Wanchai and the bears at De Hug hotel
( that is as close as you are getting to a bare photo on this blog Zaid!)
I love traveling and make a point of meeting the locals rather than hanging out in the tourist spots and British Bars. I try and find out about the local culture, food and visit and photograph places of interest, off the beaten track. So when I had to cancel my summer 2019 trip to Sri Lanka due to a terrorist attack I messaged my friend in Pattaya, Wanchai, and said how would you like to go and see your family? He jumped at the chance and I met him in Pattaya, then we went to Bangkok, flew to Chiang Mai for a week and got the coach to Chiang Rai. As usual Kevin suggested a good hotel to stay in ( De Hug- http://dehughotel.com/?lang=en )
The hotel had a great theme, Hugging bears, and they were everywhere, in the Lobby, on the key fob, and even the salt and pepper hugged! The staff were very friendly, it was in a great location and we found a fantastic restaurant nearby with a Thai guitarist/ singer where we ate most nights.
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I let Wanchai order for both of us as he spoke the local dialect |
As well as exploring the town ( easy to walk around like Chiang Mai) we booked on a day long cookery course which included the habitual trip to the market to get your fresh ingredients, welcome drink, photos and an on line menu collection for recipes of all the dishes we cooked and more! It was an amazing day out in a beautiful setting. If you want to know more check out their website on
Our cookery class in Chiang Rai
The highlight of the week for me was meeting Wanchai's family and friends which meant a 2 hr. drive from the hotel with his aunt and her child to the house, which was up in the hills. Word spread fast that he was home and his parents brought out fans to keep us cool on the verandah as we talked. Then his school friends arrived with a case of beer and two barbecue units and a whole load of food. Eventually even his younger brother, Way, who had been playing football turned up and made the traditional Wei and blessing to the Farang visitor. The neighbours arrived next and soon a major party was underway, with some of them managing a few words of English and me smiling and making a Wei for each new arrival.
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Wanchai with his friends from school |
We did manage some sightseeing as well including the amazing White Temple and Black Museum, a few markets and a walk down to the beach. I can recommend the temple, the museum was a bit weird, and you certainly don't want to go to the beach in Chiang Rai!
The White Temple
It was only when we flew back to Bangkok that I realised Wanchai had never flown before. I also realised , seeing the limited opportunities where he lived, why he had left home to make money in Pattaya, as do so many other young boys and girls in Thailand. It is sad that they can earn more in a day in Walking street or Boyztown than they can for a month of hard work in a farm or factory back home. I just hope that his brother , Way, does not follow in his brothers footsteps. We took him some books for school and a rucksack and some football kit , and when he and his mum went to Pattaya for his birthday I sent Wanchai some money to buy a cake and nice meal for them all.
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The very shy Way, ready for school the morning after the night before! |
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Wanchai at the Black Museum
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Hello, I am The British Kabayan! Feel free to read my stories.
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