Smiler

Let me make it absolutely clear that I don’t like or support in anyway these magnificent creatures being paraded around etc etc. But this wonderful old boy has been visiting our village for a lot longer than the 15 years I have known him. Indeed he used to work on the land up to 10 years ago. Good to meet him again this morning 👍

Rest in Peace Jan, no more pain ❤️. Thinking of you Gal, sending love and positive thoughts to help you get through.

12 or so years ago I had a kick about with some older Thai blokes and unsurprisingly failed dismally at it. They didn’t do the acrobatics I saw today but all the same, the ball control was way, way beyond me.

Spent an hour or so at the inter village sports tournament. Football, volleyball and this game Damn the players are skilled and athletic. Pulled both my hamstrings just watching 🤕. Lots of court side in game betting going on between the village headmen, it really was exciting (even if you don’t quite understand the scoring 👀) with the game decided on the final play of the match.

Wandering around with my chopper out….. IMG_0341.MOV Making an attempt to tidy the Eucalyptus plantation up a bit.

I threw one for a girlfriend Everybody came You should of seen her face….

An old engineering machine shop floor saying when very busy - I don’t know if my arsehole is punched, bored, drilled or countersunk.

There is a fairly high profile English guy and his Thai wife who blog around Isaan. I managed to endure 5 minutes of one of their vids, that was more than enough of the self importance. I saw them at Central in Udon, he threw a hissy fit over something or other and made a twat of himself. She was trying to disown him. Couple of hours later they walk into the Brickhouse and to their credit, ask Max (the boss) if they can film at a table. He said no, too many people and that was that. No drama, they obviously knew Max and sat at the bar with him for the rest of the time I was there.

It’s the big day tomorrow for the lad who is going to don the monk robes. This evening 90 kgs of moo arrived and now there is at least 25 people preparing the porker. The guys would appear to be doing the heavy work with the big blades ( and loakow of course). The more delicate butchering is being taken care of by the women. Certainly a great atmosphere with lots of laughter. Might get a bit messy later on. Events like this are what family and “the village” are all about. It’s not for everyone of course but I feel privileged to be involved.

Just back from my mate the viking's house. Turns out the bloke in this story https://thepattayanews.com/2023/12/01/norwegian-motorcyclist-drives-into-dangling-cable-and-gets-injured-in-sattahip/ is his brother. He had a 3 year relationship with Mrs Smiler's niece but that is long over and done with. Spent quite a bit of time with him when he first came to the village. Poor bastard is in a bit of a state - broken collar bone, broken hip, 3 broken ribs and a punctured lung. Mrs viking is off down to Pattaya tomorrow to try and make some sense of it all. Seems like the Police are activlly pushing the company responsible for the cable to take care of hospital bills etc.

DM ed you

How long are you in Udon matey?

Well it doesn’t get much more exciting than this thrill seekers. A real “out there” adventure for the adrenaline junkies who like life on a knife edge…… Making “good luck” tokens for a family member’s forthcoming ceremony to become a monk. Each token contains 1 baht wrapped in a brightly coloured bit of fabric, held together by a laky band and even a ribbon for some. I think I may have peaked too early - only another 234 to go. Living the dream…..

I arrived at 14:30 Thursday last week. Was busy but not as bad as your pics. That said I went to arrivals 2. Wondering if one gets busier than the other?? Took around 20 mins to clear immigration but at least 5 mins of that was chatting to the very nice, friendly imm officers. “Boooeeee farang poot Isssaaaan etc etc”. Got into the baggage hall near belt 18 and had to walk down to belt 5. I stopped for a change of clothes and a fresh up mid way at the toilets. Suitcase just dropped down onto the carousel as I arrived. Swampy arrivals was the busiest I have seen since before COVID, not far from capacity I am guessing. Seemed to flow quite well tbh and wasn’t too painful.

Fair fucks to Buzz 👍not sure when that was filmed but he is got to be getting on a bit. Good on him for punching the twat 👍

If you ever met him (is he still alive?) how long would it be before you asked him about walking on the moon?? 😀🫤

Today I met an Englishman who lives relatively near to the village. I learned that he likes to drink alcohol, as much as possible, as often as possible and as cheaply as possible. Alcohol is his sole topic of conversation and would appear to be his very reason for living. That’s 5 minutes of my life I’ll never get back…

I am at Swampy waiting for my flight to Udon. After domestic check in I nipped outside for a ciggie and met a guy who I last saw almost exactly 2 years ago in exactly the same place. We did the covid quarantine thing together. Good to see him and catch up. We both were wondering what are the chances etc etc.

If I am off the weed (which I have been for a while now) then yes. Had a fantastic dirty dream just last night as it happens, absolutely marvelous, I kind of realized I was dreaming and made the most of it😃. I used to keep a dream diary years ago which I would keep by the bed and record any dreams as soon as I woke.

Mate when word of his “pet lie lie” eating prowess got out, people were turning up with various dishes to challenge him - he ate them all and now enjoys the nickname “Falang pet Yai “

No - if the the amount of chillis mean that I can't taste what I am eating then I don't eat it. Fresh chilli makes me hic-up profusely for about 5 mins, much to the amusement of some people..... I do however love the Thai foods that build in heat and intensity as you consume. Got a mate who is a real chilli freak, the guy regularly competes in chilli eating contests here in England, he is always looking to go one hotter and got a lot of respect when he first came to visit in the village.

Must have been a good 10 years ago that I had a haircut at the place on the corner of Soi Farang in Udon (not sure if it is there now). I got a stiffie while having my hair washed and as with all unwanted erections, this was a diamond cutter or big horse’s handbrake that would just not go away. Mrs smiler was waiting and I remember the “what the f**k?” look on her face as I shuffled almost bent double from the wash basin chair to the other side of the salon. Oh to be younger again 👀

Legend My first hero Rest in Peace Sir Bobby