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Mathos

There are times when simply watching things like this in life are a wonderful bonus to our normal existence.





How beautiful these particular stages of this jaunt happened to be.




Something else which was very apparent too, every time the elephant defecated and it did several on the journey, he climbed down from his perch and scooped it out of the water. I have never seen that sort of care taken previously.

Mind you, I obviously thought he probably drank and washed from this water further down stream?




It was indeed a very beautiful spot.

__________________
All the women take their blouses off
And the men all dance on the polka dots
It's closing time !

Mathos

Meanwhile, back in the mountains looking for more refugee camps.






There is still so much beauty.





And so much pain.




This young fellow was telling us his life-story from a very young age in one of the camps. He had received quite a good education, and his English language standard was good.

He was allowed a certain amount of freedom and as you can see he had a motorcycle which is obviously a brilliant bonus.

He sang to us and played his guitar.

We could not make out any of the words of his song, but he had a really nice voice. His song was one of pain and sorrow.




We actually managed to meet his teacher, who has use of an e-mail address from time to time. I am of the impression that the same is monitored so we take care what we write to him, we note the caution in his replies, which are scarce in any event.

We are sending a parcel of writing implements and writing books to him which is all he has asked for.

bongthom

great stuff Mathos!!


we drive down by Mae Saraieng and Mae Sot a few weeks back.......what a road!!!!

it's a different world over there isn't it?

Mathos

The camps do have a tendency to look depressing when you have visited a few of them.




Even the church seems to offer a cross of light up there.


The rivers of Thailand certainly have their work cut out in ensuring they provide not only for the needs of the population along with service and industry, but the needs and wants of the Hilltribe people and the Refugees.





It's quite amazing how so many are affected by the happenings in their next door neighbours.

All in all, I have to give Thailand credit for the assistance they give.





Flobo normally has a walk around and talks to the women, it is amazing how many can speak a little English and they enjoy the fact that 'Farangs' show an interest in their plight so to speak.

Mathos

It really is, very special.

The road is something else.

Thanks for your comments.

Appreciated.


NB Your mail box is full btw.

Mathos

I came across two more photographs of the Burmese refugee singer, I think they probably relate more to the depth of the song.


So I thought I'd put them up here.







Photographs really can say a great deal at times.

What a brilliant invention on part of our evolutionary trail.





I'm going to put some more up on The Khao Lak forum later, I'll be back to this one in due course though.

Mathos

I'd simply been glancing at some photographs this evening in between watching the Portugal v Germany game on TV.

I came across some from the Mae Sot region and it just seemed appropriate to enter a few up before I turned in for the night.




I sometimes wonder if they are soldiers or 'boy scouts'

Many a time I wonder how much training they have had or have not had with those guns.





We stayed a few nights in some bungalow accommodation with this outside attached bathroom.

The visitors we had in there from mosquito's bats, snakes, lizards and frogs was quite amazing.

We found the best solution was to leave the light on all night, but whilst the snakes, lizards and frogs kept out of the way, the mosi's multiplied in their thousands.




Some of these views defy words.



Spectacular isn't it.




It's almost like looking on what the 'Garden of Eden' might have been like.




I know some of these photographs look great, but it terrifies me to see children in such danger.

When will they ever learn?

Mathos

Nature is so wonderful, nothing compares.

Most of these are general photographs from here, there and everywhere.

I hope you like them.







These roadside stalls have a certain unique appearance.

Even the 'Poodle Pooches' look ideally situated.




The Streets in Mae Sot have a unique feeling and appearance.

It must be the various cultures associated with this border town in general.



A nice coffee on the pavement is kind of special whilst you watch the world go by.

People watching here takes on a whole new window as well.





It really has a special appeal.





The motorcyclists are well kitted out.

That is unusual.


These Monks looked happy enough with there little lot.

Tattoo's and all.




All looked well with the world in this little section of paradise.





Not a bad sun-set either.





Nice roads.





Interesting off road walks and teks in the jungle areas too.

Gorgeous, the memories are good too when we look on these types of photographs.






Why should he move in any case.





All this on the third rock from the sun.




Well, I think they look good myself.

Might even be worth a green or two, this little lot.

Mathos

Most of you will be aware that Mae Sot is a border town with Burma {Myanmar}
it has a certain liveliness which belies it's general size, the town is a major point with regards to the transportation of underground gems, timber and other.

It can be a very exciting place if you are willing to travel into unknown territories.

It pays to be careful here though, very careful.

Anything of value is a source of income and life to a vast assortment of people, be they Thais, Burmese, Karen, Indian, Chinese, Kayash, Hmong and indeed a regular brotherhood of occidentals.

In April, time of the Gems Fair, Burmese and Thai boxers will fight unofficial five round bouts, usually without gloves and the betting is worth unmentionable sums of money.

The contestants receive a pittance.

The location changes on an annual basis.



This photograph is taken from the town of Myawaddi on the Burmese side of the river.

The 'Friendship Bridge' across the Moei River links Mae Sot to Myawaddi in Burma


The Burmese military opens and closes the border point rather whimsically.

The Burmese side sometimes experiences skirmishes between the military and ethnic insurgents, mainly in the dry season.

There was much shouting earlier this year when Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan, 64, a leader of the Karen National Union, one of the biggest ethnic groups fighting Burma's {Myanmar's} military government, was killed by gunmen on 14.02.2008 at his home in Mae Sot, Thailand.

Around the same period a Thai policeman was shot in the stomach with a shotgun underneath the Friendship Bridge on a strip of no mans land.

A gang of Burmese who illegally hold onto this section of 'No Man's Land' are suspected of being behind the attack and shooting.

The gang also threatened to burn down the famous border market on the Thai side of the river known as Rim Moei, if the Thai police attempted to make any arrests on the aforementioned strip of land/island.

Approximately a week earlier a Thai forestry officer was kidnapped, robbed and beaten up by the Burmese gang.

There was also a bomb attack in the area in between these events.


The Tak Governor has instructed the Mayor and market vendors to work out security for the market traders and others.

More police were to be deployed and CCTV cameras with passive sensors are to be installed along with lights which will operate on sensors, to stop the illegal crossings over the river and below the bridge. Fences are also to be repaired ad additional fencing is to be erected.

The Mayor is also asking for civilians to become part of a security force to monitor the illegal crossings.

Some 250 volunteers have been recruited {how do you recruit volunteers}
from border villages and they are to be trained by the military based in Tak.

Mathos

It's interesting in Burma, I have some good photographs from our travels and will do a decent selection over the next week or two.

I couldn't help but wonder how they could pour out a cup or glass of any liquid, living in here.





There are many buildings which lean in this fashion.





The next photograph shows the somewhat unique Crocodile Temple {Myi Kyuangon} in Myawaddi.

Apparently the strength of The crocodile is expected to afford the Temple protection.




There are some interesting buildings.




Many homes which are little more than extremely poor quality shacks.




Little more than very poor shanty towns exist once you leave the main street.




As you can see, there are very few motor vehicles in the town.




The people appear to find methods of getting about besides walking though.




I will have to transfer a great number of photographs for this Burmese section, but will give the thread some attention during the next couple of weeks.

Mathos

They don't have much at all in Burma, the people in border towns such as Myawaddi adjacent to Mae Sot, are likely to have a little more than others though.

There are opportunities to earn a few Dollars, Thai Baht, be it by illegal employment, illegal business, or pure theft and deception.

The wealthier in the town are also blessed with a power connection, courtesy of Thailand and you can find an odd one or two in possession of a motorcycle.




The actual living conditions are a fluctuation between the most basic of poverty line levels to an occasional decent brick building with the basics of added comforts afforded by a connection to an electricity supply.

It is worth noting the actual timbers used to carry the electric overhead cables.

It is of course worth reflecting on the stability of these homes
during the recent catastrophe, few if any in the immediate areas would have survived a cyclone of that magnitude.




The majority of homes we have come across are certainly no better than any of the homes in the Thailand Refugee Camps for instance.

Some are much worse, as I am sure you will agree as this section of the thread evolves.

Mathos

The foundations or ground support pillars for some of the better class homes leave much to be desired. As you can see from the next photograph, there is obviously no substantial foundation what-so-ever.



There are times when we wonder what on earth it is all about.

The drastic variations in existence and social welfare do have such massive differences between them throughout the world.



Most of us no doubt own better sheds in our gardens to store tools than these people are blessed to exist in.


The occupants of this particular home which was not giving them enough room
have built to accomodate in the under-part of the same,

There is this natural tendency to wonder why and also to want better for them, there are many throughout the world far worse off than these children are too.

You cannot help but feel for them. You couldn't possibly have a heart if you didn't.





There are many children who have had limbs blown off by landmines, especially legs, {there are many who have been killed by landmines too}.

We have seen such children and seen them smiling as they hop around with a stick in one hand, the damaged remainder of a limb swinging.


Flobo said to me earlier this year:-

"One thing about coming out here, you know there are things that will make you laugh, but why is there so much to make you cry?





The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Mathos

Thanks Shazi.

Appreciated.


It's hard to believe that almost two months have elapsed since I did anything on this thread and the others connected with the orient.


There is so much more I have to write, but thankfully I have been very busy of late.

I have probably been getting carried away on The Lancashire thread..

Mathos

Myawaddi on the Burmese side of the border with Mae Sot.

There are times when you see forms of happiness which shine like a bright star on a dark winters evening.


There are many on the planet for whom a full stomach and the most basics of possessions are more than enough to make their lives a content and happy period.



The majority of us would be wanting much more than an existence in this type of environment, that's for sure.

Take a moment or two and imagine how it would look in the monsoon season as well.



I wonder where she is going, she's running out of houses to call at.

It never ceases to amaze me as to how far some of these people walk in a day transporting all sorts of loads on their heads as well.




Some men would struggle with a load of wood like the lady above is toting around on her head.




The water tankers are kept very busy in the dry season though.

It's simply pumped up from the Moei River and pumped into various holding tanks.




I think we get spoiled at home, being able to turn the tap on and take a drink of fresh clean and totally purified water.

Mathos

From what I can make out, it appears they are supplied with a chassis, complete with engine and transmission from the Democratic Republic of China and add on as they require to serve their particular needs. Most of the vehicles though were in a really poor state, there were an odd one or two which were obviously recent acquisitions.






Some looked more serviceable than others, but all in all they were an extremely basic unit.




I don't think they had to worry about an annual MOT either.



Here we go, he's got a new one.




The one below is the local bus.




You probably noted, they don't need conductors or inspectors either.

'Old Blakey' would have kittens with this little lot.

Mathos

There was a Buddhist religious day on the 21st February 2008. A few months ago, but it only seems like yesterday.

We were invited to a bit of the celebrations in a small village area just outside of Myawaddi.

The Full Moon Day, they call it Hta Ma Ne Day, in Thailand they refer to it as Macha Bucha Day.

The Burmese make a fancy meal in enormous woks over an outside fire. It consists of large quantities of sticky rice crushed into oil with added nuts, sesame seeds, ginger and coconut.



Once the fire is going, they keep stirring the ingredients whilst hollering and whooping.



They keep a careful eye on the product as well, to ensure nobody takes more than their share.



They had a television and hi fi system rigged up to a generator, they really were making a big deal out of the celebrations.







Looks like it's almost ready as well.



First sitting coming up.



That was good.




Can I have some more?

Mathos