WARNING: This trip is all family-oriented; thus, there is no sightseeing on this trip so this could be one of my more blander travel tales.

 

September 9 - THE FLIGHT

 

My brother Van and sis-in-law Konie dropped my mother and I off at LAX at around 8pm.  We had time before our flight so we grabbed some dinner at the airport.  My mother had udon from Hamada Orient Express.  I enjoyed a nacho chili cheese dog from Pink's.

My nacho chili cheese dog from Pink's.  Tasty!

Our Thai Airways flight took off at 11:20 pm.  The plane accelerated for takeoff but before going airborne suddenly decelerated.  The captain was not satisfied with something so the plane did a loop somewhere for some precautions.  There were three vehicles nearby.  I feared we had to come off the plane.  It turned out we did not have to.  A few minutes later we took off.

My mother and I sat in Premium Economy class.  It's not as nice as business class but the seats were larger and more comfy than standard economy class.  The flight was only half full so I moved to an open section where there was nobody next to me.  This way my mom can also have maximum elbow room.

Three meals were served.  However I only ate the first one.  I am still traumatized from a past flight where I lost my lunch several times on a plane.  During the other meals I just slept through them.

On board I watched The Last Airbender and Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time.  I also played some no limit hold 'em.  Busted out the first two times but finally won on the third try.  I managed to successfully call the system's bluff.

 

September 10 - ARRIVAL

Due to crossing the International Date Line, we skipped the 9th of September and went straight to the 10th.  We arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand at 5:20 am.  I was quickly reminded that it is currently monsoon season.  It rained heavily.  My father came to pick us up.  We arrived at Aunt Ting's place at around 8 am.

There is no itinerary today so I just rested today as I tried to quickly adjust myself to Thailand time.  There is lots to do tomorrow.  Besides, it literally rained all day all night so it was best to just relax here.

While I vegetated, my mom and dad went to visit her eldest sister Aunt Taew and a monk, Venerable Luang Ta Saiyud.  Luang Ta Saiyud is the abbot of Wat Pa Tum Wua located in Mae Hong Son.  He happened to be in Bangkok so my mother definitely took this opportunity to see him.

In trying to stay awake, I played Wii Sports and Mario Kart.  That did help but once I returned to my room, I fell in and out of sleep.  One of the housekeepers, Pom, was nice enough to bring me dinner to my room.  It was rice with little fried chicken wings.  It was good.  However, I passed out once I was done.  When I came to, there were ants all over the leftover chicken bones.  I cleaned up the area real quick but was embarrassed at not being more responsible.  It's also a quick reminder that in a tropical country insects and other creatures are aplenty.

September 11 - ORDINATION

The reason we are here in Thailand is for the funeral services of Uncle Lek (Wanich Jarungidanan), Aunt Ting's husband.  He passed away about a hundred days ago.  Due to this, one of their sons, Kongpat, is going to be a monk for a short time for his father.  Today at 10 am we arrived at Wat Tadtong for his ordination.

Uncle Lek's casket - beautifully painted by his son Kongpat

The first order of business is shaving his head.  All of us took turns snipping off some hair as we say a blessing to him.  A good number of relatives were present.

Taking turns cutting Kongpat's hair

After his head was shaved, Kongpat put on a white robe.  At this point he is a nahk (pre-monk).  There would then be a procession held around the main altar for three revolutions.  Fortunately any rain was very scant and relatively insignificant.  Once done, Kongpat ascended the steps of the main altar and tossed money to the masses below.

Nahk Kongpat bowing to his mother

Inside was the ordination.  At the middle of the ritual, Kongpat then donned the orange robe of a Theravada Buddhist monk.  

Mom and Dad with Venerable Kongpat

Aunt Ting and her son Songfang with Venerable Kongpat

At 4:10 pm we returned to Aunt Ting's place to rest up a little bit.

At 5:55 pm we returned to Wat Tadtong for a final night of sermon and prayer.  More relatives came to this than the ordination.  There were also some special attendees, most notably former Prime Minister Chuan Leegpai.

Aunt Ting and family with dignitaries

Former Prime Minister Chuan Leegpai

That night I had dinner with Aunt Ting's other son Songfang (Keng), her daughter Paega, Paega's husband Dr. Uan, our relative Thom, and their friends at Akiyoshi, a shabu shabu restaurant.  It was very good.

September 12 - CREMATION OF UNCLE LEK

This morning Van and Konie arrived.  Konie began unpacking right away.  Both were still weary from the flight.

Konie and Van

On the way to Wat Tadtong, there were lots of scattered showers.  To our good fortune, the temple was bone dry.  After 2 pm we were back at Wat Tadtong for prayer and the eventual cremation of Uncle Lek.  There were lots of people there.

Left: Van with Aa Mam and Aa Yong.  Middle: Konie with friends Aom (left) and Nun (right).  Right: Dr. Uan with his mother

Left: Dad, Mom, Wanjan, and Pom (head turned).  Middle: Pee Pod and colleague.  Right: Konie's friends Oay and Muai

Left: Wanjan and Top.  Middle: Me with mom and Nun.  Right: Pee Gook and Pee Koi

Part of the masses who attended.  The funeral books were page-turners.

Like tradition, a funeral procession led by the coffin followed by everybody else traveled around the main altar three times.  I think we were real lucky that it wasn't raining and the sun never broke through.

Four salas (covered pavilion) had to be used to house everyone.  Thank goodness they were air conditioned.  Wearing a black suit in Bangkok is not at all comfortable.

Uncle Lek was a very influential person with Grammy Entertainment.  Due to this, there were lots of entertainers including Bird McIntyre, Thailand's greatest pop legend.  However, the most notable attendee was Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (known as Pra Tep).  She is the second daughter of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.  She is Thailand's Princess Royal.

In anticipation of her arrival, a carpet was laid out and affixed to the ground leading from the coffin of Uncle Lek which sat atop the stairs of the cremation chamber and into one of the salas where a chair is placed specifically for her.  Another carpet branched from this one and led to where her car would park.  She would step out of the car and right onto the carpet.  Also officials from the palace instructed Aunt Ting, Keng, Paega, and Dr. Uan on proper conduct and procedure.

Carpet for Her Royal Highness to walk upon

Where Her Royal Highness will be seated

There was a band playing music on the side.  It consisted of traditional Thai instruments as Grammy entertainers took turns on the microphone.

Finally at 5 pm, Her Royal Highness arrived.  She was accompanied by a man holding a purple umbrella to shield her from potential sun and rain.  We all had to stand up.  She walked first to the coffin of Uncle Lek.  Then she descended down the stairs and walked to her designated seat inside of the sala across the way.

Afterwards, all of the guests were able to go up to the coffin and place a flowery thing (sort of like a small corsage) underneath the coffin.  Once we descended to the bottom of the stairs, the men bowed and the women curtsied to the Princess.

After talking a little bit to Aunt Ting, her kids, and Dr. Uan, Her Royal Highness departed.  We all stood and watched her motorcade take off.

People then had one last chance to see the coffin before it entered the cremation chamber.  Aunt Ting was the first up there then down the stairs.  Once she came down she broke down in tears.  Various relatives around, including my parents, came to console her.  She told my dad that he [Uncle Lek] is really gone.  It was hard to watch.  I felt bad for her.  After a chance to compose herself, Aunt Ting was able to once again talk to guests and relatives as if nothing had happened.  I think she has remarkable character and inner strength.

Left: Mom.  Middle: Pee Pod with Venerable Kongpat and colleague.  Right: L to R Pee Pod, Pee Pann, me, Venerable Kongpat, dad, mom

Last group shots

Once guests have departed, I had dinner with my mom and dad at Took Lae Dee, a restaurant inside Foodland Supermarket.  Van and Konie went to eat with Aunt Ting.

September 13 - TO THE SEA

At 6:30 am a multi-seated van picked us up.  On board were my mom, dad, Keng, and the housekeepers Top, Pom, and Nuan.  We headed to Wat Tadtong to pick up Venerable Kongpat.  It was then we realized we left without Thom.  It was so ironic since he woke people up so we would be on time.  Thom made his way to Wat Tadtong via cab.  We went to Wat Tadtong to collect the remains of Uncle Lek.  They were stored in two urns, one big one small.  Then we made offerings to the monks.

Uncle Lek's remains...

some of it placed in this water-soluble urn

The small one is to keep.  The big one to be placed in the sea.

Our van, now including Thom, Van, and Konie, made its way to Sattaheeb.  Others made it there in their own vehicles.  We got there around 11 am.  There we boarded a boat which took us out to sea.  On board we had a last round of prayer.  Then the big urn was brought to the back of the boat.  It was placed into the water.  Since the urn was water soluble, it dissolved leaving Uncle Lek's remains to spread along with flower petals which were tossed into the water by family and relatives.  The boat made three revolutions around Uncle Lek.  Finally we departed and headed back to shore.  It was overcast all day.  However it was still humid as heck.  Strangely there was no wind evidenced by the flag on the boat remaining motionless.

Van looking for that perfect shot

Left: Boat that took us out to sea.  Right: Dad and Van continue to film and snap photos, respectively.

Remnant flower petals which were tossed into the sea with Uncle Lek's remains

Venerable Kongpat, me, Top, and Pom

We enjoyed a lunch buffet at the Samosorn Sunyabat.

Sattaheeb

Afterwards we departed.  We stopped somewhere to do a little shopping.  Unfortunately I was asleep so was unaware where I was.  A lot of people got kao lahm (sticky rice and coconut juice cooked inside a bamboo shoot).  I asked one of the shopkeepers to use the restroom.  I then bought something as a show of gratitude.

Left: Kao lahm.  Right: Konie and Wanjan looking for stuff to buy

Once home, I visited my grandmother.  Later Van and then Konie came, too.  Grandma was in good spirits.  Her caretaker, Mai, left for Nakhon Panom.  She will be back in 3 days.

Grandma and Mai

That evening Keng drove Van, Konie, and I to Isao Japanese fusion restaurant.  There we joined Aunt Ting, Thom, her friend Mai, and her son for dinner.  We enjoyed a lot of tasty sushi, especially Thom and myself because we're hearty eaters.  I actually believe that Thom would kick my butt in an eating contest.  We both recalled years ago when we went with Aunt Ting to Krabi when we tore through shrimp after shrimp.

Once we got home, it rained heavily.

September 14 - CHILLIN' WITH VAN AND KONIE

Van, Konie, and I took the train to join her friends Nun and Aom for lunch at Maboonkrong food court.  After lunch, Konie bought personalized stickers.  We just walked around while the stickers were being prepared.  We then also made our way to other malls Siam Center and Siam Paragon.  We took the train and cab back to Aunt Ting's.

Konie made cupcakes and buffalo wings to add to the night's dinner.  That was about it for this day.

September 15 - GOOD EATS

My parents, Van, and I went to Chachoengsao for lunch at Man U Fishing and Homestay.  We were invited by Uncle Piak who attended Uncle Lek's funeral services.  This place was named after the English soccer club Manchester United since the owner is a big fan.  Our table is on board a raft which is situated on the banks of the Bangpakong River.  Oh my goodness!  This was one of the greatest seafood delights I ever enjoyed.  All of the things we ate are indigenous creatures to this river.  We ate large shrimps, big crab claws, fried fish, and other great stuff.  We ate a lot.  Everything was so tasty.  Konie didn't join us as she was out with friends.

Left: Family in Chachoengsao dining at Man U Fishing and Homestay.  Right: Van and I enjoying our meal

Left: Mom enjoying her meal  Right: A great place for seafood.  Quaint, oddly named, but oh so good

Crab

Giant shrimp legs

Yum, a salad with onions, cashews, herbs, and other goodies

Bodacious prawns

Fried fish

Sweet sugar-soaked fruit of some sort of indigenous plant

We ate on a raft on the banks of the Bangpakong River

Once home, Konie made grilled cheese sandwiches for the housekeepers.  They really enjoyed it.

We had dinner at Kao Tom Buffet located inside Chaophraya Park Hotel.  It's a buffet that includes do-it-yourself rice soup.  My mom's sisters, Aunt Taew and Aunt Tim, were also there.  Also there was Uncle Singto, Aunt Tim's husband.  Food was good.  What I really enjoyed was the rotee.  Always a tasty treat!

September 16 - RAINY DAY

We were back at Wat Tadtong.  We made offerings, including food, to the monks.  It was Venerable Kongpat's last meal as a monk.  Outside the sala were a noodle cook and a fried mussel cook.  Soon afterwards, Kongpat ended his stint as a monk.

Left: Fried mussels with eggs.  Right: Noodle woman

Left: Venerable Kongpat offering food to fellow monks.  Center: Me and Konie.  Right: Top, Konie, and Aunt Ting

I then went with Van and Konie to Big C Supercenter.  We shopped a bit.  Then we got some ice cream at Swensens.  It rained very heavily on the way home.  The wipers wiped away a lot of water with each swipe. The rain that collected on the overpasses came over the sides like waterfalls.  We had to drive through a couple of these.  It was quite a sight to see.

I just chilled out the rest of the night.

September 17 - BIRTHDAYS

My mom and I took the trains to Silom Complex, a mall.  There we met with Aunt Tim.  My mom and her went to Rajdamri Optical because my mom wants new glasses.  Later they went to Srima gold dealers.  Meanwhile I killed time by walking around PowerBuy (it's like Best Buy) and playing video games.  We then had lunch at Black Canyon Coffee.

We then went to Home Fresh Market at another mall called simply "The Mall".  They picked up a few things.

At 7 pm at Aunt Ting's we had a birthday celebration for my mom and I.  Her birthday is tomorrow and mine was on the 13th.  This was Konie's brainchild.  Besides my parents, Van, Konie, and Aunt Ting, present were my mom's sisters Aunt Taew and Aunt Tim, Pee Pod, Pee Pann, Konie's friends Nun, Muai, and Oay), my old friend Todd Nontavarnit, and Suntharaporn singers Pahn, Jap, and Jimmy.  Jimmy joined us later because he had to work late.  Todd is a son of my mom's best friend.  I befriended the singers when they were on tour in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.  I had the pleasure of being their guide to Disneyland on 7/30/10.  Kongpat and Songfang were there briefly.

Left: Aunt Tim and Aunt Taew.  Right: Pee Pann and my dad

Left: Me behind Jimmy, Jap, and Pahn.  Right: Muai and Nun

Left: Konie, Oay, and Van  Right: Better picture of Jap and Pahn

Did I mention there was lots of food?  Aunt Ting is to the left.

There was lots of food that evening.  What I could recall included chicken and pork satay, kanomjeen with green curry, papaya salad, roasted chicken, catfish, fried pork, and noodle-wrapped Chinese sausage.  After dinner, Konie unveiled a cake she had baked for my mother and I.  After singing "Happy Birthday", Pahn and Jap sang a Thai birthday song for us.  That's when my dad discovered how good they sang.  Konie's cake was good.  Jimmy particularly enjoyed it.

Birthday cake via Konie

Aunt Ting gave my mom a pearl necklace.  The singers gave me a picture frame filled with pictures of our time at Disneyland.  I thought that was very sweet of them.

Aunt Ting presenting my mom with a pearl necklace

My father opened a bottle of wine and kept refilling glasses again and again and again...you get the idea.  At 10 pm, Jap took a cab home.  Most of the others took off at 11 pm.  Only Pahn, Jimmy, and Todd remained.  Later a soldier friend of Pahn, Ter, showed up.  They finally left a little after midnight.  Pahn and Jimmy wished I would stay longer since my flight was tomorrow.  I wished I could have stayed longer, too.

I had a great time.  Konie deserves major props for putting this together,

September 17 - THE FLIGHT HOME

All I did was pack my bags and killed time until it was time to take off for home.  I was still beaming from the wonderful birthday last night.  I logged onto facebook via Kongpat's computer.  I was able to chat with Jimmy.  He informed me that after they left, Todd took him, Pahn, and Ter to a bar to drink some more.  He got home at 4 am and was still hungover.  It's unfortunate but he'll live.

Van, Konie, and I took off around 7:30 pm on Thai Airways.  On board I watched the remade "The Karate Kid" with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan.  I also saw "Green Zone" starring Matt Damon.  Thankfully I was able to fall asleep for stretches making this flight seem considerably shorter.

We touchdowned at LAX at around 7:00 pm.  However it took forever to get our bags from the baggage claim carousel.  Also Van and Konie were randomly searched.  Finally we were out of LAX and made our way home.  I smiled as I immersed myself with the cool air of Los Angeles.

It was nice as always to see my grandmother.  Though her memory isn't what it was, I for one will never forget all she has done for me as I was growing up.  It was strange to be in Aunt Ting's place without Uncle Lek around.  We will all miss him.  It is always great to see relatives like Aunt Taew, Aunt Tim, Pee Pann, Pee Pod, and others.  Seeing Todd and Konie's friends is also something I enjoyed.  I was very happy to see Pahn, Jimmy, and Jap again.  We had a terrific time at Disneyland.  I wished the other two singers, Mean and Sun, could have come, too.

Hard to say when I'll be back in Thailand.  Money's kind of tight these days.  Next time I should hope for a longer stay plus some sightseeing.  This time was purely for Uncle Lek.

Farewell Uncle Lek.  Rest in peace.