Informal Northern Thai Group Bulletin 06 October 2019

1. Last MEETING (449th): TUESDAY, 17 September 2019, Chiang Mai “"Sattahip" by Rong Wongsawan - A Story of the American Military and ”. A talk by Siamrad Maher. 2. NEXT MEETING (450th): TUESDAY, 08 October 2019, 7:30 pm at the Alliance Française, Chiang Mai “Wrestling with Notions about Our Neighbors: Thai-ness & the Thai”. A talk by Herbert Swanson. 3. A list of works by and about the Thai writer Rong Wongsawan (1932-2009) available at the EFEO library in Chiang Mai and compiled by Louis Gabaude 4. 1ST NOVEMBER MEETING (451st): TUESDAY, 12 November 2019, 7:30 pm at the Alliance Française, Chiang Mai “Honey bees: their importance and interactions with humans in Southeast Asia”. A talk by Panuwan Chantawannakul. 5. FUTURE MEETINGS. 6. INTG CONTACTS: CONVENOR - SECRETARY - WEBSITE.

1. LAST MEETING (449th) - TUESDAY, 17 September 2019, Chiang Mai “"Sattahip" by Rong Wongsawan A Story of the American Military and Thailand” A talk by Siamrad Maher + 9 readers

1.1. PRESENT: Hans Bänziger, Saengdao Bänziger, Daniel Bellamy, Owen Bersot, Elliot Boinais, Patricia Bow, Robert Bow, John Butt, Martha Butt, Leo Ellis, Eric Eustache, Olivier Fauchereau, Michael Ray Fitzgerald, Louis Gabaude, Frederic Gloor, Graham Jefcoate, Min Thaw Htun, Preston Jewett, Emily Hamel, Terence A. Harkin, Patrick Morel, Khuned Sachdev, Princess Ying Sita, Suriya Smutkupt, Winnie Tan, Dagmar Waters, Rebecca Weldon. Signed: 27; Counted: 39, including the 9 readers.

1.2. THE TALK:

Siamrad Maher began by introducing himself and the author Rong Wongsawan as well as his book "Sattahip". A reading of extracts from this book by Payap University Students followed.

Siamrad Maher is a Payap University student, who is doing internship as a Thai Literary Studies translator. He is under the tutelage of Dr. Tony Waters, the head of Doctor of Philosophy Studies in Peacebuilding at Payap University. Siamrad is a Thai and American citizen, having been adopted from Thailand and grew up in

America. He retired from the US Air Force in 2010, after completing 23 years of honorable service. During his active duty years, he served as an aerospace medical technician and as a Thai translator. He was the lead and only translator on numerous missions in Thailand, such as the annual Cobra Gold exercises and the tsunami humanitarian medical missions of 2004. He was awarded a Navy achievement medal and named one of the top performers—as he was the only Thai translator for a multi-service medical team that conducted medical missions in multiple remote villages in Thailand.

Rong Wongsawan (1932-2009) was a Thai author, journalist, and photographer who wrote over 100 books and thousands of articles. He was recognized and inducted in the National Culture Commission in 1995. He is best remembered for his relentless exploration of the expressive potential of his own language, and as a writer who could approach topical and often unsavory themes with a rare brand of insight, honesty and wit. Sattahip was a book published in 1972, detailing the effects of the American military on the people and towns that were located by U-Tapao Airbase.1 Rong wrote the stories as a first person writer, who conducted interviews with the Thais that were working in the town of Sattahip.2 The stories includes interviews with rental wives, big mafia boss, and business and bar owners in the near by towns of U-Tapao.

The translation of the book, along with experiences and difficulties of translating were discussed. A script reading of a few scenes was performed by students from Payap International College, Siamrad Maher, Tony Waters and John Butt. The scripts had been written by Tony Waters, and the readings were coordinated by Michael Day from the Payap English Communication Department.

Script Play Reading from Sattahip (1972) by Rong Wongsawan

Roles: Rong Wongsawan as narrator Rong Wongsawan as actor Rong’s Co-worker Sattahip Friend Song thaeo3 Driver Two on-lookers Big Boss Girl 1 Girl 2

Scene 1

Narrator: - The situation has changed for this town. Sattahip has never seen a big business boom like this before—whether or not they involve Americans that are pink, or black. Our friend watches as people hurriedly walk past the bars, and he said, “Becoming rich here is like they had predicted. If you can see it happen, then even the hard things to do become easy.” Working in the bar business, you must be careful and be attentive to details.

Co-Worker - It’s like any other kind of work, you must know about the heart of the matter—being lucky is also a part of it.

1 U-Tapao (อู่ตะเภา) Airbase—located in Ban Chang district (), , Thailand—was built by the United States in 1965-66 to accommodate B-52s for missions in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia during the American Vietnam War. U-Tapao was a front-line base along with the other US bases at Korat, Udon, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, and Takhli. This former American base is now "U-Tapao International Airport", a joint civil–military public airport serving Rayong and Pattaya cities. [Editor's note] 2 Sattahip (สัตหีบ) is a district (amphoe) in , Thailand. In Pāli and in Thai, satta means 'seven', while hip (Thai: หีบ) means 'box' or 'barrier'. Thus 'Sattahip' is said to refer to the 'seven barriers', which are the islands that protect the coast of the district: Ko Phra, Ko Yo, Ko Mu, Ko Tao Mo, Ko Nen, Ko San Chalam and Ko Bo. [Editor's note] 3 A songthaeo (in Thai "สอง แถว" = "two rows") is a passenger vehicle used in Thailand and Laos. Adapted from a pick-up or a larger truck and roofed, it has normally two benches on the rear platform for "two rows" of passengers to sit. [Editor's note]

Narrator - He said that from what he had seen, and what he had read from the newspapers, the current number of American airmen at U-Tapao Air Base is not less than 7000.

Co-Worker - The Army soldiers has about 3000 personnel at Samaesan base, which makes the total add up to 10,000.

Narrator - He grabbed a piece of napkin and unfolded on the table, next to the whiskey. With a ballpoint pen, he started writing on the napkin and said:

Co-Worker - Let’s think about the numbers—let’s say the average American soldier spends 1500 baht a night for his happiness at the bar with a girl.

Rong - What rank is he?

Co-Worker - It doesn’t matter— I have the numbers chart at home, if you want to see it. It’s not necessary, I already figured it out—whether or not they’re high or low ranking—they spend about the same amount every month.

Rong - 1500 baht times 10,000. That means you add four more zeros to the end, which means the total is— 15,000,000!

Co-Worker - 15 million baht! That is just only the minimum number—the true number is way higher than that! The bottom line is that there are at least 15 million baht rotating around the bars every month. Just imagine how much that is in a year?!

Rong - 180 million baht!

Co-Worker - You see, it’s not a just little money we’re talking about— and that is the hope and dreams of everyone doing business here!

Rong - It’s a gigantic opportunity!

Co-Worker - And this is only for the bars, and the bargirls. There’s also other opportunities, such as renting houses, bungalows, hotels, and the transportation and taxi services— all the things that the Americans use, so they can spend their money.

Rong - Do you have time to spend with me here in Sattahip? Maybe about 2-3 days?

Co-Worker - It’s hard to tell. To tell you the truth, I might or might not have time—I can’t give you an answer now. Let’s wait until tomorrow—if we meet again.

Rong - Do you think you might have any recommendations for me?

Co-worker - Just ask me.

Rong - Where should we go first?

Co-worker - Ten kilos from here!

Narrator - The night made them weak and sleepy, it was after midnight. There were so many questions. So they returned to their hotel rooms. I wonder what is there to see—10 kilos from here?

Next Day

Narrator - They looked around Kilo 10, looking for something to see, and to take photographs for their newspaper. A song thaeo came speeding down the road, with dust storms trailing it along the way. A person sitting in the front is waving at us—like he has something important to tell us. In the back, there are two ladies sitting as passengers. He is driving in the middle of road, which is not normal—but we don’t have time to think about what is normal. He sped up to about 100 meters from us, where we are able to hear what he was yelling. He came so close that they could ear the swearing.

SongTaew Driver - You fool!!

Sattahip Friend 1 - Idiot!

Observer - Bully!

Song thaeo Driver - Why are you taking pictures?

Rong - Why not ? Am I not allowed?

Song thaeo Driver - Around here, no taking pictures!

Rong - Who says?

Song thaeo Driver - The big boss

Narrator - They took that answer with a wonder. The term “big boss” is hard to understand its meaning at this moment of urgency. Who is he referring to? We had read in the newspapers in Bangkok, from the October articles, about the new and many changes in Kilo 10. And we heard many people in Sattahip talking about the changes, too. This is a tense situation!

Rong - Big Boss who?

Song thaeo Driver - The Big Boss of Peace!

Narrator - The way to avoid problems at this point was to wai4—for Rong’s friends to apologize, give a smile, and turn our steering wheel to get back to the road we came from. The co-worker was fidgeting, hot from the sun, everyone’s tired—our temperaments are depressing. Their attention soon shifted to the establishment known as “Cat’s Eyes.” The man, who was the owner of a mysterious shadow behind the backdoor, was standing there. Rong approached him very cautiously. Bourbon and Coke is a good way to relax from the tensions, and help the mood and atmosphere. The former teacher turned bar businessman is nice enough to let us steal some of his time, and welcomed us. And we didn’t wait too long, or not too long for having to wait. Then he arrived.

The big boss—Sangup Sripraput—stepped inside. He looks to be about six-foot tall. His age looks to be about 50, but not much more than that. He sports a dark-tanned skin with a peaceful facial look—just like his name’s meaning. Looking at him, he looks like a relentless fighter in life. My feelings about him reminds me of the male character from some novels by Orawan.5 The character has traits of humbleness, respect, and firm decision making skills. His personality seems to shine with reverence, and a little generosity.

4 Transcription of ไหว้, "show respect" and/or "salute with clasped hands". [Editor's note] 5 'Orawan' is one in many pen names of writer Lieo Sisawek = เลียว ศรีเสวก (1912-1978). [Editor's note]

Looks of seriousness... doesn’t drink... but smokes roll after roll—like someone who is thinking hard. Turkish cigars which smell like the American ones. Rong stood up, and waied him as a sign of respect to an elder as was customary.

Rong - I think I have met you before somewhere.

Big Boss - No, we’ve never met each other before.

Narrator - They examined each other. They were about the same height, and about the same age.

Rong - Maybe you can’t help to explain—if it’s not too much trouble. Today, I was told to stop taking pictures.

Big Boss - Really?... It must have been a misunderstanding, why don’t we go inside.

Scene 2

Narrator - The lunch that day was rather longer than other lunches from other days. Another plate of the crabmeat curry was ordered. Rong’s coworker asked a question:

Co-Worker - Do thieves stick together like mosquitoes? I heard people say this.

Sattahip Friend - Anywhere where there’s Americans, there are thieves.

Narrator - He said if he were a policeman, he would be worried, too. Americans—the general feeling about them—very rich. Americans have many household items for happiness in their rental houses. From refrigerators to high-tech stereos to play their phonograph records—all very expensive. But they can buy them for cheap at the PX.6 Fans, cameras, TVs, and what thieves like about Americans is that they tend to be careless. “All they do is smile... ” they say. The thief walks past the house and sees that the doors are closed, and it is all quiet. Lights are out. Move in a little closer—no sound. Listen closely to make sure there’s no sound.

Girl 1 - John, Darling, do you love your wife? Tomorrow you must give me $100, ok John?!

Narrator - The thief told himself that the American probably took the bar girl out to go drink whiskeys at the bar, do some dancing, and he forgot to leave the key in the door. Damn it! He’s playing with me—making me have to do some work! I was just gonna go on a nice stroll at 10 pm to relieve some stress—look for a little job, nothing too hard. The thief smiled in the dark. This job is so easy it’s crazy!

Rong - Then what happens?

Narrator - After returning home, and finds out that the house was burglarized—the bar girl gets hysterical! You can hear her from miles

Bar Girl 1 - Son of a bitch! I knew it! My eyes were twitching since the afternoon—you kept trying till you got in—Son of a bitch!

Narrator - She swore much more than that. She was going to take the television to pay off her card debts tomorrow—she owed her neighbor friend 2,000 baht from losing card games. The American was mad, too.

6 "'PX' stands for 'Post Exchange' and was chosen to differentiate it from 'BX' (Base Exchange) used on Airforce bases." (Source: https://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question118260.html). Refers to "a government-subsidized shop operated mainly for military personnel." (Editor's note)

Sattahip Friend - Some people report it to the police. But some just shrug it off—they are more angry at themselves—for forgetting to put the lock on the door.

Narrator - The thief is like a soap opera character, who you want to kick in this day and age—no matter where.

Rong - Did it probably happen because they lost money from gambling?

Sattahip Friend - Everywhere was gambling.

Rong - Is it because of drugs then?

Sattahip Friend - I think there are many reasons. But thieves in general, they’re not as bad as the thieves that really know how to steal—what do you call them? It’s like a new group of thieves, they steal until they become filthy rich, or just rich. Two months ago, over 40 air-conditioners were stolen from the Americans. Think about it. I don’t like to think. How did they do it? And who stole it?!

Rong - That’s just it!

Narrator - And that’s the most that we could come up with.

Narrator - Anyway, It was long, just like in hell, waiting for the evening to arrive. Then we heard some people say, “It’s already dinner time, the sun’s ready to go eat.

Co-Worker - Why do have to hear the sounds of B-52s. It must sound cute, much like a woman who is crying. I heard that there are over 60 planes here, and they fly 24 hours a day.

Narrator - But anyway, the afternoon is passing by. The evening that we are waiting for is finally coming. The flickering lights that line up the Kilo 10 area. Americans get off the song thaeos, with bottles of whiskeys in their hands—when seen by business men—it means a lot of dollars. They are walking to somewhere, anywhere where they can find happiness. We walked right along with them. The blacks yelled and greet each other very loudly. … The rhythm and tempo makes them strut all the time. Some of the bar girls that go with them are so beautiful—it makes you jealous and want to steal them. But we are looking for a girl, to talk and listen about the situations involving gonorrhea and syphilis. After finishing our second glass of whiskey, we met her. She just got back from Bangkok last night. In Bangkok, bars are much filthier and dirtier—much like the new Petchaburi Road and the pimps.

Rong - What’s it like over there?

Narrator - She shriveled her nose, as if there’s something smelly.

Girl 1 - It’s so boring, No customers!

Co-Worker - What’s boring?

Girl 1 - No money. No customers—no whites, or blacks. When there are customers, the girls fight for them. I almost stabbed one of the girls living next to my room. The only reason I didn’t was because I have two red- headed sons, who are with my mother. Whatever, but they’re still my children—I feel sorry for them.

Rong - So you think it’s better here?

Narrator - She took a shot of whiskey, then said:

Girl 1 - I think it’s different than other places. But the costs of living here are much cheaper. Renting a house is cheaper. Eating is cheaper. My friend sent a letter to tell me, so I hurried here. She’s looking for a husband. They’re meeting tonight—he couldn’t leave the camp last night.

Rong - White or black?

Girl 1 - She said he was white, almost like pinkish—looks good enough to eat. He said he’s gonna give me 3,000 baht—do you think it’s expensive?

Rong - Not expensive.

Girl 1 - I also don’t think it’s expensive. But I think it’s better than sitting around at Petchaburi Street, so I didn’t want to haggle too much. 3,000 is 3,000—my friend, I love her a lot. When I get the money, I will give her a 1,000—as a sinsod.7 Damn, I hope that she has the heart to find me a husband, too.

Narrator - Sinsod! Looks like she wants to amuse us more than anything. The Thai meaning of this is that it is for the cost of milk to the mother of the girl that the man wants to become his wife. But it’s funny, hearing it in the sense of one bar girl talking about another bar girl—and how it was a blessing and an obligation they have to one another. It’s worse to understand the agent, or the middle man. We learned from her, that in the bar girl business—there’s an agent. And then there is the price to pay for the agent. It’s the same like buying a piece of land, except it is for the girl. Or any other piece of equipment, except the equipment for war. There must be an agent—to negotiate between the buyer and the seller.

Girl 1 - But my piece of land is worth this much,

Narrator - She said this, while spreading both arms wide and laughing,

Girl 1 - Just like they call it, ‘God’s little acre’—isn’t that right?! I read it before, where God gives a piece of land as a blessing. I read it in a book.

Rong - Are you the same as worms? Someone might ask.

Girl 1 - No, not as bad as being a worm. Maybe like a bug instead. Books are my friends—it keeps me from being lonely. And when I’m free from a husband.

Narrator - She told us the names of authors that she is also a fan of. But she will not be free for long. It is the responsibility of the woman who bears a red-headed child—Amerasian, two of them. It is her inspiration, so as not to become tired from working. The idea of being hungry is a scarier thought. Hunger is the cause and reason for almost everybody. Whether they are brave to commit sins, or committed to follow their religious faiths. Or those that don’t have any choices—such as her. Being free from a husband has the same meaning, like those who work by moving dirt, or that of a wood sculptor, who complains during the rainy seasons, “I don’t have any work again—damn it!” Then they look for other kinds of work, such as selling flowers, catch shrimp from the canals to sell. But for her... no matter what the season is— she cannot have free time! Some men, and their friends, take this opportunity, and become extensions to the American soldiers. They conduct the business of finding bar girls for the soldiers, and finding husbands for the bar girls.

Girl 1 - It’s the same as finding a place to rent in Bangkok, right? She said, But there’s no main office for them. Whether it’s illegal, or not—I don’t know. We just know that if we don’t have customers—who are we gonna call?

Rong - How and what price do they charge you?

7 'Sinsod' = สินสอด, the bride-price, the dowry. (Editor's note)

Girl 1 - It’s not always consistent.

Narrator - I told myself that she has a cute smile. Even if she has 2 black teeth in the front—no complaints. The wrinkles on her face looked as if a whole swarm of crows had just trampled her. And the power doesn’t even help to make it better at all. No matter how bad someone’s life is—I don’t like to see a sad face on a woman. Even if she works at the bars as a bar girl. Prostitute for 20 baht—like sewer water—or a bar girl.

Girl 1 - If we believe each other, he takes a percentage. But for the most part, he takes a chunk in cash. It depends, how good or bad the guy looks... a sergeant or lieutenant?... how much money does he have... sometimes he just takes a cut from the first month—until we can agree on a price.

Rong - Did you ever use this service?

Girl 1 - Who me? If I have to, but I don’t like it. I’d rather find on my own, or have a friend help. I don’t want an agent—don’t want to get ripped off. They’re all troublemakers.

Narrator - In the business of finding customers for bar girls—you almost don’t need much of an investment. outside of being able to speak and shout some English. You must know and have a lot of American friends— and a reputation of being trustworthy. And try to know the flavors, and what the customers like and prefer. What is more, to make in in this business, you must have some experience. This means you must have some ideas about the war, and how it is from the American viewpoint. Everything else is easy. It’s the highest level of work for a pimp! People in this business, they have to dress like those insurance salesmen. Have a little vocabulary like the politicians—when they’re trying to get elected. Many have average good-looking cars. But the most important quality—they must have the hunger for money—to go into the business. Some Americans are not at all picky. When they are out to relax, they just need a woman. A woman that can make them feel like the owner of her. Besides the sensuality aspect, it’s a way to give them a sense of control—for whatever is lacking in their life. Even if it’s just a flimsy relationship, it still has value—in the sense that is more than just being with a prostitute. Even though he knows that the woman transforms herself for him. He already has a wife in America, or he has never been married—it is not question of importance for those who are involved. After flying missions to take death to others, and escaping the deaths themselves—if he knows that there is a woman waiting and is worried about him—it give him a pleasant feeling.

Rong - Do you ever get jealous of him? We asked the question.

Girl 1 - Gee whiz! we’re all humans, Pee.8 If he’s not bad like the dogs across the street, why wouldn’t I get jealous?!

Narrator - Even so, with the bar girl and her short time husband—nobody talks about love. She told us more about the picky Americans.

Girl 1 - Pretty or not, it doesn’t matter, Pee. I just ask that I am the type that he wants. Americans or blacks, who are viewed in general as being flirty—sometimes it’s just their reaction as a way of hiding their shyness. Some guys don’t have any experience when it comes to the nightlife. Some don’t have tact. The agent looks at them and can tell based on how they act. After that, he goes and make a little conversation before offering them his services. There’s not much more than that... This part of work, speaking of it, is not that hard. It’s just trouble when the agent plays the money game with the customer, and also with me! He’s playing both sides—if I don’t give in, he’ll just trick me—and then go find another girl instead. The agent can speak English good, unlike us bar girls, where we can say, ‘I love you, go to sleep, make boom, boom, water come out!’ We can’t keep up with the agent. But speaking about it is like wasting whiskey, Pee—nobody wants to be played by the agent—but it happens!

8 "Pee"—or "Phi" in official transcription— is for "พี่" and means "elder brother" or "elder sister". [Editor's note]

Scene 3

Narrator - It is the life of a part of society that we should not quickly glimpse over, but take some time to carefully digest it. I told my co-worker. Life is not all petals of roses or happy-ending novels. The mishaps of the agent and the bar girl will be pushed aside for another subject. And another girl will come in to take her place.

Girl 2 - A good husband, when is it ever easy to find, Pee?

Narrator - She is talking about an American who is high-ranking, pays big money to girls, and doesn’t want old, used girls. In that case, if the agent can’t find a local girl with qualities that the guy wants, he will contact one of his friends—to help find and hurry to send here. He will find a friend that he thoroughly trusts—since it be him, who is responsible. But he will have to take a cut from the agent for the price of travel that the girl needs to take. The price of beauty makeups to make her pretty, or other things she will need to make herself ready to be a wife. And then add the commission that the partner agent will charge, too.

Girl 2 - It’s like I told you, Pee, if you trust that she is a bar girl under protection of that agent, then he will get a commission. But it’s hard for us to trust anyone, even I don’t trust myself sometimes. He can even take my whole first month’s pay.

Rong - Then where will you get money to use for that month? Some of us are asking.

Girl 2 - It’s not hard, he’ll be glad to give me a loan—at 20% interest. But it’s not for sure—it can be 30, 40, 50% percent! It depends how desperate I am for money. I even borrowed 100 baht after 100 baht before. If the interest is not too steep—then I have to take it. I think it’s a rip off! Once you borrow, you will borrow again. It’s easy and it becomes a habit.

Narrator - This means that the obligations are never over. If the bar girl thinks—that she still has hope in her life, she will survive this ordeal by doing things such as— being careful in spending money, save money at all costs, ask and plead to borrow from the short-timed husband—even admitting to him that she has loans to pay. The agent is never interested in the personal lives of the bar girls. He only cares and wants money, that’s all. He wants to get the most that is possible for each of his girls. Money and more money! He doesn’t use power—but just the opposite—he uses sweet talk to serenade the girls—and lets them have another loan—under any circumstances. Almost all bar girls always have money problems, and live in poverty many days of the month. Some will steal their husband’s whisky to sell at a cheap price. They take advantage of the trust of their husbands. And she knows no one take care of her better than her agent. It’s a business, and he knows what role he must play to get results. The good of his soul, even though it’s smaller than a fly’s shit—is that he has to be a giver sometimes—not only takes all the time.

Girl 2 - But if he was a pimp, he would discipline us with his feet! Or we would get our wombs stomped. That is the difference between an agent and a pimp.

Narrator - In the bar girls society, it is not all bad in every single aspect. Even if her heaven is on the edge of hell! Some Americans are very easy-going, and have good morals. And after the physical sensualities are done, they can transform their heart just the same. As for matters of flickering emotions, when the bar girl wishes to escape her constant hunger, and the short-time husband has other things on his mind—somehow, love is even able to squeeze itself between two people—without being noticed.

Co-worker - But doesn’t the Cupid bring syphilis with his poisoned arrow?

Girl 2 - Many of my friends got married, and they went with their husbands to the States. They write me letters, telling me how their husbands took them to see Hollywood—and how hard they looked for Steve McQueen— until their eyes hurt, but couldn’t find him. I get jealous—they said my husband is so good at this, and that— and they live in apartments, and drive Mustangs! I shared the letters with the other girls—and we got all excited, giving us all goosebumps! Some girls are waiting for their passports—they’re going to New York— their husbands are waiting there. It’s true, Pee— there are good and bad things. The good things are so good— they take your breath away. But like I said—some of the girls—they break their promises. The husbands over there send them money every month. They take pictures of their house, their fathers and mothers—and send them to the girls, telling them soon they will be together. Hogwash! Being here, they go out every night looking for new husbands! And they’re addicted to drugs—making them as skinny as those heron birds! They said they caught some sexual virus—crazy! I say it’s the virus of slut!

Narrator - The bar girl, who is nameless, still has time to talk to us the following evening. And we still have a lot of minutes, too. Before 8 pm, at the Cat’s Eyes bar, where we made the appointment—she pours whiskey into the empty glass. After taking a shot, she her face relaxes, and she looks refreshed. And she doesn’t have a hint, or trace of being drunk.

Girl 2 - I think that drinking whiskey is better than being addicted to drugs, Pee. That white powder—I’m scared of it, more than a ghost! I saw my friend squirming when they didn’t have the drugs—it was pitiful, and disgusting!

Narrator - She took a light puff of her cigarette. She said she started smoking when she entered this job. It is the coincidence that some see it as being beautiful, and has a sweet scent that comes with it. Plus, the short-time husband brings a lot for her to smoke.

Co-Worker - Sorry! Some of us trying to hint at something before asking curiously: If he writes from America, in English—can you read it?

Girl 2 - You don’t have to apologize, she said, I don’t think of you as looking down on me. They know, that most of us girls, don’t have too much education. Some only know the swear words of English—their Thai is not even that good. But it’s not too much trouble, Pee—the agent can read it to us. But some of my friends... Some of the girls, they finished 2 years of high school—those ones can read their own letters. If my friends have time, they will read it for me. One friend, she’s beautiful, and cute—but her life is pitiful, she used to study at college— until she had family troubles and had to go back home. Her adopted father tortured her—and drove her into this business. Her real father died in a car accident, so she ran away to live with a friend. And then she found a job as a receptionist in Pat Pong. But the salary wasn’t that good, and she was always tired. She got angry and started going out with a lot of guys. Some were handsome, strong young men—many took her out to dinner— too many to count. Like I said—being a female, we’re always at a disadvantage. So she ends up getting addicted to the guys—more than addicted to cigarettes. Then some friends encouraged her to find new jobs in Korat, so she went. But she was still luckier than some other girls—girls that always kept themselves beautiful. Whoever sees them—would desire them. So, she’s about ready to go—her husband was an admiral, they love each other like lovebirds, and he always let her have her way. They just have a little trouble with the visa issues—I’m not too sure about the details. She has hope, but while still running around for the agent. Soon, she will escape from hell!

Rong - Did the husband go home very long ago?

Girl 2 - About two months ago, Pee.

Rong - You think she’s addicted to men—can she change her ways?

Girl 2 - There’s gotta be certain times she can, or can’t—I just wanna give my friend some respect; don’t you want to cheer her on?

Narrator - Somehow our reporters are embarrassed.

Girl 2 - The good qualities of a short-timed husband is like this "He’s so good to me, I don’t know how to explain it", Pee. It seems that after spending enough time together, she was transformed from being just a provider of a service—and became a lover. But he had to return to America—as required by his job. And there is his family in America, which is another difficulty to deal with. So, he can’t take her with him as he wanted. He is broken-hearted. He tries to help wiping her tears away—by sending her money every month. He believes that it is obligation to do so. It’s the duty of a man—to pay back the woman who gives him great happiness. But he knows that she has other men! It is a necessary part of her duty! He doesn’t get angry! It’s human nature—for her to be jealous from across the continents. It’s his feeling that he should not be jealous or worried about her. And one more thing, he doesn’t have the right to stop her from doing her work.

Girl 2 - But he still sends money every month, Pee.

Rong - Why?

Girl 2 - He’s worried about his child.

Narrator - His morals and conscience make him do it, along with his thoughtfulness for her. Some of the rental wives are sentimental about this. They use the money for its intended purpose—buying food the child, and making sure they always have enough to eat at every meal. She is sad that the child has to be raised without a father. The situations and circumstances warrant it to be so. She is unsettled in her heart, as she looks at the son’s innocent blue eyes—she is not ashamed by his red hair, even though it makes him different from the other children. But she is worried that he will get bullied by other kids. She can’t solve this problem—only able to support and nurture him—as any mother in this world that loves her child would. She will leave the child with her parents to raise while she is out working. But if there were no one else in her life, she would have to carry him along—to go wherever she goes—the rugged and tough streets in life. And it would be much more shameful—if the child is black-skinned, with curly black hair, and go begging with her.

Girl 2 - Some of my f***ing friends, they go and spend the money with lavishing men. Letting the kid starve—I feel sorry for the kid—and for the father, who is way over there, too.

Narrator - While talking to her, I almost forgot about my job, and wanted to write a novel that is 1000 pages— so that I could win a not expensive (and not smart) award from a company called SEATO. A rental wife has a alluring fragrance, as well as a putrid one. She is the result of the war! She was founded—as a result of the war! Or—you can even say—if she was as pure as the color white from a jasmine flower, she was tainted by the color red—from the blood of war!

Girl 2 - Pee, you’re not bored yet from listening to me, right?... You know some of the short-time husbands are bad.

Rong - How are they bad?

Girl 2 - They’re so bad—you can’t even compare to anything, she said, as she glanced outside the bar with a confused look on her face.

Rong - American or black?

Girl 2 - All of them, Pee. Americans they can dupe you. Each month, they don’t give you enough money— making excuses, for this and that. Sometimes, they even ask for money—saying that they’re just borrowing.” She said for this reason, some of the rental-wives have to dupe them—before they get duped themselves.

Rong - How do the girls dupe their husbands?

Girl 2 - Like stealing their whisky to go sell it. Or, leave the house unguarded, so the thief can go up and steal everything. There’s no other way, Pee. Some are so stingy, he wouldn’t even give a dog some shit to eat.

Narrator - She poured another glass of whiskey, and downed it. However, whiskey can kill her slower than Checkanol, or heroin. A rental-wife! Alas! My words of shock while talking to her. Exclamations that represent the meaning of life for a rental-wife. It is the story of sadness that is mixed in with the breath of life— with the alluring scent of the dollar... the worms in syphilis... society—which whatever it means—doesn’t accept them like they should. She doesn’t have protection or guidance like other occupations with rules and regulations. She has been forsaken—and left with a shapeless body. But for whoever has been following this story cannot deny that the rental-wife has a major role in a soap opera that is the costliest war in the history of mankind. And all she has gotten in return is a cheap monthly payment—about the same price of the mattresses on the bed. The future! Nobody talks about it. If she has any hope left, it would be like that of a small flower—being blown away in the wind. But the opposite of that—her disappointments are as heavy as iron—and no one wants to talk about it, including her. We (the readers and writers) have heard about some rental-wives who simultaneously had three short-term husbands at the same time. And many guys will not believe that she only belongs to them. Her life involves many diversities. It includes hot businessmen in air-conditioned offices—to working at cocktail parties. Having trysts in moving cars for hundreds of thousands of baht—to the office meeting rooms. Haggling strictly over huge profits, etc., but she doesn’t get too much into expensive prices to that extent. She only knows that on Saturday, she belongs to Robert—until Tuesday. In the evenings and nights, her regular taxi driver, reminds her that John will return from his dangerous flying missions—and requests her for Thursday! Don’t forget Thursday! She has to meet the Captain, who has two nights a week free to be with her. That is a special case, or you can call it the special skill of some rental-wives. And it still doesn’t make her any richer than any other rental-wives.

Girl 2 - The cost of living is high, Pee, she said the following sentence. She didn’t mean the cost of sugar, perfume, lipstick, matches, or monthly rent. No matter how much I save, I still lose about 2,000 baht every month.

Narrator - She is referring to the card game—black frog, red frog.9 This game is one of those games. It is the equivalent of playing billiards at the club, or playing rummy with friends on Saturdays.

Girl 2 - If my husband’s not home, and neighbors also plays—we end up playing all day all night. When we play, it makes us happier than singing songs. It’s kind of strange, Pee. No matter how we play, it never gets boring. If my friends do not suggest playing, I would be suggesting it. Sometimes we argue till we’re almost throwing punches. But before the night is over, everyone is friends again as before.

Narrator - She thinks it’s a good opportunity to meet and help her career by networking (it’s much like playing golf, I think). It’s a wasteful activity, but some people in certain positions of society do not have a choice in the matter. She is not a wife of an accountant, who cooks dinner and wait for her husband to come home. She is not a wife that lives in a nice home, and has time to read classic novels, and listen to Beethoven. She is not a wife that is in her one and only love, with a husband who is starting a future together. She is just a rental-wife!

Girl 2 - My friend found husbands who are sergeants—both of them. They are both soldiers at Camp Samosan together. And they know that my friend has one for the daytime, and the other at night. Life is smooth, Pee. Work hard a little bit—but you get paid twice as much. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Pee. They both live in the same house! When the night shift guy comes home, the other day shift hurries to go to work. They pass each other on the way—walk past each other and smile. Funny, but crazy, Pee! And they don’t get jealous, each has their own rights and follows the agreements. But it was bound to happen. The night shift guy, maybe he’s a little selfish, so he comes home early one day. So early, that the day shift guy hasn’t even put his pants on yet. But the night

9 In Thai = 'กบดำกบแดง'. This Thai game is played the same way as 'Chinese Ten' (Jiăn Hóng Diăn = 'Pick up red spots'), but the scoring is different. shift buy doesn’t want to complain, so he sits and wait outside the house. The day shift guy then takes advantage—he continues with his business—as if no one is waiting. You can say he violated the terms of the agreement. I can’t remember if they threw punches or not. But one guy couldn’t handle it anymore, so he went to the Sattahip police—complaing that the other guy was stealing his hours.

Rong - And what did the police say?

Girl 2 - Go and take care of it among yourselves. I think in a case like this, there is no law. The police are fretting themselves—seeing the guys arguing loudly. The lieutenant said that if they can’t come to an agreement—then he would have to arrest my friend for prostitution. The two guys then became quiet. They both love my friend. They don’t want her to go find new husbands! My friend, she’s beautiful—she once competed in beauty pageants—but I think she’s lying, Pee.

Narrator - There’s 15 minutes left before 8 pm, so we got more answers from her.

Rong - I heard that some Americans... if they get sudden assignments and have to leave—and they already paid for the month as agreed, then they would transfer her to his friend.

Girl 2 - I heard the same thing, too, Pee. He probably negotiated—to get something in return. You know that Americans will not give something away that easy.

Rong - Have you ever been involved with that?

Girl 2 - I’ve never been... whatever their story... if you’re gonna go to hell or wherever... and wants to give me to this guy or that guy—I will never go! Even if I’m bought like an object—like they said. I have honor, too, Pee—crazy! I’m not a piece of soap—use half of it, and throw it to someone else!

Rong - I’m sorry...

Girl 2 - You don’t have to be too polite with me, Pee. I’m not a high madam from somewhere—only a madam from hotel.

Rong - Ok, I won’t apologize. If you get a disease, will he give you money for treatment?

Girl 2 - There is no contract agreement for this, Pee. It depends on the heart of the guy— and yes, sometimes they will get angry and yell about it. He can get angry, yell loudly... or if I can prove that he gave me the disease—then he knows he’s responsible for it. But we try to use prevention, since it’s better—and not have to waste money, or have to go through pain and suffering.

Rong - You and your friends ever fight over husbands?

Girl 2 - We’re women, Pee, and being the kind of women we are—there’s gonna be some fights— it’s normal. They cut inside and outside—speaking of it—it’s vulgar. You can call it—if someone is tricky—just let them fight to get it out of their system. Believe me, Pee... if my husband gets bored of me, and gets another girl to be his wife—that’s losing my honor—I can’t explain. I’ll be so ashamed—I can’t look anybody in the eyes. But it’s not only me that’s ashamed—even my friends sitting at the bar are helping to be ashamed together.

Rong - Did you ever have a Thai husband?

Girl 2 - Yes, of course, Pee. But I don’t know if can call them husbands or not... living a few months together, he then says he will move to another province to find a job. So he leaves me in the care of his friend—and his friend dupes me.

Rong - How did he dupe you?

Girl 2 - He told me that my husband was stabbed to death in Nakhon Panom—shit! Let’s not get into the story—it’s too long... and it hurts my heart. A quick summary—so he tricked me, and sold me to a brothel to be a prostitute. Then he disappeared with thousands of baht. A few months later, I see him and my husband at the bowling center. I almost went to slap them both—but afraid that they would beat me up, so I left. Thinking it over, if they don’t come back to see me—I find that as a blessing, Pee.

Rong - Have you ever fallen in love?

Girl 2 - I think I have at times—but that was almost two years ago. I fell in love with a musician. He was very handsome, Pee. His manners were good, too. Wherever we walked—people were staring in awe. My friends were all jealous... but they don’t know the truth—musicians are not good in bed. Goodness, Pee. He’s too tired from playing music all night. When his head hits the pillow—he’s out like he just died. When he wakes up, he’s really hungry—and has no energy. I didn’t have too many true happy times with him. To me, happiness is just like smoke from marijuana.

Rong - You broke up then?

Girl 2 - Something like that, Pee. We split up—but there were no hard feelings. I still miss him. But his life is being a vagabond—with no set destination. I heard that he was in Ubon, but sooner or later—he’ll end up back in Sattahip.

Rong - Do you ever think about having a real husband, and quitting this job?

Girl 2 - Why waste time thinking like that? Who would want me for a wife? Do you, Pee?

Rong - The future, have you ever thought about it?

Girl 2 - I have, Pee. But it’s like walking around looking for a salung-cent in the dark. Like I told you, I have 2 small red-headed boys that I left with my mother to take care. If I think about the future—it is about them. I try to make a monthly savings for them. Saving for them, just in case something happens to me. When I came back this time, I went to the temple and promised to Buddha that I will not play black frog/red frog anymore. I will do everything for the sake of money, and for sake of my sons.

Rong - Do you ever get letters, or any money, from the father of your kids?

Girl 2 - Never! The first kid—I don’t even know who’s the father—at that time it was chaotic. The second kid, his father was a bad guy. He never even wrote one letter. Let him go! He’s my son—I can raise him the way I want.

Rong - What if tomorrow the war ends... the American forces all return home—no single soldier left in Sattahip, Takli, Udon...

Girl 2 - My gosh, this is terrifying, Pee... let’s not think about it... my friend also went through that. Do you have any more questions for me, Pee? If not, I have to hurry and go. I will wait to read about what you write.

3. A list of works by and about the Thai writer Rong Wongsawan (1932-2009) compiled by Louis Gabaude

This list includes references to publications by or about Rong Wongsawan, the author of Sattahip, the book introduced by Siamrad Maher and read by Payap University students at the 449th INTG Meeting.

In this "preliminary" version of the list, I have compiled references to books and periodicals available, for most of them, at the Library of the École française d'Extrême-Orient, 131 Charoen Prathet Road in Chiang Mai. Within a few weeks (or months!), I hope to be able to complete this list with other sources and the English translation of titles.

In this list, references to books include the complete Call number like CALL : THAI. T. HIST. 0537 : Inv. LG 06677 while references to articles published in periodicals mention only "CALL: PER.". Nevertheless, with the whole record, the librarians should be able to find the proper issue.

The list is downloadable from: https://www.dropbox.com/s/vpnk08dz52hk12w/GabaudeLouis-RongWongsawan-Liste-20191007- PDF.pdf?dl=0

4. NEXT MEETING (450th) TUESDAY, 08 October 2019, 7:30 pm at the Alliance Française, Chiang Mai “Wrestling with Notions about Our Neighbors: Thai-ness & the Thai”. A talk by Herbert Swanson

The Talk: Drawing on Edward W. Said's notion of Orientalism, Herbert Swanson will share some thoughts on the related concepts of "Thai-ness" and "The Thai". How, precisely, do we define these ideas and why do we use them? What are the marks of Thai-ness? Who are the Thai? The speaker will explore the possibility of hidden, even nefarious implications to these two ideas and plans to argue that, in fact, they have no meaning outside of themselves. They have nothing to do with the real world of 21st century Chiang Mai and Thailand, generally. Even so, they do have a certain utility—but not the ones those who talk about "the Thai" actually intend. Herbert Swanson's goal is to inspire some thoughtful discussion on how those of us who live here think about our neighbors. The Speaker: Herbert Swanson is the founding director of the Payap University Archives (1978-1984) and founding director of the Office of History, Church of Christ in Thailand (1988-2004). He has an M.A. from the University of Maryland (1987) and a Ph.D. from the Melbourne College of Divinity, Melbourne U. (2003). He is an ordained Presbyterian minister, a member of the Suwanduangrit Church steward of two websites: herbswanson.com (devoted to Thai church history) and orientalismstudies.com (devoted to the study of ideological Orientalism).

5. First November Talk (451st) TUESDAY, 12 November 2019, 7:30 pm, Alliance Française, Chiang Mai “Honey bees: their importance and interactions with humans in Southeast Asia” A talk by Panuwan Chantawannakul = ภาณุวรรณ จันทวรรณกูร

The Talk: Asian honeybees have evolved for millions of years along with flowering plants. Their role in pollination to maintain the plant biodiversity in South East Asian forests and human food crop production is of great importance. In addition, Southeast Asians have consumed honeybee products and applied them as traditional medicines due to their therapeutic properties. Traditional knowledge and beekeeping practices to harvest bee products have been embedded in beliefs and cultures in this region. Nevertheless, with changes in society and the way of life of Southeast Asians, the wild honeybee populations have also been severely affected. Some species have adapted but some bee populations have been decreasing. Therefore, through human activities, new emerging diseases and climate changes, honeybees, the key pollinators, are struggling to adapt themselves towards those threats under both natural and artificial (human) selections to maintain their species survival.

The Speaker: Panuwan Chantawannakul is Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science at Chiang Mai University. She received her PhD in microbiology from Cardiff University in the United Kingdom. Her work has been in the field of honeybee pathology, disease resistance, immune responses and host-parasite interactions. Dr. Panuwan has collaborated with bee researchers in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia for almost 20 years and is an executive committee member of COLOSS (Prevention of honey bee COlony LOSSes), an international, non-profit association headquartered in Bern, Switzerland focused on improving the well-being of bees at a global level.

6. FUTURE MEETINGS

- 12 November 2019: "Honey bees: their importance and interactions with humans in Southeast Asia" by Dr. Panuwan Chantawannakul (ภาณุวรรณ จันทวรรณกูร).

- 26 November 2019: Dr. Bunchar Ponpanich (บัญชา พงษพานิช), MD, will speak about his research on beads in Thailand.

- 17 December 2019: "W. Osborn Keats, a colonial architect and Chiang Mai, 1915-1925". A talk by Graham Jefcoate.

- January 2020: Sjon Hauser on Sssssssssssnakes.

Talks to be scheduled by:

Amporn Jirattikorn, Michel Bauwens, Vanina Bouté, Paul Carter, Don Lindner, & others

7. INTG CONTACTS: Convenor - Secretary - Website

1) Convenor: Rebecca Weldon: e-mail: [email protected]. Mobile: 087 193 67 67. 2) Secretary: Louis Gabaude: e-mail: [email protected]. Mobile: 087 188 50 99. 3) INTG Webdoctor: Clarence Shettlesworth: e-mail: [email protected]. Mobile: 0610509996. 4) INTG Website: http://www.intgChiang Mai.com

Informal Northern Thai Group (INTG) 1984-2019 = 35 years of Talks! ______

“WRESTLING WITH NOTIONS ABOUT OUR NEIGHBORS:

THAI-NESS & THE THAI”

A TALK BY

HERBERT SWANSON

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019 7:30 PM

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE - CHIANG MAI

138 CHAROEN PRATHET ROAD (OPPOSITE EFEO)

Informal Northern Thai Group (INTG) 1984-2019 = 35 years of Talks! ______

HONEY BEES Importance & interactions with humans in Southeast Asia A TALK BY

PANUWAN CHANTAWANNAKUL TUESDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2019, 7:30 PM

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE - CHIANG MAI 138 CHAROEN PRATHET ROAD (OPPOSITE EFEO)