PM, anto said:

He looks much older and thinner in that video ,compared to the photo above.

The photo above is Dave2 and the video is Denny Brown.  Two different people.  

 

 

I thought Dave 2 was the user name for Denny brown .They have the same bushy eyebrows .