Post Crown Road 50th 2018
The Airfield Celebration
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As the coach drove onto the airfield we were to coin a phrase, 'gobsmacked' by the scene before us. The parking apron was choked with people in the cultural costume of the Isaan region. The women and girls far outnumbered the men and boys as they were here to dance for us. As it transpired they were also here to break a record, but more of that later. We exited the coach and were directed through the lines of dancer's to a big stage. |
To say that walking amongst them was awesome, is not an exaggeration. Trying to take in what we were to become part of, meant we either had an ear to ear smile or a look of bewilderment. The picture right shows Khok Samran Headman Glom, leading the way to the stage. Glom now in his eighties worked in the Officers Mess. The rollover shows Alan Myers clearing the line of dignitaries in front of the stage. Behind Alan being greeted with a warm hug, is James Merchant formerly of the RAPC |
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Once on stage we could see the scale of the event a 180 degree panorama shows the viewer. There were hundreds of dancers of all ages, from five year olds to grandmothers. Surrounding the apron was a village sized covered market filled with traders going about their business. Later, we became aware that the event had been going on for a few days drawing people from far and wide, our arrival and participation was the
finale of the Celebration. The astute people in the Oberjors office had used the OCA donation, to
fund a 'Tambon' that market and other traders
would rush to rent a stall for the duration. I know of one young businessman from Amnat Charoen who was there with a team of staff to sell his wares. The event was to pay for itself.
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After we had been seated the Governor of Yasothon and his staff arrived and was seated centre stage alongside the ADA Derek Marx. In a line standing facing us were all the local dignitries not only from Khok Samran but LNT and possibly other villages as well. I suspect these were the people who had worked long and hard to make this event happen. The Nyamphur of Loeng Nok Tha as the senior local official, made the speech to welcome us. The dancers meanwhile waited patiently in the background, including the very young children. |
Our M/C's Choky and Kri-ton dressed in silken finery, then introduced us by name to the crowd. I can't reproduce every introduction here so view the slideshow for more. Whilst the introductions were being made, it gave us time to settle in and try to absorb what was happening. We could see a lot of professional video cameras and a couple of drones moving overhead. Our hosts had attracted national TV in the form of Channel 7, to cover the celebration, by attempting to break the record number of Thai dancers performing together. Which they did. |
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The Governor of Yasothon Province was the Thai guest of honour. He and his entourage occupied the other half of the stage from ourselves.
He stood to speak in response to the Nyamphur and welcome us to the airfield. He thanked us for our efforts all those years ago. Chris Rose responded on our behalf with his second speech of the day. The airfield and road had only been pictures and anecdotes that his Father had passed on over the years. Now they were reality and he was here on his Fathers and OCA's behalf to play this important role.
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Formalities over and the main event of the day was drawing near. The dancers had waited patiently for some considerable time but now they were called to action. The music started and led by two ladies in white T shirts, they started the graceful 'Onchon Issan' dance. We were late into the evening and the lights were starting to glow. As mentioned above the dancers were right across the age spectrum. It was gratifying to see the passing on of skills so directly. The rollover emphasise this I think. |
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After a couple of dance's the music stopped. We stood in unison to applaud the spectacle we'd just witnessed. Without warning a Rod Stewart recording of 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain' rang out across the apron. The dancers changed style to waving their arms above their shoulders from side to side. They moved side to side with their feet. Spontaneously, those on the stage followed the dancers lead and we were all in it together. What a moment! Our smiles were now at the biggest they had been all day. Fantastic!
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The proceedings were moving into their final 'stages' but the Governor and Nyamphur had one more official duty to perform. They presented us each with a 'Puwong malai' garland. Formalities over the crowd of people attending flooded forward towards the stage and we all engaged in friendly intercourse with them. One family in particular come to mind as they were carrying a large flag off St. George. It seemed that Mum had married a soldier and he had passed away. His stepson's were with her to remember him (slideshow) |
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Finally it was time to exit the stage although some of found it difficult to say farewell. The dancers had left and an area was being prepared with straw bales for dining. We were to have dinner before party time. When we had cleared the stage a traditional band and singers took our place to begin entertaining us. They
played, danced and sang in the Isaan style as we ate and fraternised. The mood had gradually changed from one of amazement, to one of fellowship between Thai's and the OCA group.
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As the the straw bales were quickly being organised we moved amongst the market stalls viewing the wares on offer. The organisation was superb and we were soon called to be seated to eat. We did not have to wait long for the goodies on offer to be placed before us and eating commenced. The picture right shows our VIP guest's eating and chatting together, the first chance they had I would guess, in a very hectic but tremendously rewarding day. The rollover features the main body of the OCA group and below we feature our Thai friends who had done so much to help us. |
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A 'Morlam' band took to the stage to start belting out the pop music of Isaan. A woman singer with a raucaos voice had the Thai's up and dancing. There was varying degrees of inebriation amongst the Thai's, who like to get a little tipsy at events like these. Jayne Senior has a natural instinct for dancing and with a little persuasion from Lem (Alan Myers boot boy). She was matching the Thai's for energy and movement. The Thai's loved to see Jayne's enthusiasm and joined her to party. The rollover sees Alan and Lem saying goodbye before we head back to Mukdahan.
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I'm short of time so it's on that note that I for the time being end this report. There is another story to tell about a Bicycle ride along the Post Crown Road which happened the day after this celebration. I also have not done justice to this story and this report will be upgraded as soon as I am able. Video of the celebration will be included when I add to this story. The day we experienced was like nothing we'd ever done before and I'm hoping this report will bring back lot's of memories to those who took part.
Webmaster John Hamnett
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Slideshow
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