Trip to villages (2)

On 13th we move to Khao Rao Thian Thong. Generally wealthier area than HHD. Farming community – paddy rice, cassava, fruit trees (papaya, mango). Lotus and fish ponds. Some cows both for milk and beef. Roads generally paved – some dirt track. 4 hours from Bangkok on public transport.

Very hot. Rain in the afternoons. Frogs in the house.

Head woman has car, computer, land, large house set in cassava fields (which doubles as meeting space for CF activity), two bathrooms, shop, washing machine and runs local admin office. Dial-up internet access and satellite. Lots of birds, chinchooks, mosquitoes and Mo the dog – limping but full of character.

We spend the afternoon with the CF youth group - 7 girls, six boys aged 5-14. First a ramble on nature trail they have created, then a drama activity run by one of the documentary group. Dance games to warm up, then the children are split into groups to write and act out their 'forest story'.

Bee and I interview the headwoman and her son.

In the evening the CF committee meet - four weather beaten farmers. RECOFTC monitoring officer arrives and gives presentation about results of monitoring bamboo exercise. Conclusion – mixed – villagers had not used same sample plot for bamboo monitoring. Therefore some dodgy results. Suggestion that sample plot is marked out – response - villagers would simply not take bamboo shoots from a marked plot – would be left entirely alone.

Much amusement about the fact I am so hot. For sleeping they provide a fan which is put under the communal mosquito net. P Kai and Bee wrap themselves in sleeping bags. I am happy to sleep in a high hot wind.