Cambodia - Siem Reap

My Take On the Classic Angkor Wat Photo

I have been occupied re cataloging some of my 30,970 photographs lately and the process has brought back many memories of past travels.  One such trip was our journey three years ago to Cambodia.  Since I have also been stirring up some people on Facebook and on some of these Blogs regarding current events and personal responsibility as well as accountability, I will revert back to a blog or two about travels to exotic locales - for the time being.

In August 2007, I needed to exit Thailand and then reenter to obtain a Visa to remain in Thailand until I was scheduled to depart for work in Vietnam in early September.  Taking advantage of this requirement along with a long time desire to see Angkor Wat, I decided that rather than take a bus across the border to Cambodia, enter Cambodia for all of 15 minutes and then returning to Thailand, we would visit Angkor Wat.

Travel to Siem Reap, the city that is the hub for Angkor Wat tourism, was not difficult.  From our home in Pattaya we drove to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport about 1-1/2 hours away.  At BKK we took a morning flight on Bangkok Airways directly to Siem Reap - about 70 minutes flight time.  We arrived in Siem Reap around 10:00 A.M. 

We did not have a Visa prior to entering Cambodia so we, like most of the other passengers, stood in line at the Siem Reap Airport to obtain a "VOA" (Visa on Arrival).  I had researched ahead of time so we had the required passport photographs and US dollars ($20 each) to obtain the visas.  There was no problem with getting a VOA, and when we return to Cambodia we will do the same again.

I had used the Internet to make reservations at a hotel in Siem Reap so we grabbed one of the many freelance cabs waiting at the airport.  The vehicle was in fairly good shape.  The driver spoke English rather well and he seemed to be a safe driver.  These three qualities were sufficient for me to inquire about hiring him for transportation during our entire stay.  It turned out that he could not be hired but he knew of a good guide and driver that he could recommend.  Once again I relied upon my and Duang's intuition and accepted the taxi driver's recommendation.  This is contrary to what guide books recommend for tourists, using freelance transportation and taking recommendations of locals, but Duang and I are "travelers".  Using our intuition we rely heavily local experts rather than foreigners for suggestions and recommendations to enjoy their city.

Our Cambodian Guide

After settling into our room - dumping out two carry-on bags and using the bathroom, we went downstairs to wait for our "guide" and "driver".  After 15 minutes, as promised by the taxi driver, our guide and driver arrived.  Our guide was a young man who spoke excellent English and was a government licensed guide.  To be a licensed guide a person must demonstrate an extensive knowledge of the temples and sites in the Siem Reap area.  I strongly recommend hiring a guide.  There are so many temples, ruins, and history in this area that to just to start to develop an appreciation let alone an understanding of Angkor Wat and other local ruins requires the assistance of a knowledgeable guide.

Our guide came with a vehicle and a driver.  The vehicle was in good shape and most importantly - it had a very good functioning air-conditioner.  Siem Reap is always hot and humid. Having a car with an operating air conditioner for refuge from the sun, heat, and rain is well worth the cost. Knowing what you are looking at as you travel from point to point is a bonus.  Not having to watch out for ox carts, cattle, tourists, motorbikes, cars, trucks, and pedestrians while trying to read a map as you drive is a sanity saver.  Being able to have someone take you to sights and scenes that meet your identified interests makes a guide's services invaluable.

I believe that you can tour Angkor Wat on bicycle or motorbike on your own.  The area where the temple and ruins are situated is about 14 miles by 12 miles - 168 square miles!  I always recommend that people do not rent and drive a motorbike here in Southeast Asia - it is just too dangerous.  If you were to be involved in an accident, matters are unduly complicated by the fact that you are a foreigner - unfamiliar with the language, "rules", customs and practises of the local area.

Siem Reap is a boom town.  Hotels and restaurants seem to be opening everyday.   After the nightmare of the Khmer Rouge and subsequent Cambodian Civil War ceased fighting in 1998.  Angkor Wat and the Siem Reap had been the scene of fighting. As we flew into the Siem Reap Airport low over the flooded rice paddies glistening in the bright August sun, I could see remnants of bomb craters scattered all over the countryside.  Now that Cambodia is stabilized and a magnet once again for tourism, many hotels and restaurants are being built.  There are also some renown cooking schools, many of them French affiliated, located in Siem Reap.  The schools provide training for the Cambodians and support the large international hotels in the area.  The result is the availability of fine and sophisticated international dining in a locale that is somewhat primitive in infrastructure.

The streets and roads of Siem Reap are crowded with all kinds of vehicles with a heavy smattering of pedestrians.  There is the energy, excitement, and noise of a boom town which adds to the over all ambiance of the area.  We drove through town and headed out to Angkor Wat on the afternoon of our first day.  Just outside of the entrance to Angkor Wat we stopped to obtain passes for the area.  To tour or visit the temples and ruins you need to possess a pass. You wear your pass on your clothing  so that it can be readily checked by authorities and security guards.  A one day pass is $20 USD.  A three day pass costs $40 each. A one week pass is $60 US dollars.  You need a passport size photograph and US dollars to obtain a pass.  I was able to withdraw US dollars from my bank account in California using an ATM machine in Siem Reap - Cambodia has changed  and changed rapidly in the past 12 years!  I do not know why anyone would visit Angkor Wat for just a day other than to be able to claim "I was there!"  At a minimum I recommend three days to tour the ruins.  Five to seven days is not unreasonable and most likely would be easier on your body.  We spent three days and with all the climbing, heat, and humidity, we were exhausted as well as sore at the conclusion of our trip to the ruins.

Children Playing At Angkor Wat - Sandstone Causeway Is To the Right

The first stop was the Angkor Wat Temple.  It was magnificent even with parts of it covered in scaffolding and tarps.  The temple as well as all the others in the area are built from sandstone.  Sandstone is easy to carve but does not weather well.  The temples were built from 800 A.D. to 1400 A.D. and have been subject to the ravages of the jungle, the environment, competing religions, wars, some well intentioned but technically misguided restorations attempts and now hordes of tourists.  Many of the ruins are in danger of disappearing into mounds of rubble in the near future.  International efforts to correct previous restoration attempts and to slow the effects of tourism and weather on the sites are continually underway.

Khmer Worker At Entrance to Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is surrounded by a man made moat.  We walked across a large sandstone causeway to enter the temple.  The combination of the multi tiered temple, out lying structures and large moat surrounding the temple has been interpreted as being the recreation of the Hindu universe.  The central temple represents Mt Meru, the home of Lord Brahma, with the moat representing the cosmic oceans.

We entered through the main entrance and continued along the causeway towards the central temple.  Inside of the walled area, two libraries flank each side of the walkway.  Past the libraries are identical pools flanking the walkway. Balance is a strong theme in the architecture of Angkor Wat.  There is a symmetry along the main axis of the site. The symmetry adds a sense of order and balance that one would expect or at least hopes would exist in the universe.  The scale of the temple is massive.  Contemplating the resources and commitment required to create such a wonder gives an hint at the power and glory of the Khmer Kings of the Angkorian Period.

A Nun Peers Around A Bas-Relief Column

Angkor Wat and Surroundings From Above

Hindu Diety Vishnu Inside of Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is believed to have been constructed as a funerary temple for King Suryavarman II who had unified the Khmer people and spread Khmer influence over Burma, Malaysia, and Thailand.  King Suryavarman II was devoted to the Hindu Deity Vishnu.  He dedicated Angkor Wat to Vishnu.

The bas-reliefs throughout Angkor Wat depict many scenes from the Hindu epics, "Mahabharata" and "Ramayana".  There are many "Apsara" (heavenly nymphs, celestrial maidens).  The Apsaras were very proficient at dancing and today a very graceful style of dancing in Cambodia is referred to as "Apsara Dancing".  Despite the efforts of the Khmer Rouge during their reign to wipe out Apsara dancing, the art has been revived and is now flourishing.  Unlike their ancient cousins, today's Apsara dancers are not bare breasted - or at least none of the dancers that we found during our visit to Cambodia.

Angkor Wat Apsara Bas-Relief

Bas-Relief - An Apsara

Angkor Wat Bas-Relief

Visiting Angkor Wat is physically challenging.  In addition to the sun, heat, and humidity, accessing the ruins involves climbing many heights.  Access to the higher portions of temples and ruins is made by climbing wood stairs but mostly by climbing up the narrow and extremely steep original stone steps.  The Khmer believed that the upper reaches of their temples represented heaven and since attaining heaven is difficult for man, reaching the upper portions of their temples was consciously made difficult as a reminder to mankind.  Having attained the upper reaches of the temples I can attest to the difficulty and value attained through the struggle.

Angkor Wat Courtyard Viewed From Above

After touring Angkor Wat all afternoon, we returned to our hotel to refresh ourselves and rest prior to going out for dinner.  Based upon the recommendation of our guide we went to a restaurant that in addition to a large international buffet had a cultural show.  The food was excellent and more importantly the entertainment was fantastic.  Performers played traditional Cambodian music and traditional dances.  After viewing so many Apsara dancers carved out of stone, it was a welcomed change to finally view some Apsara dancers and dancing in the flesh.

A Khmer Musician During Cultural Show

A Khmer Classical Dancer Performing

An Apsara Dancer

 

 

Photographs Have Been Added

Elementary School Dancer - Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival

Twelve photographs have been added to my photograph gallery, "Isaan Go-Go Girls"

http://www.hale-worldphotography.com/People/Isaan-Go-Go-Girls/8185157_q4YxR#980822099_6heGK

Lao Loum Dancer At Local Celebration In Isaan Region of Thailand

WTF - Why Not?

Sometimes events, seemingly distant and disconnected, converge and cause a burst of creativity.  I believe this is happening today.

Yesterday afternoon when Duang's son returned home, we learned of an auto accident at the intersection of the road outside of our development and Highway 216, "The Ring Road" - 2 minutes walk from our home.  This is where I had my auto accident in May two days before I was returning to America.

Duang was very curious about yesterday's accident so we walked down the street to investigate.  A car and a pick-up truck had collided.  There were no Police in sight or had there ever been any Police in sight.  Often on the Internet you will read about some one's relationship status as "It's complicated"  Well here in Thailand dealing with Police can also be described as "It's complicated".  Most Thais, given a choice, prefer to not involve the Police on most matters.  For matters that they can not resolve amongst themselves, Thais will use the office and services of the "Village Headman" to resolve.  In regards to auto accidents that do not involve serious personal injuries, most Thais avoid involving the Police.  All vehicles in Thailand must have "Property Damage" insurance coverage.  The certificate of insurance coverage is one of the documents requested at most Police checkpoints and roadblocks.  Since property damage is covered by insurance, the liability for an accident is sorted out by the accident participants and their insurance agents.

When we arrived at yesterday's accident scene, one vehicle partially blocked the entrance to our road.  The other vehicle was being hooked up to a tow truck a little ways from the first vehicle and on the side of the Ring Road.  In no time at all Duang had determined first hand what had happened - direct interrogation of one of the victims.  I have often written about there are no secrets here in Isaan and yesterday was no exception to my many observations and experiences to that fact.  The pick up truck that contained a one year old girl, her brother about 5 years old, her grandmother, and her uncle was going straight on the Ring Road when the car pulled out in front of them from our road.

The driver of the car had admitted his responsibility for the accident and had called his insurance agent.  The insurance agent arrived with the tow truck and had taken down the pertinent information from both parties.  There were no apparent injuries which simplified matters.  In Thailand the guilty party is responsible for the medical bills of the innocent parties.  It is left to the parties to work out the medical costs and compensation for any "pain and suffering" amongst themselves.  If they can not work it out, they get lawyers and eventually go to court.  If someone can not pay their financial responsibilities as determined by a Judge, they go to jail.

Duang befriended the family that had been in the pick up truck - the grandmother was Lao Loum and lives in Kumphawapi, the town near Duang's home village of Tahsang Village - this made the grandmother almost like family I guess.  I am being facetious but perhaps not too much.  Here in Isaan there is a strong sense of community.  A person's family extends far beyond your immediate family.  The community that you belong to extends beyond your neighborhood. The grandmother's daughter, the children's mother, lived about 12 miles from our home.  Duang offered to take them home so that the baby would be more comfortable.  I went along with Duang, them, and Duang's son.  He did the driving because I was not familiar with the area.  Taking directions as you drive along a road is always difficult.  I have learned the Thai words for go, straight, right, left, and stop.  However this woman was Lao Loum and spoke Lao - a completely different set of words!  After going to the water company based upon directions given by my Step-son's girlfriend in Lao as translated by Duang into a combination of Thai and English, I was not going to be volunteering to drive like that any time soon!

As I wrote the responsible person has to pay the medical bills of the accident innocent victims.  This is terrifying to an American.  I asked Duang about getting insurance to cover medical liability and she said it was not possible.  However this is Thailand and not America.  Expats use the terminology "TIT" - "This is Thailand".  There seems to be some self regulating limits on medical bills including "pain and suffering".  If a Thai were to accidentally kill another Thai in an accident the blood money is roughly 100,000 to 200,000 Baht ($3,000 to $6,000 US dollars).  Doctors visits are around $12 USD and often include prescription medicine.  More importantly, the Thai people have a completely different attitude as well as perspective regarding accidents.  Thai people, in general, do not involve lawyers when there is an accident.  They only involve  lawyers if they can not come to an agreement amongst themselves first.  The courts are truly the "courts of last resort".

I know of what I write - I know from personal experience.  Two days before my flight back to the United States, I caused and accident at the same location - the junction of our road and the Ring Road.  I pulled in front of an oncoming motorbike.  I did not see the oncoming motorbike.  Duang yelled out a warning and I gunned the engine but was unable to clear the intersection.  The motorbike hit our truck broadside just behind the passenger cab.  Fortunately there was only the motorbike driver, a young man, and no passengers such as a toddler which is a common practice here.  I immediately stop the truck on the side of the road so as to not block traffic.  Duang and I assessed the damage.  The young man was hurting but did not seem that he was injured - just a couple of minor scrapes and a sore abdomen.  His motorbike had a damaged front end and could not be operated.  Our truck was operable with a dent in the side, a damaged running board, and a couple of holes in the paneling.  Duang, Peelawat and I were uninjured.  This was the first accident that I had been involved in.  Being so and the fact that I was in Thailand, I was at a loss as to how to handle it.  The young man did not want to involve the Police.  I realized that I was responsible for the accident - I had cut him off.  I asked Duang to handle the details as I gave her the insurance papers.  Our agent came with the tow truck, interviewed us and the young man, filled out some forms, and hauled away the damaged motorbike.  The young man's mother arrived and there were some discussions on how to resolve the matter.  We took the young man to the Thai Military Hospital about three blocks from our home.  We stayed with him while he was checked out.  He left the hospital with some Tylenol, antibiotics, and a couple of gauze bandages on his scrapes.  Since he had medical coverage from his job, we did not have to pay any charges at the Military Hospital.

From the hospital we drove the young man to his home.  After ensuring that he was settled in his home we gave him about $6 USD for lunch.  Duang then arranged for her daughter's motorbike to be brought out from Tahsang Village for the young man to use until his motorbike was repaired.  Duang called twice a day for the next week to check on the boy's condition.  Everything seemed to be under control given the circumstances.  The Police were not going to be involved.  Lawyers were not going to be involved.  We were going to take care of the man's medical bills and "take care of him" fairly.

I left as scheduled back to America.  Before leaving, I had a discussion with Duang regarding settling the accident.  Here in Isaan, falang, foreigners, as perceived as being "rich".  As much as many expats do not like being considered as being "rich" or "wealthy", we, even those of us who are retired, are wealthier than most of the Isaan people.  There are some tensions and resentments between some foreigners and some Lao Loum people over these perceptions.  At many places, foreigners will be charged a higher price than Thais for the same product, admission, or service.  I was concerned that the young man might try to take advantage of the fact that I was responsible and a foreigner.  I told Duang that I knew that I would end up having to pay more than a Thai in the same set of circumstances but I wanted to be treated fairly.  I wanted to be respected and not taken advantage of.  Based upon the cost of blood money for killing some one and a pretty good idea of how much money the young man made a month at his job, I set up a budget for Duang to settle the accident.

Over the course of my month in America, Duang kept me advised of the negotiations to resolve the accident.  From everything being under control, matter deteriorated to the point that Duang was accused of having a rich husband who could afford to pay a great deal of money.  Duang told them that I was not like the other falangs and I did not have a lot of money.  The boy's father who is a Policeman in the large city south of here got involved in the discussions.  This was not a good sign.  From what I understand Duang told them that if they thought that they could get more money from us, they could get a lawyer and we would get a lawyer.  I am certain that she kept many details from me in order not to upset me or distract me from my duties in America.  Eventually the negotiations were relocated to her home village of Tahsang Village involving the Village Headman, and the local Policeman who resides in the village.  From what I understand from Duang, the Village Headman and Policeman attested to her assertion that I was not like other falang and that I had a "good heart".  From our many visits to Tahsang Village and participating in celebrations as well as merit making rituals, I know both the Headman and Policeman well.  Having a "Good Heart" in Isaan is very important.  It is about your personality and behavior.  It has nothing to do with your cardiac health.  People who are "good heart" are considered to be "nice people" and are respected for their behavior as well as kindness.  It is taken very seriously in the Lao Loum culture.

Apparently after confirming with third parties that I was indeed a "good heart" person, the young man and his family were able to come to agreement with Duang - an agreement that met their needs and satisfied our needs as well.  This is another important aspect of Isaan culture - agreements need or at at least should be "good for me, good for you".

I asked Duang about getting some kind of paper to formalize the agreement and she said that it would not be necessary.  To close out the matter, Duang hosted a Bai Sii ritual for the young man.  The Bai Sii ceremony is an Animist ritual that involves the making of offerings to spirits, and tieing of cotton strings around a person's wrist.  The cotton strings prevent the 32 internal spirits from escaping the body.  The 32 spirits are necessary to ensure good health, wealth, and luck for the individual.  Since the young man had suffered the trauma of the accident, it was necessary to perform a Bai Sii ceremony to restore the spirit's balance and harmony within the young man.  At the end of the ritual there was a party with beer, whiskey, food, and music.  Apparently the ritual and party served as documenting the fact that we had all come to an agreement and the matter was officially closed.

Interestingly the young man's father had asked Duang at the end of the ritual if I was happy with the amount of money that we paid.  Once again the need for "Good for me.  Good for you" was a concern.  Since Duang had accomplished the resolution for the budget that I had given her, I was satisfied.  I was happy to have it resolved.  I was satisfied to have been "respected".  I was pleased to have met and concluded my responsibilities - all thanks to my wife.

Last week on Facebook I notified my friends about a blog I had written related to dealing with governments - specifically the Royal Thai Police and the Embassy of Brunei with a veiled comparison to dealing with the US Consulate in Bangkok. In a follow on comment I noted that the US Immigration process was not as simple or easy as we assume or expect it to be. One of my friends wrote the comment ... "Is anything in life as simple or as easy as we assume or expect that it should be?"

I know.  I know.  But I am an optimist and worse yet - an idealist.

Most people see things the way that they are and don't ask "Why?"   I dream of things the way that they should be and ask "What the @#$% - Why not?"  I make no apologies to Robert F. Kennedy or more correctly to George Bernard Shaw for hijacking the sense of his saying and "making it my own".

My accident and the accident that we saw yesterday were handled simply and directly by the people.  The people responsible for causing the accident took responsibility for the damages that they caused and held themselves accountable.  The victims were realistic in their expectations for compensation.  There was need to involve outsiders such as Police or Lawyers to complicate a process that did not need to become complicated.  People of "good heart" held themselves responsible and accountable to come to a final agreement that was "good for me, good for you".

Here in Isaan, you are primarily responsible for solving your own problems.  You are empowered to solve your own problems.  You are expected to solve your own problems.

Here in Isaan things are simpler - you can by a house in 45 minutes, if you have the cash, without needing the services of a real estate agent or lawyer.  The two parties go to the land office sign some papers, pay a small transfer fee, and exchange the keys.

Living here in Isaan, my dreams are reality - on some days.  It is on those days and thinking of those days that encourage me to remain an optimist as well as an idealist.

I see things as they are here and wonder why not else where?  Why not every where?

Latest Photo Gallery Available

A Scene from the Ramakien Carved In Wax During Night Procession on Asanha Puja Day

My latest photo gallery is now available for viewing at the link :

http://www.hale-worldphotography.com/Thailand/Isaan/Ubon-Ratchathani-Candle/13453783_MYrRh#979354529_GAWrZ

University Dancer Awaiting Start of Night Procession on Khao Phansa Day

Etiquette and Manners - How and Why They Matter

Peelawat Gives A Wai to the Shaman Who Has Treated His Foot

Being retired provides with me a great amount of time to do the things that I like to do.  I also have a great amount of time to think about many widely varied subjects.

Writing a blog and socializing on Facebook provides me with focus as well as motivation to explore different aspects of life.

Living overseas totally immersed a culture which is very different from the previous 46 years of my life experience stimulates me to be a better observer of human activities and interactions.  These observations give me the opportunity to share with others what a different part of the world is like from their part of the world.

My life long interest in photography is encouraged by the opportunities to document the culture, people, and sights of far away and exotic lands.  These lands are far from my origins in Groton, Connecticut.

I consider myself to be fortunate, not special because I was not raised that way, but fortunate to have all these opportunities and experiences. My mother often reminded me as a child that I was not special and deserving of treatment or consideration different than any one else.  Now that I look back upon that, that much reinforced lesson was a very valuable life lesson.  It was a lesson that lead to a happy and contented life.

Lately I have written blogs that now that I look back at them have a great deal of commentary related to Thai, more specifically Lao Loum, etiquette and manners.  Recently, I have had personal correspondence with a classmate of 43 years ago related to my 18 month old Lao Loum grandson's development of manners.  She has been teaching for four years in Florida and has lamented the lack of etiquette as well as manners of her elementary school students.  This does not surprise me for I have seen a lack of etiquette and manners in many children as well as some adults during my visits to the USA.

According to Wikipedia, not Wikileaks, "Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary norms within a society, social class, or group."   Sounds good to me.  Works for me.

As for manners, Wikipedia states "Manners on the other hand are unenforced standards of conduct which demonstrate that a person is proper, polite, and refined"


This blog will focus not on which fork to use at a formal dinner, when it is acceptable to wear white clothing, or the proper salutation that should be used in a letter for various dignitaries but rather on the fundamental behaviors that are necessary for a society to function with minimal conflict with respect for individual considerations while ensuring that the overall needs of society for the greater good of all are addressed.

I look upon current events in the United States - the determined decision of a Muslim group to build a Islamic Center quite close to the site of the 9-11 attack.  I do not object to Muslims having a right or exercising the right  to worship and teach their religion.  However I am saddened that their apparent lack of empathy and understanding or perhaps their lack of etiquette and manners that prevents them to respect the sensitivities of the local population in order to come to a compromise that is good for every one.

Just this morning I read that a Christian group protested outside of a mosque in Bridgeport, Connecticut during worship.

In San Francisco, Catholic services were disrupted by Gay activists with some of them dressed up as Nuns.

A Christian fundamentalist group conducts hurtful and mean spirited protests at the funerals of fallen soldiers.

Comedians make crude and offensive sexually orientated remarks regarding the children of celebrities.

Some politicians lamented that a certain political figure had not been on board a plane that recently crashed killing several on board.

Where is their decency?

Yes, we all have a right to our beliefs and a right to express ourselves through protests or through the media if we so choose.  However just because we can does not mean that we should or at the very least ignore the sensibilities of others while exercising our rights.  I do not advocate the suppression of first amendment rights but I do believe strongly that they should be exercised with a greater deal of etiquette and manners.  The point of a protest should be to communicate rather than to humiliate or intimidate one's opposition.

Often groups as well as individuals seem to regress to childhood behaviors.  Remember when as a child you or someone you may have known got in trouble with an adult for doing something that was obviously wrong or dangerous.  Quite often the child's reply to the adult was "You didn't tell me that I could not do that"  This lack of taking responsibility for one's actions, blaming others for our transgressions, and avoidance of accountability is part of childhood development that is expected to cease with adulthood.  Today the same sort of foolishness gets played out in our society only it involves adults behaving as children rather than children going through a developmental stage.  Just because there is not a specific law, order, or directive which disallows a certain behavior does not mean that the behavior should be performed.  Etiquette and manners are the guidelines which should be considered in choosing our behaviors.

In the United States, politicians sully the chambers of our legislative temple, Congress, with their breaches of proper etiquette and good manners.  This diminishes them personally as well as diminishes the status of their office. It gives new meaning to the phrase that the "Inmates are running the asylum".   It is the lack of respect that leads to conflict as well as prevents collaboration as well as cooperation for the benefit of all.  For too many of our politicians their concern is no greater than for themselves or their allegiance is no greater of further than that for their political party.  This is nothing new, but I believe that it has never been worse or so seemingly widely accepted.

Young Thai Girl Giving a Wai to a Foreigner at a Festival

Surprised by a Photographer, a Lao Loum child gives a wai

Lao Loum children here in Isaan are taught etiquette as well as manners commencing at a very early age.  Toddlers are taught by their parents, extended family, teachers, as well as neighbors.  Interestingly and sadly I very often can identify a, "Thailang", a child of Thai and Falang parents based just on observing their behavior.

Training of young Lao Loum children commences with teaching them to respect, revere, and honor "Buddhas".  Buddhas are the Monks that are so prevalent in Thailand.  Children encounter Monks during the early morning when the Monks walk the streets and roads on their "Tak Bart" - morning merit making ritual to receive their food for that day.  Children, starting at birth, encounter Monks in rituals to obtain blessings, good luck, and wealth for the children and their families.  A visit to a Monk for medical concerns often precedes a visit to the clinic or hospital.  If the patient goes to the hospital or clinic first, their treatment is supplemented with a merit making ritual with a Monk at the local Wat.  Serious concerns or issues may require to a distant Monk who has greater renown and testaments to his powers or influence.  Since children participate in funerals and all the religious celebrations they are frequently visitors to the Wats, Buddhist temples.  Besides being religious centers, the Wats serve as social centers for local village life.

Isaan children are also taught to respect the King, Queen, and Royal Family at an early age.  At the risk of being accused of hyperbole, which I doubt I am guilty of, I would say that every house and business in Thailand has a picture of the King prominently displayed.  Many people will also have pictures of previous Kings on display.  The Royal Family are believed to be Angels sent down to assist and care for the Thai people.

A young Tahsang Village boy giving a wai

Respect for parents, elders and people of a higher rank or status are also ingrained into children starting at a very early age.  Of course as a child, they have to respect everyone.  This instills in the children a humble sense of identity. Lao Loum children do not believe that the world revolves them or that they are the center of the universe.  They know that they are loved by all but they have a role in society and a place in their society.  One of the tenants of Buddhism is the love of and caring for children.  This is a part of the religion that seems to be universally practiced.  Part of the love of and caring for children, involves teaching children etiquette and manners so that the children can be happy members of society.  Teaching the children the expectations and requirements of their society allows them to more easily integrate and positively contribute to their society.  Teaching etiquette as well as manners to the children also instructs the children as to their duties and responsibilities towards their society.  As I wrote the other day regarding the Mother's Day Celebration, children are taught that they have a duty and obligation to love and care for their elders.  The Thai government is not going to care for parents when they are old or can no longer work.  In this society it is the responsibility of the children to care for their parents and grandparents.

My friend, the teacher, indicated that many parents have ignored their responsibilities to teach etiquette and manners to their children.  I do disagree.  I also believe that schools have neglected their responsibility to teach etiquette and manners.  I suspect that my generation is largely responsible for this.  Back in the 1960s there was a strong sense of "Do your own thing" and an admiration for those who chose to live on the fringes of society.  There was a contempt if not rejection for traditional values and the etiquette as well as manners associated with "square" society.  I consider those attitudes to have been a developmental stage for my generation.  However as we became adults we did not appreciate the need for etiquette and manners.  We failed to grasp the need for society to delineate and communicate its expectations for social behavior.  Perhaps in our quest to be unconventional and to be "mod" we forgot the need to have a glue or cement that would hold our new society together while minimizing conflict.  The glue or cement is the etiquette and manners for our society.  We forgot the obligation of a society to define its expectations, and to provide a guideline for harmonious living.  We excused our dereliction of duty and laziness by saying things such as "Who am I to impose my standards on others?"  "Who am I to judge others?" - noble concerns but not justifications for inaction.

I as an individual should not impose my personal standards on others.  However as a member of a society I do have the duty to participate in the delineation of the society's standards and working to ensure that those standards are met by all members of the society - starting with me.  There is nothing wrong with a society having expectations for personal behavior and holding its members accountable to those expectations.  These expectations need to respect individual rights.  Individuals need to respect society's expectations and sensibilities.

Young Lao Loum mother giving wai to passing Monks

Much of the conflict in America today is attributable to the lack of etiquette and manners. If etiquette and manners could be better practiced and applied there would be less miscommunication and derisiveness.  With etiquette and manners a more effective dialogue could be entered into there by resulting in the resolution of issues to the benefit of the common good rather than the current state of diatribes and name calling which only hardens ideology.

To me, the greatest contribution by etiquette and manners to society is "RESPECT".  By practicing etiquette and manners, an individual demonstrates respect for that society.  By practicing etiquette and manners, an individual earns the respect of that society.

I do not agree with many of the political beliefs and philosophies of many of my friends - I suspect that they know that.  However we respect each other and etiquette as well as manners allow us to discuss our differences amicably with us often finding common ground.  It is exploiting "common ground" rather than delineating differences that will allow our society to move forward for the common good of all.

Perhaps this would be the "change" that so many Americans have been hoping for - and still waiting for.

Young Shan child gives a wai in Maehongson, Thailand

Here in Isaan I am confident that adults will continue to meet their responsibilities of teaching etiquette and manners to their children.  I am confident that the schools will continue to educate the children about their society's expectations.

 I hope that quality of life that we all enjoy here will continue.

Impressions - Dealing with Governments

Duang and I went to Bangkok on Monday and Tuesday of this week as part of our effort to obtain an Immigrant Visa for her to enter the United States.  Duang had been cleared by the United States Department of Homeland Security in Bangkok the week before.  On July 23 we received a form letter on plain paper with no letterhead or seal to distinguish the document as being "official" from the "AMERICAN EMBASSY" notifying us of how to apply for immigration to the United States.  The letter referred to attached instructions which were not included. Fortunately the instructions were referred to as enclosure "Packet 3" which I was able to download off the Embassy website.  The letter was from "Chief, Immigrant Visa Branch" but was unsigned.  With the clearance we are now dealing with the American Consulate in Bangkok.

As part of the next step in the Visa process, Duang must submit Police Clearance Certificates for every location where she has lived for longer than one year since she was sixteen.  Duang would need a Thai Police Certificate and a Brunei Police Certificate.  In the "Packet 3" which I had to download from the US Embassy Bangkok website, there were detailed instructions on how to obtain a Thai Police Certificate.  I have come to the conclusion that in bureaucratic matters it is best to deal with the bureaucracy face to face rather than through the mail.  Rather than attempting to obtain the Thai Police Certificate through the mail after obtaining photographs and fingerprints here in Udonthani, I decided it would be best to go directly to the Royal Thai Police Headquarters in Bangkok.

The US State Department website had information on how to get a Brunei Police Clearance Certificate.  According to the website, we needed to send a letter to the Police Commissioner in Brunei requesting the certificate, along with a copy of the current passport, copy of Brunei ID card if available, evidence of the duration of residency in Brunei, and a fee of 50 Brunei dollars.  This seemed too easy to be true.  I was concerned that the authorities in Brunei may not understand English.  Duang had lost her Thai passport for the period of time that she was in Brunei.  Fortunately she still has her Brunei ID card.  I was concerned about how to safely send 50 Brunei dollars - once I figured out how to obtain them!  Lastly I was concerned about any other "required" document requirements not listed.  All these concerns lead me to decide that it would be best to visit the Brunei Embassy in Bangkok to attempt to obtain the required Clearance Certificate.

On our last visit to Bangkok, on July 21-22, I had brought one of my camera lenses to the Nikon dealer for repair.  The lens was repaired and available for pick up.  Rather than transferring money electronically to pay for the repair and having the lens shipped to my home, I decided to pick up the lens myself while in Bangkok.

I made our travel arrangements over the Internet.  Two days after completing our arrangements, I received a "Warden's Message" from the US Embassy warning of unconfirmed threats of bombings against Thai government buildings and unnamed Embassies on Wireless Rd (our hotel location) during this week.  This explained the heightened security that we witnessed during our stay.

After settling in to our hotel we went to the Royal Thai Police headquarters - akin to visiting the FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C.  Akin, but I suspect definitely very different.  The Royal Thai Police Headquarters is a large complex in the heart of Bangkok.  It is a compound with many buildings inside of a two square block fenced area.  We approached the guard house and told the guard what we were there for.  He stepped out of his guard house and pointed out where we needed to go, Building #24, as he gave Duang instructions.  On our way to Building #24, we passed a parade square where a color guard of about 50 policemen were forming up with their weapons  stacked off to the side.  Duang was headed on a path that would take her close to the rifles.  I redirected her away from the weapons - I didn't want any one getting excited.

We found Building #24 without any difficulty.  We opened the sliding glass door and entered a large room filled with desks occupied by uniformed policemen.  The policemen were all relaxed and appeared to be quite friendly - unlike police stations that I have had experience with in California.  We were directed to sit at the first desk on the right at the room's entrance.  Duang told the policeman what we had come for and he reviewed our packet of documents that I had assembled.  He spoke to her in Thai and then to me in English.  He explained the steps that we would go through to obtain the certificate.  I noticed that on the side wall there was a huge poster in Thai as well as English illustrating and numbering the steps to apply for a Police  Clearance Certificate.  He complimented us on our packet of documents and directed us to a section of the room where there were several counters and chairs for people to fill out forms.  Two policemen were busy assisting people to fill out their applications - filling out government official documents is intimidating for many Thai people.

The next step in the process was to have a photograph taken.  After being photographed, Duang was fingerprinted.  She then took her package to a policewoman at one of the desks.  She reviewed the package, approved it, and told Duang that she could pick up the certificate in two weeks.  "Pick it up"?
I asked Duang if the Police could mail the certificate to us instead.  She checked and it was possible but we had to pay the postage - 40 Baht ($1.20 USD).  We had finished this task in 20 minutes at a cost of $1.20 USD.  I was impressed.  I was comfortable the entire time that we were in the office.  The Police were friendly, polite, helpful, and very well organized.  This was a pleasant experience as well as welcomed surprise.

Our next task was to pick up my lens.  I was very pleased with the repair.  Niks is more of a boutique than a store or shop.  Niks deals only in high end equipment and resembles a high end jewelry store.  There are comfortable chairs for customers to sit in as they wait for their merchandise.  I ended up speaking with a women from Dubai who visits Niks every six months to have her Nikon D3 and lenses cleaned.  This gave me confidence that I had brought my lens to the right place.  Sure enough they mounted my lens on a Nikon D700 and invited me to test it out.  My lens had been broken for almost a year so perhaps my memory has faded, but I swear and Duang agrees that the lens is sharper than it was before.  It is great.  The final cost was midpoint of the range that was quoted when I brought it in.  Another task of our trip was successfully completed.  Just as with the Royal Thai Police, I was impressed with the service, courtesy, and professionalism of Niks.

Test Shot of Duang with repaired lens

After leaving the lens at our hotel, we headed off to the Brunei Embassy.  The Brunei Embassy is located in a poorer neighborhood of Bangkok in a nondescript compound which easily could be mistaken for a a school or private residence.  There were two private Thai guards outside of the gate.  Duang told them what we were there for.  They allowed us through the gate and directed us to a small single story building.  We entered through a sliding glass door to a spartan reception area.  There wee two counters for filling out forms, Thai and English notices regarding instructions for obtaining Visas, and several chairs.  The front of the room was like a bank tellers station - narrow counter, glassed partition, and a small slot for passing documents.

After waiting about 3 minutes, a young woman appeared behind the glass.  She was not a Thai employee but an actual Brunei citizen.  Since Brunei is a sultanate and Muslim state, she was modestly dressed in a decorative silk long skirt, matching long sleeved blouse with a coordinated head covering - very similar to Muslim women in Malaysia.  She was very polite and friendly as Duang explained our purpose for the visit and the particulars of our situation.  It was apparent to me that the Brunei representative understood that we had a problem and that she accepted that it was her responsibility to assist us to resolve the problem.  She went to a cupboard and brought  a 3 ring binder to show me.  She opened it and showed me a letter to the Police Commissioner requesting a Police Clearance Certificate.  She waited patiently as I took notes.  She looked at the documents that I had gathered in accordance with the US Department of state website.  There were some additional documents that would assist in obtaining the certificate.  Fortunately I had them with me from our trip to the Royal Thai Police.  She assured us that Duang's missing Thai passport would not be an issue since she had retained her Brunei ID card.  The Brunei representative informed us that the fee was 1,101 Baht and if we came back the next morning with the letter she could send the request to Brunei.  We could expect to have the certificate in 1 to 2 months.

We returned to our hotel where I was able to use their business center to write the required letter and make copies of some of the documents.  It had been a great day.  A topic of discussion over dinner that night between Duang and I was the difference between the US Embassy and Brunei Embassy in Bangkok.  I am convinced that the difference in dealing with the embassies is attributable to Brunei using Brunei citizens to deal directly with the public whereas the US Embassy uses Thai citizens for much of the contact with the public.  At the Brunei Embassy the employee understood that the public's first impression of her country would largely be created and influenced by their dealings with her.

We returned to the Brunei Embassy the next morning.  Our experiences with the Embassy the previous day had not been a fluke.  The Brunei representative was just as friendly and HELPFUL as the day before.  Since Duang and I are married, I needed to provide a copy of my passport as well as a copy of our marriage certificate.  This was a new requirement.  I had my passport with me and the original Thai version of our marriage certificate but I did not have a copy of each.  I asked the woman where I could get copies made.  Without hesitation, she said that she would make them.  I asked what the cost would be.  She seemed almost hurt that I would think that there would be a charge for such a service.  She answered me quite energetically that there is no charge.  This was another pleasant surprise but consistent with my perception from the day before that she considered part of her job to solve and resolve problems.  She requested an English translation of our marriage certificate which I did not have with me but had back in Udonthani - another problem, another issue.  I asked her if I could have an email address to send the document upon our return to Udonthani. She gave me her email address - another problem solved.  Another issue was resolved with ease.  I wrote a note to her boss in which I stated how polite, professional, and helpful she was.  I stated that I had never been to Brunei but based upon our dealings with her, I had a very good impression of Brunei.

With some time to kill before our late afternoon flight back to Isaan, we went to see a movie at one of the huge commercial complexes in downtown Bangkok - my alternative plan if everything had worked out on this trip.  Everything had worked out well.

We got home in the early evening and I sent electronic files of the requested documents to her by 8:00 P.M.  The next morning, around 11:00 A.M. I received an email from her informing that she had sent the documents to Brunei and would call us when the certificate arrived in Bangkok - 1-2 months from now.

It had been a very good trip.  Once again a decision to deal up close and personal with people proved to be the best way to accomplish goals.  How many times have you tried to ask a simple question of a company or government agency that did not fit into their pre-designated categories of their automated phone answering system.  I suspect, that like me, you got lost in robot land and became disgusted before you hung up.  Perhaps, like me, you had some choice words - maybe some of the same choice words.

The quality of life suffers greatly when we ignore the fact that we are a world of people.

The quality of life suffers greatly when we ignore our responsibility to assist and help where as well as when we can.

The quality of life suffers when governments and companies forget that they serve people.

The service that we received at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters, Brunei Embassy, and Niks during our visit had made a strong and lasting favorable impression.  As the old saying goes - you often get only one chance to make an impression.  These organizations had made the most of their first opportunity with us.

The Queen's Birthday and Mother's Day - Here in Thailand

Today, Thursday 12 August 2553 (2010), is the Queen's Birthday - a four day holiday in Thailand.  Since the Queen is considered to be the Mother of all Thais, on her birthday we also celebrate Mother's Day.  Respecting and taking care of your parents is ingrained starting at an early age in Lao Loum society.

Mai, Tay, and Their Mother Reacting to the Principal's Moving Speech

Yesterday, the last day of school for the week, we drove out to Tahsang Village to attend the Mother's Day celebration that we had been invited to during our visit a week ago.  Peelawat had spent the night before at our home so we brought him along with us.  Duang has a great deal of sympathy and compassion for the village children, "small small", so we brought some treats out to the school with us.  On our last visit we brought some bottled water and individual boxes of "Thai-Danish Dairy" milk for the students.  This time we brought them the "Mother of all Snack Bags"- two bags of flavored rice (what else would you expect?) snacks.  Each bag was about 2 feet in diameter and about 3 or 4 feet long.

We arrived just as the Prinicipal was finishing his Mother's Day Speech.  Whereas the school was perhaps the "Happiest Place On Earth" a week ago, it seemed to me to be a sad place when we arrived.  I think that Duang, Peelawat, and I were the only people with dry eyes.  Some of the smaller children, especially Peelawat's friends Mai and Tay, were actually wailing.  All the mothers in the assembly hall had been crying.  According to Duang, the Principal had given a very good speech to the children about how much their Mother loves them, how much their mother does to take care of them, and how when they finish school and their mother is old, they need to take care of her.  he also told the children that they needed to give their mother a kiss and a "wai" (Thai gesture of respect).  What I interpreted as sadness, with the exception of Mai and Tay, were actually tears of joy.  I have yet to see tears at a Lao Loum funeral and now I have to get accustomed to "tears of joy" at a Mother's Day celebration.  I am still learning but still appreciating Lao Loum culture.

Since we had donated to the celebration, I was invited to speak to the children and the mothers.  I gave a short speech in a combination of Lao, Thai and mostly English which one of the teachers translated.  I received polite applause but had come no where near bringing any one to tears.

A mother and her daughters plant a Frangipane shrub on edge of shool's play field

Everyone then went outside to plant flowering shrubs around the perimeter of the school's play field.  The school teachers had purchased the plants for improving the school grounds and to honor the village mothers. The plants are called "Lantom" in Thai and "Frangipane" a type of Plumeria.   As I was photographing the activity, the Principal called Duang over and gave her a plant for us to plant.  Duang, Peelawat, and their helpers, Mai and Tay, went and found a "Good" spot to plant the shrub.  After taking some photographs, I helped dig the remainder of our hole and assisted the children to finish the planting.

Duang, Peelawat, Mai, and Tay planting a Lantom (Frangipane)

Farmer Duang and her field hands Mai, Tay and Peelawat- Peelawat seems more interested in me than planting

After finishing our landscaping, we went to the front of the assembly building where crushed ice was being placed into plastic cups and then filled with a soft drink ladled out of a large metal bowl.  Mothers were occupied serving the prepared lunch foods to the children and then joined them on the floor to eat their lunch with the children.  I took advantage of the break in action to go off to explore the class rooms with Peelawat.  On my previous visit, I did not have my camera so this was a good opportunity to document aspects of a Lao Loum school in Isaan.

Students lining up for an ice cold drink on another hot and humid day in Isaan

Peelawat with his "treasure" - a plastic clothes pin that he found in the class room

The classrooms were empty with the chairs stacked upon the desks for the four day school holiday. Peelawat was an excellent assistant.  As I started to use the flash, he decided that he wanted his photograph taken.  I don't know if he is a ham or just wants to please his grandfather.  In any case it works for both of us.  After awhile we were joined by Gay from Tahsang Village and one of Peelawat's friends.  Gay likes his photograph taken so I was more than willing to accommodate him too.

Peelawat and Gay at school

Peelawat spent some time in the 3 and 4 year old student class room.  I took some photographs of the classroom as well as teaching aids in the room.  Just as in America the young students were learning their colors, animals and plants.  Unlike in America their posters were in Thai as well as in English.  Peelawat found the storage cupboard were the class stuffed animals were stored.  He selected  one of several identical stuffed animals, sat down in the middle of the room, and started sucking his thumb while he watched me taking pictures.  Every so often he let me know that he wanted his picture taken too.  Peelawat was getting tired and deservedly so.  He spent the night in his uncle's room at our house and had too much fun - all night long!  We figured he had only 5 hours sleep that night.  Fortunately at 3:00 A.M. when Peelawat wanted to come into our bedroom to "visit" us, Duang's son took Peelawat outside instead to walk the neighborhood to get him tired.

Peelawat Resting in the classroom

Duang came along after searching for us to let us know that it was time to take Peelawat back to his mother at his other grandmother's house.  Reluctantly we left and concluded our fun day at the school.  The celebration was a great tribute to the mothers.

I have been interrupted twice while composing this blog - Duang son gave her a small box with a carved soap flower in it.  As Duang has been sewing next to me I have heard her sniffling - she was not sad but happy inside.  I gave her a tissue and everything was under control until her daughter called to apologize for being angry with her mother before.  We now have more tears of joy.

Apparently my time is coming.  December 5 is the King's birthday so it is also Father's Day.  The school Principal told Duang that I would be honored by the children of Tahsang Village on that day.