Udon Thani governor invites udontalk members

[UdornLA]

a bump up, and little advice, if coming out tomorrow, allow some extra driving time, even though 50 ish kms from udon, it may take a while. no delays today, as i am here now. the 'homestay' i was going to recon and consider earlier this was full, news crews took over the place, so i was told, but found the last ac room at another well situated one for a slightly inflated price. Ree checked it out then i came up few minutes later, and brain surgeon that she is, didn't ask how much till i got there. 800, ac, shared clean bath, a frown from me, and turn to walk away, 600, ok. i'm here and looks like it me be a fun day. plus, there basically isn't anything else around. the town is done out rather nice, lots of flowers about, vendors on the main street headed toward museum, with main street with no vendors, but block to traffic, as are a couple side streets feeding main street. took a few pics w/phone, but don't have cable for comp hook up, so will have to wait until tomorrow night. food options are a bit limited, lodging is probably not practical now, though i didn't go looking. they do have a fan room or 2 here, but doubt if will last long. if familiar with ban chaing, next to museum is a lake area, and vendors line that area also, which i haven't ventured over there yet. think i'll wait till the sun starts to goes down for that, bit hot out there. a lite noodle soup munch, always safe and just relaxing. pleasant day, if not making it here today or tomorrow, it is supposed to go on for week or more, and the town never looked better. festive and in bloom.................. ++)(* ++)(* ++)(*

[Beda]

I would've thought someone at level of governor would know better than to use the term 'farang'. Does Arnie call non-Americans 'wetbacks'?

[UdornLA]

off my lazy butt and back out in the heat, some shade since sun on the other side, so a stroll and pick at some of the food, waiting till just finished, i'll take it. retook pics with camera, so can post. first is the very upscale 'basic' accomodations, alway an adventure.


though appears to be the place to be photographed

me the smart arse, photo of the photographers

couple flower displays



getting ready for a tractor parade

in case you want a romantic ride

we would be in thailand without 4 full surge protectors all plugged into the same socket


have a couple stages set up, one large, and music and drum beating, so glad i got my meds for snoozing, mama didn't raise no fool. great having a bad back, they give you script for muscle relaxers. ++)(*

[UdornLA]

Video of front of museum area and main street, OTOP, and vendors. Not a lot of people out just yet, but started to as we headed back to room. Guess avoiding the sun more than myself. Vendors all selling the usually crap at these things, a couple exceptions and unique things. Though the permanent stores, sell ban chiang novelties and what not, some nice things at nice prices. I did a bit of shopping here a couple times at same shop, nice women and has cheaper prices, or used to, didn’t check, as not in shopping mode. If exiting the museum, she is on the left, 2nd vendor in, larger shop, though they look connected, as that used to be her sister on the corner. She owns the building, so told me she sells cheaper because no overhead, don’t know, but she was cheaper and sold some things much cheaper when I bought a few. She even remembered when I returned again and gave me nice discount when I was stocking up on little house items.

Video link below, a rather large file, though just over 1 minute long, so if having a slow conx, may want to wait till at faster conx place:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPBouHStMe0

[DukeNukem]

I would've thought someone at level of governor would know better than to use the term 'farang'. Does Arnie call non-Americans 'wetbacks'?

yes i would agree with you there. i think a more polite phrase is khon-daeng-chat or person of foreign nationality. or khaek as in guest. i think the term farang is used so often in the derogatory sense i cringe when i hear it. :x

[UdornLA]

Smaller video file, bit more colorful and festive area, only 30 seconds:



There may have been a communication or translation oops, as it seems the grand opening affair was last night, Friday 11, instead of today as posted, or they plan on redoing everything again, which I would doubt. The Govener and vip’s all seemed to out and about last night, especially at our homestay, phote opportunities for all. Though owner just finished last week and isn’t even done painting and the sod has just been laid.

Today, shortly after breakfast, the town was invaded by school students, by the thousands, and since strolled around and munched a bit yesterday, didn’t see the point of staying much longer after short browse or shops.

Last night was a grand affair, which I watched, slightly from the veranda of accomodations. Very large parade, followed by much talking, that I could hear in the distance, then a fireworks display, which I was relaxing by then, and figured by the time I put clothes on, it would be over, and it basically was, Ree peeked out of the door for few seconds, wow, ooh, aah, ok……..no what…………..music music music, till shy of 1 am.
No need for alarm clock this morning as rooster crowing, cats doing a stand off, dogs barking and a little gong banging. Up at 6 am and in the shower………..oh joy. A very pleasant overnighter though.

[Brick]

Oh well, getting the dates wrong is a Thai speciality! Can only go on the information provided. At least your visit seems to have gone ok. Was contemplating whether to come, but F-in-L borrowed the car anyway (well, the car ain't mine either, so not in my control). As for use of the term Farang, may just be down to the translator. Personally, I do not take affront; maybe the government should come up with a simple, straight forward word which will cover non-asian visitors. Political correctness has not caught on yet in Thailand; which in many ways is a blessing; in UK if you open your mouth without thinking first of the right form of address to ANYONE (old, young, male, female and any ethnic group or religion) you could end up loosing your job or possibly in court!

[UdornLA]

farang...................foreigner, westerner, round eye........ *****

[Khon Kaen 1895]

What is wrong with the term, 'farang'? Has it taken on an offensive slant recently?

[Beda]

What is wrong with the term, 'farang'? Has it taken on an offensive slant recently?

It's always been used in an offensive way at times, and whichever way you look at the word it's slang and hardly in keeping with being used for 'official purposes' (for want of a better description).