May
2
Rice, Cows, and Monks
May 2, 2007 |
Nan’s nephew is going to do his ‘buat phra’ - becoming a monk for his mother, and the family is throwing a big party for him. starting may 5th. It’s going to be a 2 day event, and there must be quite a bunch of people to feed as they are slaughtering a cow to feed the guests. So naturally auntie Nan will be there to throw in her culinary expertise. I wish I could be there (salivating).
Her nephew is 21 and apparently this is something all Thai men are expected to do around age 20. He will join the monks as a novice until the rainy season is finished. This is among the things that bring in the most merit in Buddhism, and his mother will also share some of the merit. Women can not become monks, so when a son does it, he mainly do it for his mother.
Else my days are just spent waiting for the next trip over in just four weeks. If all goes well me and Nan is going to meet up with Geoff and Amy for a few beers and a laugh. They are a Thai / Farang couple who is living together in Germany and you can read all about their daily lives together on their blog. They also have a nice discussion forum going for Thai/ Farang couples where like minded people can share ideas, information and humorous stories about just about everything that happens in their relationship.
I got my tickets yesterday and have also booked a pick up truck from the airport, to drive up to Isan with.
Nan is busy these days. She is spending the mornings at her brothers rice farm making ready for the planting. She is going to plant about 2 rai, and the job will take about 4-5 days using a tractor. In October/ November she will harvest enough to cover her households needs and with some left overs to sell which will bring in about 7ooo baht. Not much, and barely covering the costs of planting and harvesting, but she has a few other projects going as well.
She owns 5 cows that are under the care of her aunt. She hopes to make that 10 cows soon. So I plan to acquire a Stetson hat and some crocodile boots for my September move. Maybe my American readers can help me out with a good cowboy look for me.
That’s just about it for now. 
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Comments
4 Comments so far
Wow, this brings a few questions to mind. Is Ae expecting this of Ickyu? And what about military service?
Military service is compulsary for males in Thailand. But it’s done by a draft system. If Ickyu is called in for the draft, there will be a day of physical tests, and those that pass have to draw. The whole family comes allong with the young man and it’s quite a party day and lots of Sanuk.
If you do not pass the physical test or is “lucky” during the draw and do not have to done the uniform, then you will never be called up again, and only about 1/3 of the men called in are drafted.
They of course consider it a big hounor to be in the service of the king. But I have never, ever heard of a mother that is happy if her son goes off to the army.
I read all of that in a blog somewhere but have lost the link
In Norway we also have compulsary service by the way.
Oh and about the Buddha thing. You will have to ask Ae
And perhaps Ickyu will have his own oppinion as well when the time comes 
Thanks for the info. Not sure of the age requirements for service, but I’m 50 years old now, maybe I will have enough energy for some Sanuk when the time comes.
We’ll have to see about his merit to Buddha……