Thailand Page 16/Mal & Lee

Dedicated to a wonderful Mother Jean Noble 31/5/1929 - 20/8/2007 - may we never take our mothers for granted. - Goodbye Mum

As you can see from the preceding five pages, entitled “peeling back the layers” I have tried to combine pictures with words, to give some insight into the peoples lives. We welcome any feedback, criticism or suggestions, via email or Guestbook on this format.... Thank you for the feedback. One may be asking how do people get our email address – its simple we reply to most people in our guestbook, they then have our email :-) We do not put an email address in our web site because we cannot cope with the spam it generates. Under normal circumstances we could, however, we are usually on such pathetically low bandwidth connections, that we must do all we can to reduce the download.

Wednesday November 4th Buayai – suburb of Cocksuann
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C
Terrain: Road Conditions: Overnight Accommodation: $0.00. Standard, Stay with family.

Congratulations to Barack Obama and Commiserations to John McCain as the worlds most powerful tribe (The USA) elects it's leader. How will it affect the worlds other tribes? One can only hope it is positive.

My host tribe is experiencing turmoil in it's southern provinces as the “separatists” appear to be increasing their campaign of terror, death and destruction. A few days ago another 70 injured and several killed; so damn sad that we humans have to resort to this.

I also feel compelled to write about a little girl called “Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow”, aged 13 who was “stoned to death” (See Link) by fifty “men”[sic] after being raped by three “men” [sic]. Savagery knows no bounds..... The report in the link, is by Amnesty International.

“Cocksuann” continues its normal daily life here in the northeast of Thailand. The morning ritual of “making merit” goes on unabated.....

As is seen in this picture at the front of our house. The Buddhist belief system is strong here... You can just see to the left of picture, the people donating food for the main meal of the day...

We get to see some beautifully coloured snakes, lizards, birds, butterfly's, etc... This one is no exception.. It's as large as a mans hand!

Congratulations to Lee's Mum on the opening of her first business.... We know you had guessed all along :-)

Within one hour of opening we had our first customer, that's Lee's Mum washing her feet... She is 43 weeks into her pregnancy and feeling lots of aches and pains..

Now we can only hope it is a success and will provide a modest income... Catchya Later....

As we are “peeling back the layers” I thought I would let you know a few dynamics.... Here is the price list for the Massages.....

Minimum price is for a 1 hour massage, many customers opt for 1 & ½ or 2 hours. So in your money it is £2.20, $US3.50 €2.70 $AUD5.20 per hour for the Traditional.

£4.50 - $US7.20 - €5.65 - $AUD11.00 for an Oil Massage, Slightly more for sport as the “creams” are expensive. Something similar to “Tiger Balm” is made locally at B50 per small jar.....

So far, 6 Female Staff have registered their interest in working here and she has two Male Masseur's on call.

She will not become a millionaire, even in Thai Baht. However it is her only “qualification” - she studied and gained a proficiency certificate – (not as easy as it sounds) Hence, (unlike some), will register her business and stay 100% legal. Many local people have commented on how nice and clean her shop is, compared with others in town. We hope this gives an edge.

Her “staff” are paid commission only and get 50% of the massage price (Standard in the industry) They also get to keep 100% of any “tip” they get, which is entirely dependent on the quality of the Massage. Thai people are acutely aware how proficient the Masseuse/Masseur is.

The Sign above 1.5m x 0.75m cost 300 Baht (AUD $12.90) The Sign (Banner) outside the shop (Picture, two above) 3.5 Metres x 1.5 Metres cost 500 Baht (AUD $21.50)... The outside “banner” should last about one year in the “elements” before it needs replacing.

Oh.. by the way, our first customer – pictured above – had her first child - a baby Boy at 21:00 (9pm) 9/11/09. Both Mother and child are fine :-)

Wednesday November 12th Buayai – suburb of Cocksuann
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C
Terrain: Road Conditions: Overnight Accommodation: $0.00. Standard, Stay with family.

We took our niece Ying (Panyada – Full name) for a birthday treat, with her Mum & Friends... Ying is the one with the pink scarf.

A bit of sad news, “The Little Dog” pictured elsewhere (Page 15 – bottom of page) was hit by a car, she was badly injured but survived. We took some dry food to her owners, to help with her “recuperation”.. Her puppies still take milk, but, can eat on their own. The dry food is a puppy formula, which we hope will take pressure of “mum” whilst she recovers... We offered veterinary intervention, however, this was declined, partly due to a lack of faith in the local vet. (Justifiable or not? - I don't know) We can only hope that the injury is not life threatening. Will let you know her condition. UPDATE:(She can walk (limp) today 16th Nov – but is far from fully recovered).

We have started a “promotion” to get Lee's Mum started in her business. For one month all “traditional” massages will be 89 Baht for the first hour. ($AUD4.00 £1.75 - $US2.60 - €2.05) – every fifth massage is free.

We have also booked “Radio Adds” With the local radio station... 1 Month at the “head of each hour”. The cost of this is 1000 Baht (AUD$45.00 £19.90 - US$28.60 - €23.00) TOTAL FOR THE MONTH. All we can do is wait and see if it “kick starts” the business. - we certainly hope so. A fair start to the business with a modest return is already evident. The Radio adds cannot start until after the funeral of HM the Kings, sister's mourning is complete – out of respect for the Royal Family. So the adds will start in the next couple of days. Catchya Later...

Monday November 17th Buayai – suburb of Cocksuann
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C
Terrain: Road Conditions: Overnight Accommodation: $0.00. Standard, Stay with family.

Both of us are itching to get back on the bike... We feel the job is done as best we can here... Laos looks favourite as our next destination.

Burma (Myanmar) is possible, but, for us, unethical. The “Junta” that is in power, is ruthless and murderous. So many people imprisoned and dead at their hands, it defies belief, that the international community does absolutely nothing to stop it. If we visit, some of our meagre funds, will eventually line the pockets of these “unaccountable” despots.

One example – “The generals have made it a crime to own a computer modem, send e-mail, sign on to the Internet or invite a foreigner into a private home”. Source New York Times Not being able to visit or stay with a family is, at best, UNBELIEVABLE.

This brave lady is one of MANY that have been dealt with SO harshly by this regime, unless the world acts her life is now over, unless you regard living in one of Burma's prisons “life”..... (Caution link may disturb)

Thin Thin Aye (aka) Mie Mie is aged 35.She has been detained in Insein Prison (Caution disturbing content) without charge since October. She has now been sentenced to 65 years in Prison... The link shows what she now faces....

In the 1989 uprising she was just a high school student and she joined the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) and Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS). Because of her political activities she was detained for 5 months in 1989. She was arrested and sentenced to 7 years in 1996 for participating in protests. She was released in 2001.

In 2005 she became one of the 88 generation student leaders. She was among those women leaders who led the August protest march which drew about 2000 people when most of the leaders of 88 generation students arrested.

Some of my Grandchildren are half Burmese, by ethnicity, Hence I am (fortunately) inextricably linked to Burma.

Thursday November 20th Buayai – suburb of Cocksuann
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C
Terrain: Road Conditions: Overnight Accommodation: $0.00. Standard, Stay with family.

A man died today, those of you following this diary, “know” him.. You know him from his picture and from the short story I was able to glean from our fleeting encounter....

The Man is the one aged 81 yrs, with “Testicular Cancer”, What I was able to write at the time, is here

What I did not say in my diary (at the time of writing) was, we took many pictures of him, with his family. I had some of the pictures “blown up” and framed in a wooden frame. We donated the pictures – within a few days of taking them – to his family. It would have been beyond their means to do that themselves. I am so glad we made the effort, it means a lot to me/us and a lot to them.

We are sure they will now be important family treasures.... Apart from the one's framed, we gave “prints” of the other photo's to the family. It was a privilege for us to have met him. We wish him well for whatever may lie “beyond”.... He will be cremated in the village of Baan Don Khun Ta, on Saturday, November 22nd 2008 in a traditional Buddhist ceremony.................

Today Saturday we went to the cremation to pay our respects. We met the entire family, who were in tears over our pictures. They became the last pictures to be taken of him and are being reproduced, with the donations the villagers gave at the funeral... We were astounded at both the welcome and the significance those pictures have become.......... A VERY emotional day.

Sunday November 23rd Buayai – suburb of Cocksuann
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C
Terrain: Road Conditions: Overnight Accommodation: $0.00. Standard, Stay with family.

Back to our reality, during the week Aan – our odd job man, painted our sign.......

His wife – watching – is now a Masseuse at Lee's mums shop.. She has wide experience and we are lucky to get her services

The house sits on top of a “pond” and is mosquito heaven. Aan, Yowe and the kids are literally “peppered” with mosquito bites.. I asked him does it bother him? He said, “we just have to live with it”. “This home has been given to us rent free, by a friend – we cannot afford better”.... Lost for words...

A huge annual market has descended on the town of Buayai.... so we went to explore... One of the more unusual things on offer is “Cockroaches”

All manner of insects are being bought and eaten, they are a real delicacy here, I can handle grasshoppers (small top left)... everything else I just pass.... (no not out ☺) The tray just up from the Cockroaches is small fried “Crispy Frog”.. The black beetle, bottom left, is very smelly.... Da Da - Da Da - Da Da.. No comment.... Catchya Later........

Friday November 28th Buayai – suburb of Cocksuann
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded °C
Terrain: Road Conditions: Overnight Accommodation: $0.00. Standard, Stay with family.

OUR CYCLING IS TO RE-START WITHIN TWO DAYS..... We are excited and sad... Sad to leave Lee's Grandma, whom I have also grown very fond. She has moderate to severe Alzheimer's so may not miss us for long... She was VERY tearful as we were packing our bikes today, so is aware we must move on. At first the packing was overwhelming.... But as the day wore on we fought over what to take, leave and give away. It was dark when we eventually finished this tiresome job.

Her name is Em, she is 7yrs old, the daughter of our odd job man..... A little terror :-) and one we are both very attached to.... We have decided to not take our main tent...

Our job here is done to the best of both our ability and resources. The Traditional Massage service is functioning well and has earned around 10,000 Baht ($AUD435.00 $US285 in the first three weeks this is a larger salary than most ordinary labourers would earn in a month. However, it is not NET. Hopefully as it becomes established and with careful management, it will grow to afford a comfortable living for Lee's family. We certainly hope so.

The troubles in Thailand are getting quite serious, as no doubt those interested in this part of the world already know. It is clear the issues are now coming to a head... To date there has been some loss of life. There is currently greater potential for even more loss of life. It is a pointless exercise extrapolating my/our views here, as it is very well covered (From both sides) on the internet. Regardless of which side you feel is right, it is dividing this nation... We can only hope for a speedy resolution.