A group of Operation Crown veterans and partners, arrived at Crown Airfield at approximately 1500 hrs on the 12th of November 2025. They were to participate in a celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Opening of Crown Airfield. Their hosts were the people of Khok Samran led by the officers and staff of the village local government office. The image above is of the center stage awaiting the start of the festivities. The rollover shows the two young translators who spoke excellent English and handled the proceedings with aplomb.

On disembarking from the minibus we were greeted by Miss Pichemon and the staff from the Obajors office. Before too long after we had our identity lanyards placed around our necks, we were directed by Miss Narawadee Thepsriha to a tall Op Crown sign which had been made as a backdrop for much picture taking. These backdrops come in many shapes and sizes depending on the location and theme of the picture. In this case as we were attending an airfield 60th celebration, an Op Crown roadsign was deemed appropriate.

Khun Klom Bunnet led Neville and George to the OP Crown photoshoot backdrop, starting a frenzy of picture taking. Ray and myself joined them as the ladies from the Obajor's organised us into starting the group posing session. The Thai people take great delight in showing their affections with their hands and fingers, for pictures as seen in the first picture right. Now the rollover shows much laughter as Miss Narawadee Thepsriha (nickname 'Jieb') turns away after giving up on helping Ray to manipulate his sausage fingers into forming a 'small heart'.

Everyone in Ray's vicinity chimed in to offer advice on how he could get his sausage fingers to form a small heart. As can clearly be seen from the perplexed expression, Ray had no inkling of how to get his fingers to do his bidding. The rollover picture above, shows the exact moment 'Jieb' realising her tuition was failing to resolve Ray's predicament and so she turned away to her companions who joined her in the fun. The rollover shows the office staff having a good old belly laugh at Ray's expense. Good one Ray!

There was one more group shot to be taken here. At the center were the six Op Crown veterans who were able to make this trip. Balat Kham is far left, a mixture of Obajor staff and presumably some important guests. We were then directed towards the stage for what would become a series of group pictures. In the rollover picture L/R are Khun Klom Bunnet, Neville Wareham, Dave Allison, John Hamnett, Ray Hough, Neil Campbell, George Smart, Deputy Secretary Kham and Khun Aek Chaimongkol.

We were joined by Nyock Mit and others, including the Colonel of the Royal Thai Army 6th Infantry Division accompanied by his Adjutant, who are based at Roi Et. The gentleman standing beside the policemen is Mr.Prachit Nonthaphat and the two Thai ladies in the traditional Isaan costume's are the head teacher from Koh Kut Kan school and her Deputy.

After the picture taking session, we moved with other guests to sit under a shelter to await the next phase of the celebration. As we did so Khun Lam bought us bottled water to quench our thirst. Now Lam as a young child was a Boot Boy, a highly sought after job amongst the boys of the village. Lam was very good at his job as his client Alan Myers will happily testify.

While we waited, local people walked amongst us to chat and take pictures. This was a big a moment in their lives as it was in ours and needed to be recorded for posterity. On the left standing with me is Khun Klom Bunnet, as a very young man he worked in the Officers mess. He consequently went on to become a village headman and is now a much revered village elder. On the right standing with Neil is Balat Kham we first met him in 2014 at the Oberjor's office, when he and Nyock Mit discussed with us the possibility of a 50th Airfield Anniversary Celebration. He too is a very firm friend of the OCA. The rollover shows George and Neville, enjoying the company of new friends they made on the day.

And so it was time for the festivities to begin. We were invited to join our hosts and move to the stage but! Not just a sedately walk to the stage no, a mass dancing Thai style with hosts and guests participating together.