John

Dengue Fever Season

Jul 282010

This time of year is always a little bit tense for me.

The coming of the rains also bring out all the bugs, including the notorius Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti mosquito, which bites all day long. This mosquito can be the carrier of dengue fever, a flu like disease which kills hundreds every year.

There is no preventative apart from not getting bitten, and once contracted, the only treatment for Dengue fever is rest, fluids, and paracetemol to control fever. if the patient does not fight of the fever themselves the only chance for recovery is a complete blood transfusion as Dengue destroys the blood.

Being an annual danger the authorities do their best to inform people of the dangers, advising that people make sure they do not have standing water nearby, where the mosquitos will breed. They also activate teams to go to peoples homes and spray with mosquito killing gas.

This weekend it was the turn of our village and on Saturday morning our whole Childrens Home compound , including indoors got a good gassing.

Independant Monitoring at Stratton House Childrens Home

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Jul 232010

On Wednesday 21st I went for a long overdue meeting with Khruu Khem of Huay Sai School. Huay Sai is one of the schools on www.thaischoolsenglish.org, a project run in association with our Foundation, with a view to promoting English language learning in the local community.

Having been very busy ensuring registration for the Foundation I had been unable to give the thaischoolsenglish project any time over recent months. Now as I consolidate my daily routine I hope to resume my assistance with this worthwhile project.

In return Khruu Khem has agreed to be a regular visitor to the home, by way of offering some independant monitoring of our work.

She will come to visit the Childrens Home and be able to speak freely with the children on all aspects of their life here at Stratton House.

A Day of Contrasts.

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Jul 232010

For so long I have been far too busy to get out and about and enjoy some proper freetime for myself.

So it was a welcome break from day to day work , with The Stratton ABC Foundation, when I took a long overdue ride out with my good friend Ally.

Meeting for coffee at the WiFi Coffee shop at Chiang Mai Paintball, on the road from Sarapee to Hang Dong,

we sat for a chat and Ally kitted me out with a walkie talkie so that we could communicate whilst riding.

At around 9.30 we heading off along the River Ping, towards Lamphun. Its a lovely ride along the river , with so much to see.

If you do it don’t rush, take your time and get a real insight into life along the river.

There are many pituresque views to be spotted, especially at this time of year with everything growing so fast and full of lush shades of green.

There was quite alot of activity along the waterway with local people harvesting the river plants.

And it was a day of contrasts where we watched many harvesting by hand, either wading of in small boats;

and further down the river saw a large mechanised harvesting boat, operated by a local lady.

You can also find many fish farms along the way.

Again see the contrast between the more advanced and well cared for operations, with air being pumped into the tanks;

and the less cared for where the healthy fish share their tanks with the dead.

Ally has done this route many times , so knows it well and stopped at a delightful little coffee shop run by an elderly Thai lady.

Its a lovely spot to sit and take a break, the coffee was very good and there are icecreams and other snackfood available snackfoods .

Ally got a phonecall at the coffee shop and whilst waiting for her to finish, I carried on up the road a little and popped into a small Wat. From the outside it didn’t look so exciting; but inside the grounds was a mini treasure trove of sculptures.

I had to smile at this wonderful elephant on wheels which actually turned out to be a mobile light source, with cable and plug coming from its rear end and a light bulb in its trunk.

To the rear of the Temple were many sculptures, including one of some very grotesque looking demons.

As I took photos the Monk in residence came out to greet me and seeing my interest, eagerly led me round to the Temples scared tree which was adorned with yet more sculptures of birds and insects.

We had a lovely chat, where I surprised my self with my increased grasp of Thai language.

Again I failed in good reporting, having neglected to take a notebook with me and can not remember his name, but I would like to extend thanks for the warm welcome and much respect for this gentle Phra.

A way down from the coffee shop we stopped briefly to snap some Lamyai harvesting at a small family home.

This year the rains have been less than usual and Lamyai are relatively expensive due to the shortage of decent sized fruits.

By the time we stopped for lunch, having turned of the river road towards Hang Dong, the rains that had been threatening all morning got closer.

added to this was that Allys phonecall had been work related and meant that she needed to get back earlier than planned.

Having sat and enjoyed some Barmee Duck, thats yellow noodles with duck, we decided to head back to Ally’s house for coffee and a movie.

I can’t believe its the first time I’ve been to Allys home. And a lovely home it is to. Unfortunately none of the photos I took do the house justice, so that will have to wait for next time. If there is a next time after my apparent recent curse with toilets struck yet again(inside joke).

It was very nice to see Allys partner and my fellow Foundation Director, Pee Took, who was just on her way out.

Sitting in the comfort of Allys home office watching the latest version of Sherlock Holmes was a great end to a very enjoyable day off the stresses of my busy schedule.

So if you are looking for a chilled day out with some real Thai life to be seen, grab a bike and head off along the River Ping. Enjoy!

For more photos please visit our photobucket album here.

Favour Swap Shop – a Great Idea For The New Age

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Jul 192010

Ian, bit of a nutter but salt of the earth, good idea mate!

I’ve long said that we have got far to ahead of our selves and there is much about the modern way of life that has been fast destroying our communities. So I am very happy to have heard from an old workmate of mine, in the UK, about his new website which offers a step back from the usual consumerism. Take a step back in time to the days of barter and neighbourlyness. This wonderful site gives a modern day platform for people to ask for help, from people in their community, in return for either money or like favours or maybe goods of some sort. There is also a swap section.

Its early days for the website and I know that its creator, Ian, wants to expand and improve the concept in time. At the moment it is UK based but I know that if the interest is there Ian would like to see it go world wide. One of the great things with this site is that it also plans to assist Charities by donating a percentage of all transactions to Charities chosen by the customers.

I think that we all know that, although we would like our governments to do more, if we really want to regain proper civilised communities it is up to us to do something about it. I truely believe that the ideas behind this website offer some assistance towards this aim. Take a look and spread the word:)

Getting Set For My Work Permit

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Jul 122010

Now we have completed the registration process for our Foundation project, The Stratton ABC Foundation, it is time for me to apply for my new work permit as Foundation Director. Today I went into Chiang Mai to prepare the nesseccary for this.

First of it was to the Fuji photoshop on Moon muang Rd, close to Johns Place(nothing to do with me), where I had four photos done, (4.5 x 5.6-i think). The proprietor is aware of the correct size needed if you tell him its for a work permit. The whole process takes about 15 minutes and cost 100 baht.

From there I went to Chiang Mai Ram Hospital on Arak Rd, for a health certificate and blood test for syphillis. This is where things went a bit askewd. I needed to produce my passport, which i thought I had taken. Unfortunately I had taken the empty cover! So it looks like I need to go back tomorrow.

After that hiccup I popped into Kad Suan kaow Shopping Plaza to pick up the reading glasses that I ordered last week.

I can highly recommend the ” Beautiful Optical” shop, on the ground floor of the Plaza. close to the Bangkok Bank.

They have a wide range of frames and lenses to suit all pockets. There is a free eye test, using computerised scanning equipment to assess your precise needs, and the service is very friendly.

After a brief session of window shopping it was back home to get on with website work.

From Chiang Mai To Vientiane(3 month Visa) and Back–all Good Bar A Crazy Toilet.

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Jul 092010

This should be quite an informative write up for anyone needing a 3 month visa for Thailand. Having recently set up The Stratton ABC Foundation and finally got registered it was time for me to end my current Visa and change for Non- immigrant B.

Armed with the nessecary paperwork; in this case the Foundation registration paperwork,(copies); my passport and 2 passport photos and a letter from the Foundation stating my need to come to Thailand to fulfil my obligations to the Foundation, I headed off to Vientiane, with my friend Somboon, early Tuesday evening.
The day before I had booked seats on a minibus to Nongkhai,(1200 baht per person), through Queen Bee Tours, on Moon Muang Rd, Chiang Mai.
We were due to meet the Mini bus driver at 7pm. One of our neighbours kindly gave us a lift into town and we were there at half past 6. Just as well we were early because I had actually forgotten the passport photos and had time to get them done at the Fuji shop just up the road from Queen Bee,( 100 baht for 6).
The minibus arrived just after 7 and it was clear that it was going to be full. Indeed, after picking up two more from a hotel on the way to the minibuses travel office, the bus was so full there was one person sitting in the middle in the ‘cab’ of the bus.
The wait at the Aya Service office, close to the train station, was probably the most annoying part of the trip. we seemed to be there for an age, processing everyones ticket , etc. It was after 8pm before we finally left Chiang Mai.
Despite the lack of leg room, I have to say that the bus was very comfortable and the driver very sensible. So many Thai bus drivers seem to think they are in a Grand prix….but this one was very good and I felt totally safe.
There were a couple of short fuel stops on the way where we got to stretch our legs and use the toilet and at around 5.30am we were at Nong Khai for breakfast by the river, at Ruen Rim Nam, before carrying on to The Friendship Bridge just up the road.
Getting out of Thailand was quick for me but I had to wait about half an hour for Boon to get the nesseccary forms done and completed for him to get a 3 day pass.
We then joined the bridge bus to the Lao immigration point.

Luckily, while I was waiting for Boon I had managed to get the two white forms needed for the entry visa into Lao from a bus tour worker who had a surplus. having filled them out while waiting for Boon I was able to join the entry queue with no further delay.
It was, however, quite a long queue and the total wait for handing in my passport with payment(1500), and getting the passport back was a little over an hour.
Still Boon had been busy whilst waiting for me and had arranged a taxi direct to the Thai Consulate for a very reasonable 300 baht.
At the Embassy before 9 we were all done there by just before 10.

We chose to go over the road to what appears to be a newly opened restaurant/bar.

The food was excellent and the prices very reasonable, as their sign says. We paid around 380 baht for 3 dishes and 2 iced teas and 1 iced coffee.

The servings were very generous and the service very good.
We then took a tuk tuk to Avenue Lane Xang, about 10 minutes ride, where we had stayed in a very nice hotel last time we visited Vientiane.
Unfortunately when we enquired the hotel was full. So we took the short walk across the road to The Kham Khoun Hotel and got a twin air-con room, with TV and shower room for 700 baht, breakfast included.
We showered and slept for a while before taking a walk down to the Monument to relax in the shade.
Still tired from the travelling we returned to the hotel for a very good steak dinner and a quiet night in.
Our friend Marc, one of our first customers in our guest house days, who is currently working as an english teacher in Vientiane, popped in to say hello, which was nice.

We also met his lovely girlfriend Ivana.

The next morning we were up reasonably early for breakfast, which was ok but I won’t rave over it.
We were just killing time really and took a walk around the nearby market and then back down to the Monument for a while, before heading back to the Hotel to check out before midday.

Then it was over to the Consulate again where we returned to the restaurant opposite for lunch, before joining the queue of people waiting to collect their passports and Visas, when the Consulate opened at 1pm.

That process was very quick and we were out by 1.30pm. A tuk tuk ride back to the hotel where we then booked tickets for the VIP bus back to Chiang Mai. this was also 1200 baht per person; but this included transport to Vientiane bus station and the international bus from Vientiane to Udonthani where we boarded the VIP bus.

The international bus left Vientianne at 4pm and we got to Udon at around 6.30, having an hour and a halfs wait for the VIP bus which left at 8pm.

There was a twenty minute stop at Phitsanulok, with free food included in the bus ticket price; again I’ll not say too much about the food, just that I didn’t partake.

The bus was very comfortable and again the drive was not as reckless as I have known such journeys in the past. I managed to sleep quite well.

The only problem was a toilet trip I had to make shortly before arriving at Chiang Mai. When I pressed the flush water poured out at great speed shooting out of the toilet and soaking my trousers. It threatened to flood the bus for a while. God knows what the other passengers thought when I came out!
We arrived back in Chiang Mai Arcade bus station at 6.30am and got a taxi home to Mae Salab for 250 baht.
I’d slept so well on the bus I was even able to complete the morning school run to Sarapee.

For more photos please visit our photobucket album here.

Life is Good

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Jun 252010

Woh! So long since I’ve sat down to write anything on this site. Its been a busy year, hampered by having no home internet and little time to spend in the internet shops. Thankfully we now have broadband at home again and there will be more and more new posts appearing here in the near future.

Todays post is just to say that life is good. Our Foundation Project, The Stratton ABC Foundation is going well and we now take care of 9 children from disadvantaged backgrounds, all from Northern Thai Provinces.

Today I visited nearby Sarapee, to watch a Parade involving two of our children who attend Mattayom 1 and 2 in Sarapee.

Its a sad reflection of todays society that parents around the world have little time to attend such events and I feel blessed that it is my job to make the time to do so. many children do not understand the constraints put on their parents, by modern day living. I’ m sure, like myself, you can remember the good feeling whenever your parents turned up to see you take part in something; sports day, a school play maybe. That feeling that they wanted to give up their time for you, to take pride in what you were doing.

I firmly believe that if we want to salvage any semblence of civilsed society, governments around the world should move to create a situation where parents are allowed paid time off work to attend such occasions if need be.

Kids are left to fend for themselves too much these days, and the apparent lack of interest in their activities, by their parents, leads to all sorts of problems for society as those children get older.

Thailand, like most countries these days, is battling a spread in the drink and drug culture in the younger generations, and todays Parade appeared to be addressing this issue and promoting healthy lifestyle.

The Parade went from Sarapee Train Station, where I dropped our two older children early in the morning, down the old Lamphun-Chiang Mai road through the first part of Sarapee and ending at Sarapee Pittiyakom School.

It was a lively colourful event with a Marching Band at the lead;

the local Police were represented by some very jolly looking Policemen and women;

and a few colourful floats following the anti drink and drug theme made for a well worthy Parade.
For more photos of this event please visit our photobucket album here.

If you want to know more about how you could help our Foundation project please follow any of these links;
Our Foundation Shop……here you can buy items produced by the children, such as greetings cards; sponsor a child; or maybe check out
our Wishlist and sponsor the purchase of items we need;…and more

Our main Foundation website.

Our Thai language website which is being constructed by the children themselves.

Valentines Day….Send Your Love to a Friend and Make Some Special Children Happy

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Feb 042010

Its that time of year again where love is in the air.

Take a moment to consider the origins of Valentines Day.

Before the day was high-jacked for lovers, it was originally meant for

close and trusted friends and companions.

So why not send a card to all your loved ones on this special day.

Even better, purchase your cards from The Stratton ABC Foundation online shop.

You will find a lovely collection of designs produced by the children at Stratton House Childrens Home, Chiang Mai.

They very much need your support so make both them and your closest friends happy and order today.

Foot therapy at Kad Suan Kaow

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Feb 022010

During a visit to Chiang Mai this weekend I came across this interesting stall in the lower floor of Kad Suan Kaow shopping Plaza. Foot therapy in the manner of letting lots of little fish feed on your dead skin.
I decided to try it out, even at 99 baht for just 15 minutes. As it was, the girl on the stall told me that a special promotion meant that I would get 30 minutes for the same price.
After first washing my feet, I took my place, dangling my feet into one of the several large tanks on display. It wasn’t long before the tiny fish started munching, and I have to say that this therapy was not as pleasant as I’d hoped.
It felt like lots of mini-electric shocks as the fish enjoyed a banquet of dead foot skin. I’m also not sure of the hygeine factor as I would imagine that, with many different feet going into these tanks, the water ought to be changed each time. This didn’t happen. I watched for a while and it was simply a scooping out of floating dead skin between customers.
As for the after effects. Immediately after my feet were quite sore, although only similar to after a skin stripping pedicure. But the day after I developed a deep crack in the skin of my big toe, where most of the fish had been feeding.Coincidence maybe, as i do suffer such ailment occassionally in this climate, but I don’t think I’ll be trying this therapy again for a long while.

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