It's a small town between Pattani and Bangkok on the Isthmas of Kra. Like all towns in Thailand, motorcycles are the preferred vehicles for its mobility to meander through heavy traffic and narrow lanes. Even school children use it. Motorcycles are also use as taxi in all towns in Southern Thailand. A ride cost about 20 to 50 Bahts.
As the town a small, It's easy to wander to the fringes of the city to see how people live and do their daily chores. There is a river and a concrete river walkway was built on one side. There are fish farms in the river. There are also anglers trying the luck with the fishing rods. The houses are generally well built, some on stilts. Bananas, mango and many tropical fruits trees are populated the villages.
I came across a school. I walked into the school compound and noticed the school day has ended. Children are leaving. Like children everywhere in the world. They are noisy but happy and playful. Many were at the field kicking football. Others congregate around to gossip and many throng the food vendors tot buy tidbits to munch.
My observation of school children in Southern Thailand is that there is living a good life, contrary to my earlier belief that there are not as privileged as those in Singapore. They wore proper uniform, have decent school bags and wear good shoes. The secondary school girls even wore heels. Almost every child seems to have mobile phones. Parent came in motorcycles or car to fetch them. There are school buses as well. Perhaps time has changed.
Another observation is child obesity. So many are overweight. I can only be concluded that life is good. So as compared to the children I saw in Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar, the children here are definitely more fortunate.
Below, a Hainanese Association in Chumphon. It is well maintained. The Hainanese clans association in Singapore are fast disappearing.
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