Pod had a successful tour business in Khao Lak, Thailand.  He would act as a guide to tourists who wished to experience the natural beauty of the National Parks, whilst his wife would run the agency and take bookings. They had a young son, and Pod’s wife was 5 months pregnant with their second child.

This particular day he left home as usual, the weather was fine, and he was leading a group on an excursion into Khao Sok National Park.  He would take the group of tourists on a short elephant trek, followed by a canoe trip along the river.  Shortly after he arrived at the elephant camp, his wife telephoned to say that their son had decided to cycle over to his friend’s house and would not be back for dinner.

The elephant trek was uneventful, (contrary to popular stories the elephants did not show any abnormal behaviour).  Pod and his party made their way to the main road, and were confronted by the sight of hundreds of people, cars, trucks etc. making their way inland.   Pod asked what had happened.……….

It was was Boxing Day, 26^th December 2004; the day of the Tsunami, and Pod’s life would change for ever.

Pod searched for his wife, never giving up hope.  It was more than 2 years later, in March 2007 that he finally discovered his wife’s body, matched by DNA.  Her body was in a refrigerated truck.  He lost eight family members and friends in the Tsunami, but his son did survive because the friend’s house was inland and on high ground.  The final death toll in Khao Lak was over 4,000 with local unofficial estimates topping 10,000 due to the lack of accurate government censuses and the mere fact that the Burmese population were not documented or recognized as legal residents.

Pod joined with the relief effort, helping to build a Tsunami relief village for the surviving fishermen who had lost their homes.  Initially the Thai Police and Army organised 35 single storey houses to be built, shortly afterwards the King of Thailand built approximately 65 two storey houses at the same site.  Pod had gained experience of concrete work and tiling during his days working as a labourer in his youth, so he was able to contribute substantially to the work.

He moved away from Khao Lak, but missed the nature and beauty of the national parks.  He told me that although he can never forget, he has done all his crying and being sad. It is time to move on as there is no alternative, and he is attempting to rebuild his life. He has since remarried to a very nice lady from his home village, and has returned, trying to restart his tour business.

He does not ask for, nor expect sympathy.  He accepts what happened as something that “happened” and was beyond his control.

Pod did not offer his story easily; indeed it took some encouragement for him to tell me about that time.  There is much, much more that I could relate, but I think some things maybe better left private.

If you are thinking of visiting the Khao Lak area and would like to help Khun Pod by booking one of his tours, please ask me for his contact details.

Aed Carabao - แอ๊ด คาราบาว

Carabao (Thai: คาราบาว) is the most popular Thai rock band of all time.  The band was formed in 1976 by 2 university students Aed and Keo who met whilst studying in the Philippines.  The word Carabao is a Tagalog word which means buffalo, a symbol of strength, hard work, and patience.

Carabao’s songs often tackle social and political issues, demanding social justice and taking on the causes of the ordinary Thai people, but they have also created love songs and more philosophical songs that carry messages for people everywhere. Aed Carabao is loved for his sharp tongue and open criticism of corrupt politicians, big business and environmental destruction.

Their recent album releases have each contained one song written in English, “Mr Lao Khao” is from the album “3 Cha Rob Nee pee bah Rob nah phee bork” (Thai: 3 ช่า รอบนี้ผีบ้า รอบหน้าผีบอก)

64 years old man, everyday drunk like hell
3 daughters working in Nippon, a son work in rice fields
His daughters send him money, some money for something
Lao Khao is the local whisky, take him through this world all alone

Great God, don’t take him away, he’s my father in law
I pray for him sometime; discovering he’s a good man, good man
Skol kol kol, Mr Lao Khao

64 years old man, everyday drunk like hell
Lao Khao is the local whisky, take him through this world all alone

One day he goes fishing, and fall down into the water
Whisky bottle never left hand,
My old man getting mao, mao, mao

Great God, don’t take him away, he’s my father in law
I pray for him sometime; discovering he’s a good man, good man
Skol kol kol, Mr Lao Khao

One day he goes fishing, and falls down into the water
Whisky bottle never left hand,
My old man getting mao, mao, mao

Lost the house and the rice field, his woman gone forever
All because of Lao Khao
At the end he killed himself

Great God, don’t take him away, he’s my father in law
I pray for him sometime; discovering he’s a good man, good man
Skol kol kol, Mr Lao Khao

Fort Phra Sumen – ป้อมพระสุเมร

So, I am browsing in Asia Books in Bangkok the other day and see a new book entitled “We Love Bangkok” published by OOM Lifestyle Books. I flick through a few pages and think it looks kinda interesting, so I purchase a copy.

Later that afternoon I am lazing on the bed and reading the book. Imaging my surprise – there on Page 12, one of my own photographs! The publishers even had the audacity to crop my name and copyright notice from the bottom of the image, and claim that all photographic content in the book is copyright of OOM Lifestyle Books! The book photographer is listed as Pichan Sujaritsatit.

I have emailed the publishers and distributors but so far have not received a reply.

As it appears in the publication

P Gap

T-Bone are the most internationally known Thai Reggae/Ska band, having performed at the UK Glastonbury Festival in 2005 and 2007. They have toured extensively throughout Thailand and have performed many joint concerts with Palmy, they play regular Friday night gigs at Saxophone Pub in Bangkok where this photo was taken.

The Eye

A sense of normality is returning to Bangkok, although the deep divisions remain.  It is rumoured that the hard line red shirts may attempt to use connections with the Southern insurgents to instigate a bombing and arson campaign in the capital.    Pray for Bangkok, Thailand, and Thai people.

Chang chang chang chang chang

This is a well known children’s song in Thailand and is taught to children in primary school. The melody is adapted from a Thai classical piece called พม่าเขว “Phama Khwee”.  The word  น้อง (nong) in line 2  is  a form of address or pronoun used with someone younger than the speaker.

สาวหนึ่งงามสดใส เยื้องกรายเดินผ่านมา

This song first appeared in a popular 1976 Thai movie called วัยอลวน “Wai Olawon”, a teen love story/comedy. This is a song that the main character sings to tease his girl. The song has since become a popular choice when learning the guitar and as a “camp fire” song due to its humorous story line and punchline.

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คำร้อง ทำนอง ปิยะพล เอนกบุณย์
Lyrics/Melody by Piyapol Anekbun