Background:   "Thai U.S.A." will be the latest in a series of "page splits" to tell a story about our beloved, adopted country of Thailand ...   Sorry - the above page link is not activated yet.   I have many festive pictures to scan and organize into a story about Thai/Lao Culture in the U.S.A. because you see, I have never left S.E.A. - I have been married to a woman either from Thailand or Laos over the past 32 years ...
  I subscribe to Thai TV, satellite television 24/7 from Bangkok and speak the languages and enjoy Isaan karaoke songs on a regular basis.   My world is surrounded, out here in California, by the largest Asian communities in the world outside of S.E.A. including "Little Saigon."
  By imparting this portion of the story upon all of you that (surely) are less involved in Thailand than I (except for those of our members living directly in Thailand or Laos, of course,) I hope to depict my pride in association!
  Answering, thru pictures, questions as to what has happen since our contributions in Thailand and how we have benefited for that personal commitment and association.

Stay tuned, please.

- Frank/Company Clerk

    But, before I add this new page segment, let me post some scanned pictures from this Buddhist Celebration held last June, 2000 in Bakersfield, California with minimal to no narrative for your (eye) pleasure.   The young ladies are all students of the dance cultures of Thailand as our the young gentlemen -- all in their early 20's.

    I made it my responsibility, after the Saturday festivities, to sit down in our friend's living room and interview each and everyone of these (lovely) ladies -- to learn (more) about their customs and cultures and I can report to you all that they are all fine, up-standing citizens of Thailand!   Yep - I.. I.. I.. certify that, to you.

My wife, in front of the Thai Buddhist Temple ("Wat Thai")     Some of the dancers and the band     In that last picture, please notice the ("half-pint") young man at the bongo-like drums.   I was fancinated with him!   By all appearances, he couldn't have been over 12 years old and played the best (Isaan) drums I've ever heard!   In a one-on-one interview-like talk with him Sunday morning, at home, his voice was just as (young) squeeky (only spoke Thai,) and had trouble in the Casinos of Las Vegas (always showing his ID card... <bg>)

Thai guitar and traditional Isaan dress     A lovely lady in traditional dress that I would love to undress...   More
Oh yeah - the Group (behind her...)     Notice, please, the two little girls seated.   They were on next.   My appologies, there were many other young girls entertaining the audience, but "I was in love" and horribly distracted that day ...   I do promise to go through my album of "Thai U.S.A." and pick out more examples of Thai Culture experienced in the good ole U.S. of A. -- especially the Annual Thai Culture Parade and Art Exhibits held every September in marvelous Hollywood!   One more - Thai musical instrument and another.. (voluptuous) young thing

^#10 Photo/Narrative Credits:   Frank/Company Clerk