Mike Chapman seen here at the 2019 Ubon Remembrance Ceremony, discussing arrangements with Neville Wareham and the OCA group and outlining our role for the proceedings. The outcome of Mike's directions to us can be seen HERE. We met Mike on our very first trip back to Thailand in 2010 at the Tohsang Hotel in Ubon. He and a fellow ex-pat Bob Longridge were the joint directors of the Ubon Remembrance Ceremonies at that time and came to brief the OCA group.

Bob Longridge and Jim Curtis officiated the 2012 and 2013 ceremonies. Mike took over after that and the picture right shows him with translator Ms. Thom at the 2014 ceremony. The ceremonies became more important to the officials and military in Ubon, as international traveller numbers grew with each year. This came to a stop in 2016 with the death of the much loved King Bhumibol, when large ceremonies and celebrations were forbidden as they could not overshadow the mourning of the King.

A smaller ceremony took place however, when the Mayor attended as the Governor was not permitted to be present because of the national mourning regulations. In 2017 after the period of mourning came to an end, the Remembrance Ceremony resumed as before. Only a few OCA members were able to travel to attend the ceremony, although the numbers were boosted by the surprise arrival of Frank and Elsie Maggoch. Mike resumed his role as the ex-pat director of the ceremony.

Mike bought a new element to the 2018 proceedings, when he decided that he would do something special for the one hundreth anniversary of the ending of the first great war. The OCA party were invited to his Seven Seas restaurant for a twilight flag lowering ceremony. The story of the 2018 Ceremony is told HERE. The flag lowering ceremony was quite emotional for all the attendees given the significance of that one hundred years anniversary. A video of that occasion can be viewed HERE.

Mike was unable to attend the 2022 Remembrance Ceremony as he was far too ill. He did however insist on being a participant in the flag lowering ceremony at The Seven Seas. As the above picture shows, Mike stood to attention with his wife Nok by his side as the Bugler played the Last Post and the Union Jack was lowered and folded. The admiration by all there for Mike's courage and determination was obvious and undisguised. The cool blue hue's of the scene and the warm glow of the electric lights show that it's dusk and almost the end of daylight reflecting an atmosphere of calm and peace. A never to be forgotten moment in the lives of a lot of the people present.

Mike's funeral and cremation took place on January 5th at Wat Phasukaram in Warin Chamrap. There were many mourners both Thai and ex-pat. The mourner in chief was an ex Ubon Governor, who Mike had worked with organising the 11/11 ceremonies. His attendance was proof of Mike's social standing in Ubon. As the OCA representative, I was invited and honoured to participate with others, in the funeral service. When the service was over, Mike's coffin was ceremoniously carried by mourners to the crematorium.

The coffin lid was removed and fresh milk from a newly opened coconut poured over his body. This signifies cleansing of the body before cremation. The mourners who wished to, went to look upon Mike for the last time. The lid was replaced and the coffin moved to the interior of the crematorium where it was then cremated.

The affable, generous and welcoming Mike Chapman. Cheers Mike and Bon Voyage!