THIS MONTH
Events
Opening Night At Finnegan's Pub
Tony and Eye Meechai after the birth of their daughter Athima “Aimee” - congratulations!
Jimmy (holding cue) got a great send off before his move from Hua Hin to Khorat, and seen pictured in Johnnie walkers with former pool team mates Steve, Joe, Johnnie and mike.
Fon with Martin on 21st birthday (Hers not his)
Crash Helmets Editorial
Another statistic was added to the road accident death toll in Hua Hin last month, but when such accidents are both preventable and involve a friend, the numbers become meaningless; any preventable death should be prevented, and in this case, although the accident itself involved another road user (a tuk tuk and it's driver) and probably could not have been avoided, the consequent injury sustained by the motorcycle rider could have been if he had been wearing a crash helmet, as he died from severe damage to his brain. The law in Thailand says that both a rider and passenger must wear a crash helmet, and the police do their best by having random checks and fines for those not complying, but it is an impossible job when so many people, Thai and foreigners, openly flout this safety issue. If you come off a bike and break your arm, it heals. The same for a leg or another appendage, but if you break your head the chances are that you don't make it, or if you do your life will be radically altered due to the injuries suffered. The law says ‘Wear a crash helmet.' Common sense says ‘Wear a crash helmet.' Experienced bikers say ‘Wear a crash helmet.' You wouldn't do it in your own country so why do it here? It's not cool and hip to ride without one; it's stupid and illegal.
Hua Hin Online Community
We are sad to start this month's online community summary with an announcement of the loss of Bjorn Linblad who suffered a fatal motorcycle accident last month. He was well liked around town and will be missed by all who knew him. This really does emphasize the point of road safety in Hua Hin, it is not like driving in the west and there is no excuse for not wearing a crash helmet on a bike just because the police don't patrol after dark. Be safe out there, do not drink and drive and look after yourselves, going anywhere on two wheels in Thailand is taking your life in your own hands, make sure you have the appropriate clothing and your wits about you – many of the other drivers don't.
We welcome the Appletree guesthouse to our accommodation section; they offer budget rooms in two locations in central Hua Hin. High season is still going strong with many places fully booked, the popularity of Hua Hin grows every year and this one is no exception.
The property market is slowly recovering with people being advised to take a lease option on land and houses now however there is still a lot of confusion though as to how these leases will work out when renewal time approaches. It still seems to be risky following the company route but who knows how it will pan out in the coming year. There were a number of requests and recommendations for building services, swimming pools and the like.
HHAD has set the date for its annual party, this year it will be held on Saturday March 10th from 4pm on at Johnny Walkers. There will be a live band, Surf FM DJ's, food and the usual festivities so get yourself down there for a good time.
There were a number of Thai culture discussions as misunderstandings were cleared and people share their experiences online. It is a great place for long-term residents to get together and air their views and to offer an insight to life in Hua Hin to those considering the move.
There was the usual number or requests for services, items and advice from all manner of things ranging from computer software to car repair. As always the “ask the expats” section proves to be the winner again.
HHAD forums are the definitive online message boards and discussions for the area with over 2,200 members. There are sections for finding and booking accommodation, seeking out bargains, and exploring the local area and beyond. There is also a nightlife section for the night owls, a restaurant and feeding guide along with an online meeting point for visa runners and clubs. The ever popular “Ask the expats” section is great for quickly getting the answers you need from the people that live here.
Logon and find out what is happening in Hua Hin:
There is also a blog for the Hua Hin area at:
New Director of Sales & Marketing
Marriott Resorts & Spas, Thailand is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Atilla Erda as Director of Sales & Marketing responsible for overseeing all sales and marketing activities for Marriott Resorts & Spas, Bangkok-Hua Hin-Pattaya.
Mr. Erda has a wide portfolio of experience in Sales and Marketing positions from various hotels include Santiburi Group and Le Meridien. Prior to this position, he was Vice President Sales & Marketing of The Unique Collection of Hotels & Resorts.
Mr. Erda's role will be to drive sales revenue, establish a reputation for 3 resorts as top leisure destination resorts and increase the profile of the resorts both regionally and nationally. He will play a major role in spearheading and steering the resorts in all markets.
Speaking of his new appointment, Mr. Erda said “Marriott is one of the best hotel and resort chains in world. In 2006, Marriott Thailand gained many awards such as the Best Hotel Chain Award from Fox Vakanties; Thailand Tourism Awards, the Best 100 Resorts in the World and First Hotel in Asia from TUI Germany , Best Luxury Hotel and Best Brunch in Bangkok awards by Lifestyle & Travel magazine.
Our 3 properties already been well recognized by the industry and the international travelers, I believe that we have great resources team for corporate, MICE, leisure sectors. I am very confident that with these great tools we will achieve our goals and exceed the expectations from both guests and owner”, added Mr. Erda.
Tribute to “Vito”
I had to put a dog to sleep today. His name for the past 3 weeks has been Vito. Before that, who knows? Did he even have a name? Did any human, even when he was a pup, ever hold him in enough regard to bestow a moniker on him?
Vito, as I said, had only been with us at HHDRC for 3 weeks when he died. He came from Cha Am. Cheryl, who has one of the café/bars reported him to us. We arrived at her café and she took us to meet him on the roadside where he resided. My first comments were not complimentary. I made some remark about him being an alien, not a dog. You might forgive me for that remark, had you seen him. No hair, covered in scabs & dry scales, one ear swollen with haemotoma, unable to stand properly through malnutrition and a problem with his hind leg, gummy, rheumy eyes and the mouth of a denture wearer sans dentures. And thin, so thin you could see every bone and overstretched tendon.
In the process of catching him, I got my first glimpse of Vito's personality. He wasn't able physically to escape us, in fact he didn't really try. He did, however, bite me (not as bad as it sounds, remember he was sans dentures, but did have gums of steel) and protest the indignity of being lifted bodily and bundled into a car, most vociferously. Joy, the volunteer who aided in Vito's capture or rescue (depending if you see it from his point of view or ours) gave him his name. Vito means “life”. Even for such an old dog, it was truly an apt name. I have never seen such life or spark in such a dilapidated shell.
After a visit to the vets where he was looked at, blood was taken to test for heartworm, fleas & lice were nuked (not quick enough – they had a field day on me and gave me a rash on my torso for a week), his ear was bandaged and he was treated for mange, he came to his new home – a cage in my garden. This may sound torture for a free-spirited soi dog like Vito, but it was the one thing he seemed truly happy about. He didn't need to move too much, he lay on soft, warm quilts, he got meals twice a day, water just by standing and turning his head and he got out to the toilet morning and night. He also got medication that started to cure his mange, treat his gummy eyes and generally deal with some of his problems.
Two weeks passed, where Vito and I came to an understanding. This was simple, as soon as I learnt it. He didn't object to the food, or the water. He was quite happy with the comfy quilts, changed once a day, or more if he had an accident. He would happily take the medicine, if hidden in a lump of dog meat. He would submit to having his eyes cleaned and medicated. He was partial to his nightly dog chews. The one thing that he would not tolerate was being taken out of his cage for his twice daily toileting. This was an indignity that a dog of his stature should not have to endure. And he chastised me for it. Many times, my nose got caught in a gummy “embrace”. I eventually learnt – how slow witted we humans are – to hold him in a way that his gaping maw could not connect with any part of my body. And, to simplify matters, I learnt that if I left his cage door open after I had remade his bed, he would hoist himself into it as soon as his bladder and bowels were empty. No toddle round the garden for him!
On Monday, he had trouble standing to eat and toilet himself and seemed uncomfortable, so I subjected him to another vet visit. By the time he reached the vet's, his legs were in spasm. He was inspected and more blood drawn. It didn't look good. That night, he had his first seizure. From that time, he never stood or went out of his cage again.
Lab results the next day proved he had renal failure, as well as a problem with his platelets and anaemia. The vet asked me what I wanted to do. Between us we decided on a plan of trying to treat him for 5 days, and if that didn't work, putting him to sleep. Caring for him became a little more difficult. Food needed to be held under his mouth, water syringed into it. He needed to be rolled off his bedding when wet and rolled back on to clean dry bedding. He tolerated this with more good grace than he had many previous experiences. His leg muscles were constantly in spasm and he must have been in pain, but he rarely grumbled.
He was, however, going downhill fast. By Thursday, when the vet visited on an unrelated matter, we agreed that the time had come to let Vito go. The vet made an appointment to come the next morning and I spent the rest of the day knowing it was Vito's last. His last dog chew, his last evening meal, his last syringe of water, his last bedding change, his last breakfast.
The actual act was more traumatic than any similar act I have witnessed. Firstly, a vein could not be found. He was in such a bad state that his veins had collapsed. Then, he refused to go. He didn't struggle outwardly, but he held on for about five minutes. I've never seen that before. Vito had such a monumental will and spirit that he held out against the euthanizing drug for 5 minutes. Of course, finally, he succumbed.
So why a tribute to an ugly, bad-tempered old soi dog that I only knew for 3 weeks? A dog that never showed me the first sign of gratitude for taking care of him? No pacifist, Vito, no licker of hands or wagger of tail, he! Why am I crying, yet again, while writing this? Tears obscuring my vision and dropping onto my keyboard? For two reasons, both intertwined:
Vito, to me, was the personification of a Thai soi dog. Not pretty, tough, physical problems, but independent, with a spirit that would fight on and on. A dog that would definitely bite the hand that fed if that hand tried to force him into an action he didn't want to do.
Vito also to paraphrase Dylan Thomas did “not go gentle into that good night”. He “rage(d), rage(d) against the dying of the light.” Vito, you were a true character. Rest in peace, old man, you deserve it. And, let me tell you, you earned the undying respect of one farang woman. Goodbye.
Dawn Poole – Manager, Hua Hin Dog Rescue Centre (HHDRC)
As well as treating and caring for dogs like Vito, Dawn and her team at HHDRC have many lovely dogs they have rescued who would make perfect companions; please contact them if you are interested in giving one (or more) of them a good home.
HHDRC is a non-profit making charitable organisation who do valuable work in trying to improve the lot of dogs in Hua Hin, which also means safer and cleaner streets for us humans! They rely on donations to keep up this work, and are about to embark on a neuter and release programme to try and permanently deal with the surplus of street dogs in Hua Hin.
Help of any kind is hugely appreciated, whether it is a willing helper, a pile of bones or a wad of cash!
Please contact them on +66 (0) 81 9814406, or visit the website www.dogrescuecenter.org to find out more.
RIP Björn Lindblad
Björn died on Friday 9th February at 5 am as a result of severe head injuries suffered in a motorbike accident on the night of Wednesday 7th February, on his way home from his weekly pool match. He was cremated in Bangkok on Wednesday 14th February and his ashes will be scattered on rivers in Thailand and Sweden as per his wishes. He was born on 22nd June 1959 in Landskrona , Sweden . Björn worked for many years as the chief engineer on cruise ships out of Hong Kong, and in the last few years had spent several months every year in Thailand, and had made Hua Hin his home, He leaves behind two sons, Eric (in Sweden) and Carl (in Hua Hin), as well as his three sisters and other family in Sweden, and many, many friends all over the world.
Björn had a passion for music, particularly blues and rock, and was an accomplished pool player, seen regularly touting his cue around town. He played most recently for the Butterfly Rock team, and prior to that for the Johnnie Walker team. He had a very dry wit, and was a very intelligent man, who was working towards his long-term aim of being able to retire permanently in Thailand . All those who knew him are shocked at losing him at such a young age (48), and in such a way. The Observer wishes to pass on their sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
RIP Matt Brady
We regret to inform everyone that Matt died on Tuesday 30th January of heart failure, at the age of 66. He had been living in Isaan with his wife for the last year, but previously lived in Hua Hin for several years, and was a well liked, convivial Scotsman, who loved his golf and his wee dram of whisky. While in Hua Hin he was a keen golfer, and also played pool every week for the Johnnie Walker team, and he played in the same spirit as he lived his life - have fun and enjoy it - and his infectious laugh and company will be sadly missed.
RIP Matt.
What are they on?
Well, St. Patrick's Day is here again, and you are wondering what all the fuss is about. Yes, it is partly about the patron saint of Ireland who supposedly banished snakes from the Emerald Isle, and if you have dealt with some Irish businessmen you may want to get St. Patrick to make a return trip, but that's another story, and the celebration is about more than that.
Generally Ireland is a warm and welcoming country with a depth of history that both binds the Irish people together and tears them apart. History is something you cannot avoid in Ireland , it is steeped in it, and when there, you are aware of it unlike any other place. Famine, invasion and occupation offer bleak memories and realities, but the Irish have maintained a will to party that is legendary and infectious.
You may think St. Patrick's Day has religious overtones; dream on, this is a celebration of being Irish and holding out a hand to allow the rest of the world to be Irish and party like mad for one day.
Until about 15-20 years ago Ireland struggled to keep its head above financial water, politics were largely influenced by history and the Catholic Church had influence throughout Irish society that the Vatican City would have been envious of.
Then a shining beacon was lit, on a white charger came the EU, and Ireland grasped the opportunity with both eager hands, to their credit transforming the country from 19th century to 21st century in a breathtaking 10-15 year period. For an extended time it was the most successful country in Europe and indeed for a period the most successful in the world.
This potted outline will give you an idea of the people and also an explanation why you can wander from historic castle to European communications hub in a rural landscape right off a picture postcard.
If you have been to Ireland then you might understand the myth and romance that is Ireland , the rest of you should take a visit if you have the opportunity.
Here are some pointers:
MUSIC: For a country of only about 5 million people, Ireland is extremely rich in music (and literary) tradition. Most of you ‘rockers' will have heard of U2 and maybe Van Morrison, Rory Gallagher, Sinead O'Conner or Thin Lizzy, but how about the Undertones, Boomtown Rats or Stiff Little Fingers. And did you know Elvis Costello and Boy George have Irish roots not to mention a possible Irish ancestry for John Lydon (Johnny Rotten). The list is endless.
This brings us around to more traditional fare and an excellent crossover band is The Pogues, if you have experienced them live then you have a memory that you will take to your grave, including those of the manic green clad audience going ape.
Many pubs in Ireland will have traditional Irish music sessions, which may be organised or merely impromptu sessions that start up as people arrive with instruments (everything from spoons to tin whistles to harps). If you are a little wary of ‘traditional' music don't worry, traditional Irish music extends from mournful unaccompanied vocal laments to raucous 100 mph jigs and reels that will have everyone jumping around like leprechauns on a hot tin roof.
The general advice on seeking traditional music is ask around where ever you are visiting.
Large rock bands, both Irish and international, tend to play mainly in Dublin at one of the larger venues like the Point Theatre or the RDS. But watch out for festivals, which pop up each year, and one of the favourite venues for these is Slane Castle .
WRITING: If you decide to delve into Irish writing it could take you some considerable time, but the advice is build up to tackling the iconic Ulysses by James Joyce. You can breeze through War and Peace or other icons of literature like Kafka or Kerouac but prepare yourself before attempting Ulysses. Beyond Joyce there is the flamboyant Oscar Wilde, a larger than life character in reality, and a great writer; just for starters try ‘Portrait of Dorian Gray'. Then of course there is the wonderful Sean O'Casey, try ‘Juno and the Paycock'. Or John Millington Synge, his best-known work is ‘Playboy of the Western World'. If you like your Irish to be real ‘Oyrish' with a soft brogue then try some Flann O'Brien. Perhaps you like your writing to be penned by a hard drinking rebel, then brace yourself, grab your pint and delve into a Brendan Behan book, try ‘Borstal Boy'.
If you sang and laughed your way through the movie ‘The Commitments' then you might appreciate the writing of Roddy Doyle. Finally if your soul yearns for poetry then try Nobel Prize winner (1995) Seamus Heaney.
These are just for starters, but they will give you an insight into the Irish way of looking at the world, often self-parodying and irreverent.
LOCATION: A simple fact is that Ireland has roughly 5 million people, with over one million living in Dublin , with Cork and Galway accounting for another sizable slab of the population. Therefore there are large areas of Ireland lightly scattered with people.
The scenery in places can be truly awesome but choose the time of year you visit for good weather (playing the stock market might be easier). There is a reason why Ireland is called the Emerald Isle, because there is grass and abundant foliage everywhere, and what do they need, yes rain, lots of it. If you meet an Irish farmer who happens to comment ‘tis a grand soft day' be warned they have a different view of the world from a tourist.
Unlike some international cities the centre of Dublin is small and can be easily walked around on foot. In Dublin the focus is on the two main streets either side of the river Liffey; they are O'Connell Street and the more upmarket Grafton Street , which leads on to St. Stephens Green. Within easy reach of these two streets are numerous pubs, restaurants, shops, cafes etc too numerous to mention. The other Irish cities are equally accessible and have their own individual character.
The advice is keep your eyes open as a little unobtrusive bar or restaurant may be a little gem, but easily overlooked.
TRAVEL: If we presume you are in Europe then the cheapest way to get to Ireland is by Ryanair, yet another Irish success story. Check out their web site, there are some ridiculously cheap prices.
If you wish to tour Ireland there are many car hire companies at the airport. Note: The airport is easy to navigate so don't worry.
Privately run coaches run every half hour from in front of the airport for Dublin city centre and other destinations. More extensive national bus services covering the country run from Busaras in the city centre.
There are two main train stations in Dublin but the rail network is not extensive. Taxis also run from outside the airport.
SPORT: Gaelic sports like Hurling and Irish football is fanatically followed and are relatively easy to follow, so if you get the opportunity watch some.
Unfortunately the current Irish soccer team is not much to talk about but the Irish are keen soccer fans. The weekend flights to Manchester , Liverpool, London and Glasgow are popular.
If you get a chance to see the Irish rugby team play you will be watching one of the best teams in the world, and entertaining to watch. They are probably currently ranked as number two to France in the Northern Hemisphere.
Horseracing and breeding is a huge industry in Ireland and there are tracks all over the country. Also scattered around Ireland are greyhound racing tracks, if you have never been to a greyhound racing event then do try. It is quicker and more explosive than horse racing with races finishing in around 30 seconds depending on the distance run. And like horse racing it is the build up and the analysis of the form that prepares you for the explosive conclusion.
If you like golf and have not visited Ireland , then you haven't lived yet. Some of the best courses in the world are located in Ireland . Portmarnock, Druids Glen, K Club and Mount Juliet are amongst the best known.
If you like fishing, Ireland has an abundance of lake, stream and sea fishing.
OTHER INFO: Note this important information. A pint is a pint. A half of a pint is a glass. Thus you can ask for a pint of Guinness or a glass of Guinness. If the barman pours half of your pint and leaves it on the bar top, often with other half poured pints, this is good. It needs to settle while being poured. Guinness often doesn't travel very well but the Irish bars in Cha Am and Hua Hin seem to provide a good pint, so you are safe to enjoy yourself.
To keep to the theme of the day you are also allowed to consume other Irish drinks, for example the fine Jameson Irish whiskey. And to finish your St. Patrick's Day an Irish coffee or if you are in Ireland a hot toddy using of course Irish Whiskey.
LOCALS: Warning! The Irish are full of it! Blarney , bull whatever you like to call it. Talk is a national pass-time and the Irish wit can be dry. Don't be offended if they wind you up a little, it's all good-natured fun.
You can pretty much talk about anything in an Irish pub and someone will have an opinion and a detailed explanation for sorting things out, sport, the price of a pint, you know, the important things in life.
FINAL: Always the best advice before you visit anywhere, get a guidebook. And when you get there, talk to the locals.
A piece of advice that says a lot about the Irish character was given by a local Irish sage; ‘ Ireland is the best country in the world to live in..... as long as you get away from it often!'
And to answer the obvious question, why are Irish people living in Thailand ? Well, they may live here, but they will also still be living in Ireland in their hearts or heads. Nobody ever truly leaves Ireland ; it becomes ingrained into your DNA. That is why you can find Irish communities throughout the world celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Later you will find weary revellers reminiscing about their personal slice of Ireland over a beer in a bar thousands of kilometres from this almost mythical land.
So let us finish by saying happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone, because you are all welcome to celebrate. Find an Irish bar, pull up a seat, grab a pint, put on a silly green hat and red beard and be Irish for the day. If you crack it, you will understand what it is like to be a member of the largest little country in the world.
If you don't drink then just go along for the ride; think green, and hopefully after reading this you might understand why that guy in the corner with the silly green hat is going to sleep over his pint with a little tear in the corner of his eye.
Slainté
A Cider a Day...
Fresh on reports of health benefits from drinking cider comes the launch of a delicious new cider product here in Thailand .
Gaymer's Original Cider is the latest addition to the product line of Pattaya's own Apple Honey Company, Ltd. Apple Honey Company has been importing cider into Thailand for the past three years -- and watching the Kingdom's taste for the refreshing beverage grow. Their newest product, Gaymer's Original Cider, joins three of England 's most popular ciders that the company already distributes. The good news for those in Hua Hin is that Halex Beer and Beverage Co, Ltd are agents for Apple Honey here!
Already, the favourite drink of England 's West Country is taking a bite out of the lagers and cheap whiskey that rule Thailand .
“Cider has become a fashionable drink,” observes Selina Lovett from Apple Honey. “Not only is it competing with lager, it is challenging wine since it goes so well with food. And the light, refreshing taste is perfect for the heat of Thailand .”
According to Selina, her newest product, Gaymers Original, with its smooth, mild and fruity taste, is ideal for the novice cider drinker. The relative sweetness and drinkability is due to the fact that the cider is made exclusively from the juice of dessert apples, as opposed to the stronger and more sour apples that are referred to as “cider apples.” Gaymers is meant to be poured over ice, as Selina did for me, an American whose closest experimentation with (what he thought was) cider happened to be a can of “Mott's Apple Juice”.
Now I can see why the English, and others, love it so much. Light, fizzy and delicious, with succulent fruit flavours, you could not find a more effective thirst-quencher on a hot Thai afternoon. If the heat were blazing, I would unquestionably choose a Gaymers cider over a bottle of lager.
Nothing unusual about that, according to Selina, “Lager drinkers who've tried it tell me, ‘I can't believe this is cider! Where can I get a case?'”
Knowing that the Editor wouldn't appreciate me staggering back to the Observer office drunk, I unfortunately missed the opportunity to try Apple Honey's other ciders. But I will have ample opportunity to do so in the future, since the ciders are stocked in many bars throughout Hua Hin and other major tourist centres of Thailand .
There is Blackthorn Cider, an ice-cold filtered cider and the most popular seller in England . This is a cider with a history: Blackthorn tree branches used to be burnt as incense to ward off evil spirits!
Gaymers Olde English is a medium dry cider made with a unique blend of dessert and cider apples, giving it a sweeter taste.
The importation of the clean and crispy “Natch” Strong Dry Cider is, pardon the expression, somewhat of a “coup” for Selina. This cider was never sold outside of a 70-mile radius of its hometown of Shepton Mallet, Somerset , in the West Country, England 's most famed cider region. That is until Selina managed to import it here. Thailand remains the only location outside of Somerset where this cider can be purchased.
Cider in England and worldwide is currently experiencing a resurgence in demand as people discover that the amber liquid served over ice makes a delicious, refreshing and economical alternative to wine, especially in its ability to complement food.
But the benefits don't stop there, as health researchers say that every toast made to cider truly is a toast to your good health.
It turns out that cider's golden colour and scrumptious taste are caused by natural chemicals called phenolics, which turn out to be powerful antioxidants and disease-fighters. These phenolics are present in abundance in cider and protect against many illnesses, among them stroke, heart attacks and cancer.
It has been determined that certain ciders have more of the compounds than others. Cider apples, for example, have more phenolics than dessert apples. But researchers at the University of Glasgow are attempting to gain a comprehensive understanding by performing medical tests on their more-than-willing volunteers who've just drunk a pint of cider.
“It appears that drinking a glass of cider is a great way for people to naturally increase the amount of phenolics in their diet,” says Dr. Serena Marks, leader of the Glasgow study.
That's welcome news for Hua Hin expats ... how often is it that you find out one of our most pleasurable activities is actually good for you?
But if you're too lazy to take a jog to the bar, Halex Beer & Beverage Co, Ltd will be pleased to serve you. Located on 222/2 Petkasem Road , Hua Hin, they are well known in Hua Hin, and have an excellent selection of alcoholic beverages including healthy cider by the case or smaller amounts. They can be reached by telephone (032- 513922) or fax (032 -513022) and will also deliver. If you are nearer to Pattaya you can visit the Apple Honey store at 6/28 Moo 9, Sukhumvit Road (next to the Pattaya Trader office and the Universe Gym), or you can arrange delivery through their website: ciderthailand.com.
A GOOD NIGHT OUT!
I was recently surprised to find a great place to take my family who were visiting Hua Hin from England . You may already know about the rides available at the Elephant Camp near Wat Itisukato just 5 minutes out of town, but do you know about the Hidden Hua Hin Khantoke Chang Show?
This traditional Outdoor Dinner Theatre Spectacle takes place every night in front of a specially built hardwood al fresco restaurant that offers 5 star service for up to 165 guests. It is all hidden away beyond the main elephant ride area and has only been operating for the last 2 months. I was extremely surprised and delighted with the standard of service, quality of food, extensive drinks menu, and extremely colourful and interesting theatre presentation, complete with 60 performers and 15 Elephants!
The whole night out is a great experience for those new to Thailand , such as a group of holiday visitors, a family or company party, or a treat for new clients, and can also accommodate special functions such as weddings.
We were collected from my home (12 km out of town) by a very smart aircon minibus with a uniformed driver and a charming, beautifully costumed hostess and then delivered direct to the reception area at sunset. Once issued with our admission tokens we then walked up the steps of the specially built mounting pavilion and were conveyed the final five minutes journey to the restaurant by elephant. (You can walk if preferred.) Our mahouts (elephant drivers) led us through their traditional bamboo and rattan bungalow village following an avenue dramatically lighted by fire torches before arriving at the reception pavilion next to the restaurant. From this area in the valley below the temple the only thing that could be heard was the gentle tinkle of the lotus pond waterfall and soft Thai traditional music that wafted into the forested hills beyond.
Once again we were greeted by our hostess, and removed our shoes before entering the restaurant sala, newly constructed with wide polished hardwood floors and beams. On entering we were greeted by our Lan Na hosts in a ceremony to renew their wedding vows, and poured lustral water over their hands as their attendants played traditional music on the flute, saw oo, piin and khlong.
The Lan Na or ‘million fields' kingdom existed in Northern Thailand in the 13th century A.D. and worked together with the Sukothai kingdom in combating the early invasions by the Burmese armies before the Ayuthaya period and later Tai kingdoms, which finally led to the establishment of modern Thailand ruled by the present Chakri Dynasty from Bangkok. The whole night's entertainment, serving methods and restaurant decor are based on this memorable part of Thai historical tradition.
Upon entering into the main part of the softly lighted restaurant we found it decorated with various antique artefacts and weavings from the Lan Na period, and discovered three different types of seating areas. Two of these (Seating about 50 patrons each) are furnished with the traditional Northern Thai triangular pillows and bolsters, so you can either recline at a low table like the ancient feudal lords, or choose the sunken areas where you can both recline and sit up with your legs beneath a table. There are also regular table settings for 65, and 10 more seats at the ornately decorated bar.
The drinks menu is quite extensive and reasonably priced, Singha, Heineken, Corona and other beers cost 70 baht, and there is a wide range of spirits, cocktails, Martini specialities, liqueurs, soft drinks and fruit smoothies and an extensive range of international wines that can either be bought by the glass, or by the bottle ranging from 700-3000 baht each.
The drinks bill is the only thing not included in the admission price.
Costumed waitresses approach on their knees bearing food and drinks on woven serving baskets in the Khantoke Chiang Mai traditional style of service, and dinnerware is traditional red earthenware complete with coconut wood serving spoons, though modern cutlery is also available. There are 7 set menus that rotate daily, and each is usually served in 3 courses, which include several appetizers such as Som Tam, pork spring rolls, fried dried chicken, Crab and Roti, then followed by generous main courses which include rice and a spread of about 5 main Thai dishes such as Larb Khung, Chicken Massaman, Stir -fried Sea Bass, Nam Prik Ong, Chicken and Cashew nuts, Tom Yam Khung, various Panang Curries and Pork collations.
Large groups can order special menus by previous arrangement if required.
Just as you are becoming gently relaxed and replete, shortly before eight p.m., the show begins with jungle lights that expose ruins reminiscent of ancient Northern Thailand and the dramatic fable of an early Lan Na kingdom begins to unfold just in front of the restaurant area. A host of traditionally costumed attendants gather and perform various dances to enthrone the Lan Na king before he requests the capture and bathing of a white elephant in celebration. This is a colourful pageant that includes about 60 performers and 15 decorated elephants, including one baby elephant that does handstands and acrobatics (without any obvious coaching) directly in front of your dining area. Also built in to the show is a rare display of Northern Sabadchai drumming. The elephant spirit house is also visited as part of the production, and this is in fact a real spirit house, where prayers are offered daily by the devout elephant drivers and attendants.
Khun Somboon, the general manager of the show, told me it is a specially constructed and very significant building, partly roofed by rare sacred buffalo hide from Surin, and dedicated to the ancestral father and guru of an ancient people originating from a small district near modern Mongolia , who are believed to be the first elephant trainers of antiquity.
A dramatic battle between Elephants and soldiers ensues with the opposing Burmese army and involves bouts of MuayThai boxing, and Krabi Krabong martial arts dating back 500 years, with acrobatic fighting using both quarterstaffs and fierce double sword duels (dap song meu), before order is finally restored to the kingdom, as 40 female dancers (recruited from local Hua Hin schools and colleges) parade through the restaurant strewing flower petals over the guests.
As the show draws to its end you are served with carved fresh fruits of several varieties, and as one of my visitors did, you may take the opportunity to hand-feed the chief elephant with some of your ample dessert, as it bows its head and trunk right into the restaurant area before its return home from the theatre arena.
Following a few more drinks in pleasant surroundings your polite driver and minibus escorts you directly from the Sala Thai restaurant to your home.
All of this hour-long pageant takes place right in front of your comfortable dining table and includes high quality surround sound (often unusual at some Thai entertainments) with a clear voice-over in both Thai and English at appropriate moments. The show ranges from gently beautiful dancing to exciting elephant chases and martial battle, is extremely well rehearsed, and certainly as good, if not better than anything you would see at the Rose Garden or the Surin Elephant Roundup, -And it's here in Hua Hin at a total cost of the whole package- transport, meal and show, -for 1500 baht!!!
If you are only visiting the area for a short while, and will not have a chance to visit many different parts of Thailand , you really should try this for a great night out. My guests were still raving about it at 1 am in the morning!
Long term residents might also enjoy this spectacular show right on their doorstep and also consider the proud employment it brings to 40 or so beautiful local girls, as well as to many elephants, who if not working here could end up like those I have seen begging for food with their mahouts in the middle of the North-eastern cities of Isaan, as most of their work has now been mechanised, and their natural habitats now deforested.
There were once 100,000 elephants working in Thailand, but sadly now there are only about 3-4000 left, and many of these are unemployed or turned off into the jungle to squabble over food with forest villagers.
As yet the audiences for this event have ranged from only 10 to 30 guests a night due to limited advertising, and thus performers and staff have regularly outnumbered their guests, but it's a secret that will soon be well known.
Why not support a local industry in Hua Hin that has been professionally choreographed and rehearsed, creates great family entertainment, and has developed a GREAT NIGHT OUT.
Bookings can be made by calling 081-008 5566, 081-327 6651, 032-547 718, or 089-521 1993; or emailed to: sales@khantoke-changshow.com. Enjoy something really different for a change!
By Groundling
CASTAWAY
Dolphin Island has been put on high alert for the arrival of our next willing castaway, the first woman brave enough to subject herself to 3 years alone on the remote isle. How will she cope, and how will she while away the time? Read on...
Once a year you are allowed 1 visitor, for 1 day only. In the 3 years you can choose 1 family member (or close friend), 1 living famous person, and 1 historical figure (alive for their visit!).
A) FAMILY/FRIEND: My Mum. It would actually be a toss-up between her & my little boy, as they're the 2 people whom I love most in the world, but the conversation would be better with her and she'd bring a bottle of wine with her.
B) FAMOUS LIVING: Lauren Bacall. Not only is she a screen icon in her own right, she was the wife of one of the best actors of all time, Humphrey Bogart. She also seems like a tough, forthright lady. I'd love to meet her.
C) HISTORICAL FIGURE: The captain of the Marie Celeste. I'd like to find out what happened to the ship's crew. What a story that would be.
2. You can take 5 music CDs with you, but no box sets, compilations or greatest hits. Double/triple albums count as one choice.
(A) Depeche Mode - 101. It's a bit of a cheat, being a concert recording, so not really a compilation. Depeche Mode have been one of my favourite groups since I was growing up in the 80's & this is an excellent album.
(B) Bach – Bach's Adagios. Beautiful, soothing music, which has one of my favourite classical pieces on “Air on the G String”. Does that count as “Bach's Greatest Hits”??
(C) Appetite for Destruction – Guns ‘n' Roses. I love rock music, particularly from the 60's, 70's and 80's and seeing as I'm not allowed to take “Greatest Hits” or compilations (grumble, grumble), this one has many favourite songs on
(D) Hell Freezes Over – The Eagles. Good easy listening. Reminds me of my boyfriend and his band. I can just imagine Dr Dave Soul Monsta (DJ on Surf 102.5FM and fellow moderator on HHAD) cringing as he reads this, which is another good reason to include it!
(E) For Her - Hurricane. Not only do I like the music on this CD very much, but “Hurricane” Thep and Verity, his wife, have been really good friends to my family & HHDRC. Thep has been exceptional since my boyfriend (one of his best friends) died last year. This CD just wins over his new one, as I'm more familiar with this one. Great music and when I play it, it'll remind me of great friends, & of course, Hua Hin!
3. You can take 5 books as well as one religious book (i.e. Bible). A choice can be a ‘Complete Works of...'..
(A) The Power of One – Bryce Courtenay. I love Bryce Courtenay's books & this is such a vivid account of life in South Africa during and after the Second World War. Truly Moving.
(B) Complete works of the Bronte Sisters. Classic books. Love Wuthering Heights & Jane Eyre and would like to actually read some of the others.
(C) Wildlife identification manual relevant to area around Dolphin Island . It would be interesting to identify what's living around me & I'd also like to know what's dangerous & what's harmless.
(D) A book on how to write. Tied in with my goal while I'm on the island
(E) The Stand – Stephen King (unabridged version). Complete fantasy. I am actually a huge fan of Stephen King's, particularly the books that lean more towards fantasy than straight horror. The Stand is a classic story of the end of the world & the final struggle between good & evil. Just a shame there's no “Complete works of Stephen King” – that would keep me going for ages.
4. You can also take 5 movies on DVD (one box set allowed).
(A) One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. My all time favourite movie. Who doesn't hate Nurse Ratched? Wonderful film.
(B) The Breakfast Club. Just love it. I've seen it countless times & never got bored. Reminds me of my teenage crush on Judd Nelson. I'd have given anything to swap with Molly Ringwald in that film when I was 16!
(C) Moulin Rouge. Think the movie is really funny with all its snide references in the musical themes. Love the costumes; love the music, just a fun film
(D) Trainspotting. Again, I think it's a really funny film & I love the soundtrack, especially Iggy Pop's “Lust for Life” and Lou Reed's “Perfect Day”
(E) Auf Wiedersehen Pet (Series 1). Again, hilarious. (I must think I'll need cheering up on the island). Best of British humour.
5. You can take 5 items that will make your stay more enjoyable. Please remember that the Observer is read by all ages when making your choice! Communication devices are not available or practical. Please note boats and ships cannot disembark from the island.
(A) 3 years' supply of dry dog food (can I cheat & take anti heartworm/parasite medicine too?). Need to feed the pet & not sure I'm up to killing for fresh meat. Also, I need the medication to keep the dog free from parasites, to avoid diseases like heartworm, tick fever, blood parasites etc, which can kill & I have no access to a vet.
(B) Fruit & vegetable seeds. I'm not sure I could kill an animal myself, so I might revert to vegetarianism (I was vegetarian for 10 years). Not knowing what's available on the island, I'll try & grow my own (and live on coconuts while they're growing)
(C ) Laptop computer. To do with my goal, I'd like to write a book, maybe non-fiction about my experiences in Thailand, or the dog center. If I can't have the computer, I'd like loads of notepads & pens.
(D) A spade and trowel (can I have both, please?). To plant my seeds & dig the garden.
(E) Photo album with photos. I'd like to be reminded of my loved ones, particularly my little boy, and of good times
6. You are allowed to take one pet with you. Please give details here.
It has to be a dog, but which one? As there would be no access to a vet, a young, healthy one would be best. OK, decision made, I'd take Thong Dee a female dog from the center. She's a lovely natured Thai dog (very short hair, so no grooming) who was with me from a pup and used to sleep on my bed. She's feeling neglected now she's in the center, so I'd take her with me.
7. Please tell us the 3 things or people that you think you would miss the least during your stay.
(A) Critical people. I find some people can be critical of things, without knowing the facts or bothering to find out those facts. Others are critical of my choices in what I do, when they do nothing to help any living being. I just find that very negative – enough said!
(B) Academy Fantasia Pop “stars”. As someone who subscribes to UBC and has “Spark” on for my little boy, quite a bit, I'm sick of seeing them & hearing their pappy, poppy music
(C) Hua Hin “tailors”. I've lived here for 5 years, I dress (much of the time) like a slob and they still accost me as I pass their shops.
8. Finally, you must set yourself an objective to be achieved within your three-year stay, something that you have always wanted to do (within the constraints of being on the island of course!). Any item required will have to be included in your list of five allowed.
As said before, I'd like to try & write a book about my experiences here in Hua Hin. There are so many books about criminals who have ended up in the “Bangkok Hilton” or “bar girl” stories; maybe someone would like to read a different take on life in Thailand. As those that know me can confirm, my life since I've been in Thailand has certainly been eventful. Even if no one reads it, it would be therapeutic for me to be able to write it.
EPILOGUE
Well where do we start? We all know Dawn has a 24 carat heart of gold from the work she puts in trying to remedy the problem of the abandoned dogs around Hua Hin. But what more have we found out about her?
The easiest thing to say is that Dawn cannot easily be pigeonholed! Although some of her selections show her female, sensitive side, choices like Guns'n' Roses and Stephen King are light years away from the stereotypical idea of what women want; we were a little surprised that she didn't pick Beethoven rather than Bach though... Moving on to her movie choices, there does seem to be a slight connection, and maybe we have discovered Dawn's fantasy man in Ewan McGregor who is in both ‘Moulin Rouge' and ‘Trainspotting”.
Certainly there seems to be admiration for strong independent characters, with Lauren Bacall a requested visitor, and many of the choices reflect this too, with the writers, actors and musicians all having ploughed their own furrow regardless of the criticism they get. Maybe Dawn also has a part of that in her make up, or wishes she could be as single-minded as that? The planned book would certainly reveal these things; our suggested titles are “The Wruff Guide To Hua Hin” or “Fleas: My Part In Their Downfall”! All we can say is write the book, it's sure to be a best seller.
Get your applications in quickly if you wish to become a Castaway and join the select band of people who have been chosen to date.
For those wishing to spend three years on Dolphin Island please contact the Observer offices in person or via e-mail to: design@observergroup.net
Silk
One of the things that Thailand has become most famous for is it's production of silk, and the modern day industry owes a big debt of thanks to an American, Jim Thompson, who revitalised the industry in the 1950's. Our feature article explains the process of making silk, the types of Thai silk available and a brief biography of Jim Thompson. We also feature Hua Hin's own Rashnee Thai Silk Village , where the process of making and history of Thai silk can be experienced. The observer is very grateful to the Rashnee Thai Silk Village for providing the details for this article, and for allowing us to take the photos shown.
Silk is a “natural” protein fibre, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from cocoons made by the larvae of the silkworm Bombyx Mori reared in captivity (sericulture). The shimmering appearance for which silk is prized comes from the fibres' triangular prism-like structure, which allows silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles. Silk is also the strongest natural fibre known to man.
“Wild silks” are produced by caterpillars other than the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori). The term “wild” implies that they are not capable of being domesticated and artificially cultivated like Bombyx mori. A variety of wild silks have been known and used in China, India, Vietnam, and Europe from early times, although the scale of production has always been far smaller than that of cultivated silks. Aside from differences in colours and textures, they all differ in one major respect from the domesticated varieties: the cocoons that are gathered in the wild have usually already been damaged by the emerging moth before the cocoons are gathered, and thus the single thread that makes up the cocoon has been torn into shorter lengths. Commercially reared silkworm pupae are killed before the adult moths emerge by dipping them in boiling water or piercing them with a needle, thus allowing the whole cocoon to be unravelled as one continuous thread. This allows a much stronger cloth to be woven from the silk. Wild silks also tend to be more difficult to dye than silk from the cultivated silkworm.
There is some evidence that small quantities of wild silk were already being produced in the Mediterranean area and the Middle East by the time the superior, and stronger, cultivated silk from China began to be imported.
Many different types of silk are produced by a huge variety of different types of insect (other than moth caterpillars), yet none of these have been exploited for commercial purposes, though there is basic research into the structures of such silks, as there is some variation at the molecular level. It is most commonly produced by larvae, and thus largely limited to insects with complete metamorphosis, but in some cases it is produced by adult insects such as web spinners. Silk production is especially common in the Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, and ants), and is sometimes used in nest construction. Other types of arthropod produce silk, most notably various arachnids such as spiders
Silk from Thailand is produced by two types of silkworms: the Bombycidae (cultured silkworms) and Saturniidae (wild silkworms). Due to Thailand 's favourable climate, it is a year-round activity. Silk is mostly made by villagers from the central and northeast parts of the country, primarily on the Korat Plateau, who devote their time after the rice harvest to produce silk. Women traditionally weave silk on hand looms and pass the skill on to their daughters, as weaving is also a sign of maturity and eligibility for marriage. Thai silk generally uses complicated patterns in various colours and styles. Most regions of Thailand have their own typical silks, of which Mud-Mee, Tin Chok and Phrae Wa are considered some of the best.
The silk from Thailand 's caterpillars varies in colour from light gold to very light green. A cocoon is comprised of one thread that is 500-1,500 meters long. A single filament is too thin to use alone so many threads are combined to make a thicker, more practical fibre.
Weavers wash these raw silk threads, bleach them, and then soak them in vats of hot dyes. Afterwards, they wash the silk thread again, stretch it, and put it through a final dying process. When that is finished, they wind the threads onto spools or drums in preparation for weaving using traditional hand operated looms.
Every piece of hand woven Thai silk is a timeless, unique work of textile art from the hands of a rural Thai woman. Since it is artwork produced by a human, it forever carries an imprint of the character, thoughts, emotions, feelings, spirit and life of the weaver. Its imperfection is the heart of its beauty and the proof of its human creator. Machine woven silk is a wider, monotonously “perfect” industrial fabric that can be produced to ISO standards and is more suitable than hand-woven silk for some purposes.
Thai silk is usually soft but has a relatively coarse texture with uneven, slightly knotty threads. This quality makes it extremely suitable for weaving by hand. Thai silk has a magnificent, rich, exotic beauty and, with proper care, can last a century or more. Chinese silk tends to be smooth and satiny. Indian silk tends to be softer but more crinkly and uses richer colours. Italian silk tends to strive for a refined and elegant look but this can easily be accomplished anywhere using mechanized weaving.
Thai Silk has triangular fibres that reflect light like prisms. It also has layers of protein that gives it a natural sheen and makes it lustrous and smooth. Silk is an insect fibre and superior to any animal or plant fibre. Thai silk fibre is strong but lightweight, elastic but supple.
Smooth Thai silk has a shiny, satin-like finish. It's suitable for all purposes, particularly clothing and interior decorating. The “standard” width was formerly about 37 inches (94 centimetres) and is available in 2-ply and sometimes 4-ply.
Rough Thai silk is beautiful but relatively coarse and thick. We say relative because it is still very soft and not very thick. It's highly suitable for curtains and upholstery fabric as well as other interior design applications but it also makes a fantastic fashion fabric currently popular with designers of luxury apparel & bridal gowns. The standard width used to be about 37 inches (94 cm) but is now also available at a standard width of 40 inches. Two-ply rough Thai silk is extremely appropriate for scarves. It's also sometimes called “nubby” Thai silk.
Two-tone iridescent Thai silk is very cool and extremely pleasant to the eyes. Depending on the angle at which it is viewed, the fabric colour changes. This iridescent effect is produced by using two different colours when the cloth is weaved. The different coloured threads are called the warp (vertical thread) and weft (horizontal thread).
‘Striped' Thai silk does not mean “stripes” produced by colour variations as in a normal material design (although this is also possible). This is a weaving technique. It is produced by alternating between smooth Thai silk and rough Thai silk during weaving to produce a physical pattern in the material. This can be used in conjunction with a colour pattern as well. Many patterns are available and “striped Thai silk” may not actually result in “stripes” at all. An infinite variety of designs are possible and you can commission your own.
Dry cleaning seems to be the best way to keep Thai silk in good condition and maintain its original beauty, lustre, and texture. However, there are claims that this will have a bad effect on the silk in the long term. You can also hand wash it in lukewarm water using the mildest soap and experts extol the virtues of LuxFlakes and Woolite. Adding a tablespoonful of clear white vinegar to the final rinse is supposed to be a good tip. Never boil, bleach, wring, crumple or soak your Thai silk for a long period.
After washing it, roll it up in an absorbent towel or other cloth to absorb most of the water - but not tightly! Immediately remove it from the fabric roll and dry it in the shade, preferably where there's a mild breeze, and be sure it's well supported. If water drips from the silk then it's too wet. Iron Thai silk on the inside of the garment while it is still slightly damp. Some persons recommend using only a cool iron with the intent of pressing out wrinkles and not heating the fabric. If the silk is already dry and you are using a warm iron, apply a damp cloth on the outside of your silk fabric and iron through the cloth. Properly cared for Thai silk can easily last a century and be passed on to your children and grandchildren.
The four basic methods for determining true silk are by 1) considering the price; looking carefully at the 2) weave and 3) lustre; and 4) by burning a piece!
A) Pure real silk costs 6-10 times as much as imitation silk made from polyester.
B) Real pure Thai silk weave is completely hand made and the filament is a natural fibre with clearly visible small flaws and joins in the thread along the warp and the weft. Imitation silk made from polyester is a machine-made fabric and has a perfect surface with no flaws or bumps.
C) Lustre also shows whether a fabric is real or imitation. Pure Thai silk is made with one colour for the warp and another colour for the weft. This produces the sheen and lustre of the silk and creates the unique two tones and blends, which change depending on the angle of light. Imitation polyester silk shines white regardless of the angle of the light.
D) If you burn Thai silk (a thread or two is enough) with a flame, it leaves fine ash and smells like burning hair. When you take the flame away it stops burning. If you burn imitation polyester silk with a flame, it drips, burns with a black smoke, and continues to burn after the flame is taken away.
Empress Si Ling Chi of China is credited with discovering silk. While sitting under a mulberry tree in a palace garden having tea, a silkworm's cocoon reportedly fell out of the tree into her cup. While removing it from her tea, she discovered the fine silk filament of the cocoon beginning to unravel.
The Chinese guarded the secret of silk for millenniums by putting to death anyone found guilty of smuggling silkworm eggs, cocoons, or mulberry seeds. Silk became the cloth of emperors and royalty and a great source of wealth. However, about 1900 years ago a Chinese princess who married an Indian prince is reported to have successfully smuggled silkworm eggs out of China in her headdress and to have fed them with the leaves of Indian mulberry trees.
Since then, silk production has spread to other Asian countries and archaeologist have found silk 3,000 years old in the ruins of Baan Chiang, Thailand, which many of them consider the earliest civilization in Southeast Asia. Thais have developed a type of silk that is considered one of the finest fabrics in the world. They use a unique manufacturing process and have unique patterns and colours.
Hand woven Mudmee Thai silk (also know as “ikat”) comes from the northeast of Thailand (called “Isaan”) and comprises 17 provinces situated on the Khorat plateau. The Mekong River borders the whole region on its eastern and northern frontiers with Laos . Its western and southern frontiers are mountain ranges that form the rim of the plateau.
The intricate traditional geometric and zoomorphic motifs of mudmee Thai silk have been handed down for centuries. The designs and patterns in mudmee are created primarily by using various colours in the weft (left to right threads) of the fabric. The people who migrated into the central and Mekhong River Basin area of northeast Thailand from Pakse and Savankhet Laos brought their weaving skills with them. In the 19th century, Thailand 's King Rama V introduced advanced technology that created the foundation of the country's large silk industry.
Mudmee fabric is usually half a solid or two-tone colour and the other half the mudmee pattern.
Thailand 's northeast was not always the arid area that it is today. As recently as 1960, forests were lush and abundant and natural resources for dyes were plentiful. Jim Thomson introduced the permanent chemical dyes that are now so common.
Traditionally, everyday dress was practical and usually quite plain. However, a great deal of time and expense was spent to weave the fabric for weddings, temple ceremonies, funerals, meeting high ranking officials, and spirit appeasing ceremonies, resulting in spectacular quality as well as complex techniques and designs.
Dupion is an interesting textured Thai silk fabric made using a mixture of silk from both long, smooth, white cocoons and short, rough, yellow cocoons. White cocoons are smooth, white and about 60-100 meters long. A yellow cocoon is short, rough, yellow and about 20-30 meters long. However, every cocoon of both types also has three parts that vary in quality and character. The silk threads of the outer part are large, short and more textured filaments. In the next part of the cocoon, the filaments are smoother and longer than the first type but not as fine or expensive as the third type, which is the best.
Jim Thompson (James H. W. Thompson, born March 21, 1906 in Greenville, Delaware) was an American businessman who helped revitalize Thailand 's silk and textile industry in the 1950s and 1960s. A former U.S. military intelligence officer who once worked for the Office of Strategic Services, Thompson mysteriously disappeared after going out for a walk on March 26, 1967.
Thompson was educated at St. Paul 's School and Princeton University . After receiving his architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania , he practiced in New York City with Holden McLaughlin, designing summer homes and a band shell in Rehoboth Beach , Md , despite never passing the NY Architecture Board examination. During the 1930s, he led an active social life and sat on the board of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, all the while becoming more politically active. His increasingly leftist politics put him at odds with his wealthy Republican family, and by 1940 he had abandoned his life in New York for military service, first in the Delaware National Guard and then in the Officer Training Corps of the U.S. Army. During World War II, he was a member of the OSS [Office of Strategic Services, which in 1947 was disbanded in place of the newly formed CIA], and used his fluent French behind enemy lines in France . After V-E Day, he transferred to Ceylon as a paratrooper, and was about to be deployed in Thailand when the Japanese surrendered in 1945. He arrived in Thailand , weeks after V-J Day as the officer in charge of the Bangkok OSS office. He may have been in contact with revolutionaries possibly connected to the 1946 death of King Rama VIII; he was also known to have contact with Pridi Phanomyong, a former Prime Minister forced into exile after a 1949 coup attempt.
After leaving the service in 1946, he returned to Bangkok to live permanently, embarking on a renovation of the Oriental Hotel before founding the Thai Silk Company in 1947. Although he foreswore political activity after 1949, many assume that he was a non-official cover. During the Vietnam War, his closest friend, General Edwin Black, was in charge of USAF operations over Laos and Thailand .
He devoted himself to creating a cottage industry out of hand-woven silk, which had been done for centuries as a household craft in Thailand . Discovering a group of Muslim (Cham) weavers in the Bangkok neighbourhood of Bankrua, Thompson provided hitherto unavailable colourfast dyes, standardized looms, and technical assistance to all who were interested in weaving on a piecework basis. The importance of his work cannot be overstated: besides inventing the bright jewel tones and dramatic colour combinations associated with Thai silk, he lifted thousands of Thailand's poorest and most isolated people out of poverty, making millionaires out of his core group of weavers by giving them shares of the Thai Silk Company, which turned a profit from its first year of operation. His determination to keep his company a cottage-based industry was particularly important for the women who made up the bulk of his work force: by allowing them to work at home, where they could choose their hours and look after their children while weaving, he allowed them to maintain their positions in the household while becoming breadwinners.
It was only after his disappearance that the Thai Silk Company relocated its weaving operations to Khorat, a city near the Laotian border that serves as a base of operations for the Thai Army. Although the Company abandoned home-based weaving in favour of factories in the early 1970s, the Thai Silk Company's Khorat facility resembles a beautifully landscaped campus rather than a factory.
As Thompson was building his company, he was also making strides as a major collector of Southeast Asian art, which at the time was not well known internationally. He built a superb collection of Buddhist and secular art not only from Thailand but Burma , Cambodia and Laos , and frequently travelled to those countries on buying trips. In 1958 he embarked on what was to be the pinnacle of his architectural achievement, a new house to showcase his art. Created from six traditional one-room joinery Thai houses, the Jim Thompson House (completed in 1959) sits on a klong across from Bankrua, where his weavers were located. Most of the houses came from Ayutthaya, but the largest, a weaver's house--now the living room--came from Bankrua. The Jim Thompson House, now a museum, is the second most popular tourist attraction in Bangkok, surpassed only by the Grand Palace in visitor attendance.
Thompson disappeared after going on a walk in the Cameron Highlands in Pahang, Malaysia, on March 26, 1967. He was never found, and there are many theories for his disappearance, many of them pointing to his former days with the OSS.
RASHNEE THAI SILK VILLAGE
Thinking of spending your day in Hua Hin? Then take the time to visit the Thai Silk Village. Just a short walk from the town centre, it offers a golden opportunity to gain knowledge about how Thai Silk is produced. In their re-creation of a northeastern village, you can catch all the activities and different steps involved in the making of Thai Silk. Shop at their outlet for high quality Thai Silk that you may not find in ordinary shops or even have them tailored into beautiful clothes by their expert designers at hand. There is also a coffee shop on hand, serving food and drinks, as well as an extensive gift shop, where you can buy high quality Thai ornaments for market prices.
In addition, there is a branch of Mike & Co Tailors, who can fashion your selected silk into the attire of your choice, as well as other fabrics. They have been established since 1999, with a growing number of outlets in the area. Unlike many other outlets they have their own in-house tailor, and do not send your garments to be made elsewhere. Quality workmanship, high standards and an understanding of the customer's needs are what make them stand out from the rest.
The Rashnee Thai Silk Village and Mike & Co. Tailors are open from 9 am to 9 pm every day, and offers free transportation to and from customers' accommodation in a comfortable minibus – just call 032 531155 - 57 or ask at your hotel. Located on Naebkhehars Road (which runs parallel to the main Phetkasem Road on the sea side) it is well worth a few hours of your time, whether you are a resident or a visitor.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Rashnee Thai Silk Village / Mike & Co. Tailors,
18/1 Naebkhehars Road, Hua Hin, Prachuap Kiri Khan, Thailand 77110.
Tel. 032 531155-7 Fax. 032 531154
www.thaisilkvillagehuahin.com www.mikecompany.com
E-mail: mike@thaisilkvillagehuahin.com mike@mikecompany.com
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