Saturday Dec. 10, 2001 is Constitution Day in Thailand, a National Holiday. Thailand is no longer a strict nonarchy but a Constitutional Marnachy like the UK and several Scandanavian Countries such a Sweden.Although the King is strongly revered and his voice is heard the country is run by committee. Several times in the sixties and seventies the national government was suspended and an RTAF General took control. I can't remember his name but I have visited his private Island off of the coast of Pattaya. He has always returned control of the government back to the civilians when he felt the country was stable enough. This was always done with the permission of the King.
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Other things I learned:
1. Don't touch a Thai on the head. That is their soul.
2. If at a post survival school party with the RTASF and if they offer a lizard out of the fire, remove and eat the legs, not the whole lizard.
3. Cigarettes are most valued tithes. It cost me six cartons of cigarettes for my wedding -- one carton per monk.
4. The bread winner of the household gets to eat first and the rest get what is left. I had to be very careful if I was real hungry.
5. Though she may know nothing of english, and lives in Bangkok, about 60 miles from Pattaya your sister-in-law always knows when it is payday and miraculously appears at your house.
6. Its good to have a brother-in-law who is a Thai Policeman. He just happened to be the investigating officer when I had a fender bender and a Thai Baht Bus Driver figured he was going to get rich off this farang driver.
At my wedding I was somewhat under the influence of Mekong and Singha and whatever else they had available. Upon returning from the bathroom I came out the wrong door and sent the shrine to Buhdda flying in all directions. All of the women at the party went into a panick and were convinced our marriage was doomed. Thursday we celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary.