And so, after the awesome performance with so many dancers, a great number of them who would have travelled from surrounding towns and villages to participate, the next item on the agenda were the speeches. The first speakers were our young English translators, Mr Sarawut Pengwan a teacher at Loeng Nok Tha kindergarten and Ms Jiranun Sariphan a teacher at Kut Khok Kan. Then came Mr. Santipracha Rojnaboonthung, who is the Deputy District Chief of Loeng Nok Tha. The Commander of the Thai Army Colonel Somboon Chaikhao spoke next and then our very own full of fun and mischief, Nyock Mit accompanied by Balat Kham. The rollover shows Neil Campbell on stage giving a speech on behalf of the OCA guests.
After the speeches the guests descended from the stage with an invitation to walk to the the picture boards to view the many historical pictures of Operation Crown. There were also then and now pictures of the veterans in attendance.
Balat Kham, presumably to keep the programme of events on time, directed Neville and myself to sit with him and Colonel Somboon under a Sala. The Sala was made of traditional materials in the traditional style and would normally have been sited out in the rice Paddi as a shelter from the elements. It's intended purpose for this occasion, was to provide a Thai cultural backdrop for more picture taking. Ms Narawadee Thepsriha sat at the front wearing the traditional costume of the women of the Isaan region, indeed as all of the Oberjors staff did. She's certainly a worthy model of the beauty of Thai womenfolk. As you can see in the following images, the VIP's kept coming for the photo opportunity in the the Sala backdrop.
Balat Kham borrowed a Khaen, which is made from bamboo pipes connected to a hollow wooden reservoir. Its played by blowing and inhaling to create melodic sounds with free reeds, integral to Lao and Thai Isaan culture. He gave it to Neil to see if he could produce some bagpipe expertise with it, but the blowing technique for the Khaen, is very different from playing the pipes and Neil was unable to master it.
The photo session came to an end when Nyock Mit arrived with a couple of gentlemen, Mr. Dit Bupphamala and Mr. Methee Taweechok. The Head teacher from Koh Kut Kan school and her Deputy, Colonel Somboon and Mr. Sarawut Pengwan. The OCA vets are Neville Wareham, Neil Campbell, George Smart and John Hamnett.
And so as dusk approached, the sun descended towards the horizon and the shadows lengthened. We were congregated around the plinth to observe two minutes silence for the servicemen who lost their lives on Crown. Left side L/R, Belinda Campbell, Neil Campbell, Gill Allison, David Allison and Neville Wareham. Right side R/L Mark Wareham, Joyce Hough, Barbara Ashworth, Ray Hough, George Smart and John Hamnett. Then we stood quietly as Neil picked up his Pipes and played the Lament. When his Pipes fell silent, applause broke out for all those who served on Crown.
Now as we moved into the evening and the light levels decreased, it was time for the traditonal Thai dancing. The young dancer pictured below, started off the proceedings by performing a graceful slow dance with obvious enjoyment as she did so.
The first of the Thai dance troops give their best for the audience. These troops are very popular with the mature ladies who join them as they provide social interaction and a pleasant way to partake in exercise. In other words, a big night out with the girls, a win win activity!
The after dance troop picture. A big big occasion for all concerned although they would be dancing again a little later.
Now it was the time to take to the stage. Four mature Thai ladies perform a slow graceful dance. I think the delight they feel from their dancing, shows in their beautiful smiles.
The first troop to dance returned for one more performance both on the stage and in front of it. The size of their troop meant they were far too many to fit on the stage. They had entertained us with their grace and beauty and now it was time for the next phase of the programme. We were to be entertained by a DJ who also played the accordian and another smaller sized dance troop.
The video above features a song titled 'Salawan' (Saravan). Saravan is a province in Laos where Isaan people dream of going to chill out. It has beautiful countryside with rivers, waterfalls, forests and lakes. Nang Bua Lake for instance has siamese crocodiles living in it. There is a tremendous amount of spectacular Flora and Fauna, its a sort of Isaan Shangri La.
As the sky darkens at dusk, we were led to tables loaded with copious amounts of delicious Thai dishes. Some of them were familiar, whilst others were new to me and were yet to be tasted. But as can be seen from the picture below, the dishes had lots of colour and variety. It goes without saying, the food was delicious.
There are many many more pictures I could use to tell the story of this magnificent event so brilliantly organised by the staff of the Khok Samran Obajors Office, but I would be working on this story far longer than I have time for. So I on behalf of the OCA, give a heartfelt thank you to Balat Kham, Nyock Mit, Ms Pichamon, Ms Narawadee Thepsriha, Khun Klom Bunnet, all the staff of the Obajors Office and all the other players in this magnificent 60th Airfield Opening Celebration. We will never forget this day!
