The ongoing Thai cave rescue operations in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai in Thailand brought back good memories of a previous visit to that town.
The above picture shows the Myanmar border gate that, at that time of my visit, was closed to tourists due to tensions between the two countries. On the right side of the picture, one would find the merchants selling their goods.
I saw a monk with his orange robe and requested for a photo. He readily obliged while keeping his distance.
We were led to a restaurant serving Chinese food and we ate with regular chopsticks. I just discovered recently that the Chinese have a strong influence on Thai cuisine.
"With the ever growing immigrant communities from China came the need for them to eat. Chinese immigrants to Thailand introduced different cooking techniques such as stir frying and deep frying, both employing the use of a wok. They introduced the making of broth and several types of noodles, Taochiao (fermented bean paste), Soy Sauce, and Tofu. They also brought different ways to eat the food."
http://feastthailand.com/chinese-influence/
We also visited the Karen tribe in Mae Hong Son. These are the ethnic people who wear brass rings on their necks. But these too are changing.
"On her right side are two young girls, about eight or nine years old, both wearing what seem to be lightweight, perhaps plastic neck rings which are more costume than culture. On older woman has a startlingly long neck adorned by 20 heavy brass rings. The rings are very heavy, with some sets weighing up to 5kg."
https://www.bhg.com.au/meet-the-hill-tribes-of-thailand
A highlight of the trip to Chiang Rai also included a visit to the Golden Triangle where three countries meet -- Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.
"Many tourists flock to the Golden Triangle region of Thailand expecting some sort of 'wild west' scene. They are certainly disappointed. The Thai area of the former triangle is full of small quiet villages where the most exciting thing that happens is the arrival of the next tour bus."
http://thailandforvisitors.com/north/chiangrai/golden-triangle/index.php
The Tham Luang Nang Non Cave, where rescue operations are taking place, is predicted to become the next tourist attraction in Chiang Rai.
"Jongklai Worapongsathorn, the deputy director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, told Thailand's Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) that the department had set its sights on developing the cave into a tourist destination."
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/04/asia/thai-cave-tourist-destination-intl/index.html
As of this writing, however, the situation at the cave is far from over. One of the volunteer rescuers died while on duty. He was a former Thai Navy SEAL.
"Thai Navy SEAL chief Rear Adm. Aphakorn Yoo-kongkaew said oxygen levels in the cave had dropped to 15%, a level that one Thai medic said posed a serious risk of hypoxia, the same condition that causes altitude sickness. It was too dangerous to leave the boys much longer, Yoo-kongkaew said, despite the risks involved in attempting to bring them out."
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/05/asia/thai-cave-diver-intl/index.html
So if you happen to be reading this story, kindly say a prayer for the soccer team inside the cave.
The situation has attracted the attention of the world. It is beautiful to see how different countries have cooperated with the effort.
Let us hope that with millions of people praying together, the children and coach can get out of the ordeal complete and alive.
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On 10 July 2018, twelve boys and their soccer coach were safely rescued from the Tham Luang Cave in Thailand. Some people called it a miracle. It also showed what happens when people unite to help and pray for each other.
https://joyposadaswrites.blogspot.com/2018/07/in-thailand-sleeping-lady-blinked.html
