Uncle Jim: Blog

The new chapters have been sent to the Moderators for posting.

This week's chapters open with the staff meeting at Ban Kang Mai. Much is revealed about what those in the command group have learned about conditions in Northern Laos and the rest of the Golden Triangle.

A new major character, Sergeant Bounmy, is introduced and he reveals even more new information. There are discussions of where to set up training, and the recruitment of the men for the unit. There is also a discussion of transportation and the acquisition of weapons. Responsibilities are assigned for various jobs. Mike and Bounmy will conduct a recon of a place where trucks have been hidden.

The recon of Ban Phoc Hane where the trucks are hidden reveals a number of problems. They do locate the trucks and find an additional surprise with them.

At the next meeting of the command group, Mike outlines what they have learned. Plans are made to acquire the trucks. The Lieutenant's group has located drivers, and Captain Vanh's group had located a suitable training area. Another meeting is scheduled for the next day in a different location.

These chapters weren't difficult to write, but they did require research on all of the locations plus what was actually occurring in the Golden Triangle at that time.

Enjoy these chapters. More next week.

Keep Well,
uncle jim

The new chapters have been sent to the Moderators for posting.

This week's chapters pen with Mike and the women moving into the house for the night and getting set up. In the morning, their new guide arrives, and they shortly set out for Muang Sing district on Road #17 through the mountains. Chanthra notices a large Wat as they arrive in Sing town. Their guide directs them to the house set aside for them. Chanthra has a gift for Mike.

At the market they purchase things to set up the house. They also learn that the area has many different minority peoples. Some of the traders at the market are directly from China.

In the morning the guide brings a monk and his commander to meet Mike. They set up a meeting for later that day. The commander is anxious to start attacking the drug-lords. Mike reminds him of the many problems to be solved before they can do that.

They set up a second meeting for five days later at a small village. Chanthra is interested in visiting all of the Wats in sing town.

Again a lot of research for these two chapters. The sing district turned out to be very interesting and had a long history of drug sales and movement.

Enjoy these two chapters. More next week.

Keep Well
uncle jim

The new chapters have been sent to the Moderators for posting.

This week's chapters open with Mike and the ladies leaving Chiang Rai for the town of Chiang Khong and the Mekong River. Arriving in Chiang Khong, they discover that the river is too high to be crossed that day and find a hotel for the night.

The next morning after loading the truck on the barge, they start up the river. Arriving at the docks of Huay Xai, they quickly head into town.

The entrance to the Wat recommended by the Amulets is a very long set of stairs leading to the top of the hill. Wat Chom Khao Mamilet at the top of the stairs is a very old Wat. After looking around at it, the three of them are guided to a pavilion where they are to meet their contact, a very old Monk. He directs them to their next location.

Luang Nam Tha is some 180 km from Huay Xai on road #3, which is not in good condition. Arriving there, they are greeted by a woman and her son. The son shows them to a house for the night.

These chapters required considerable research, as I hadn't been to this area during my 8 years in Thailand. The story is just getting started now.

Enjoy these chapters, more next week.

Keep Well,
uncle jim

Recently, I received a correction from an observant reader for chapter 6. After making the correction, I re-posted the chapter. Unfortunately, I somehow messed thing up by posting not just the wrong chapter, but the wrong chapter from the wrong story. I was alerted to this problem today and have corrected the problem. The correct chapter will appear shortly as the Moderators are busy.

I apologize to all of those who have read the story lately and were confused by the error.

Keep Well,
uncle jim

The new chapters have been sent to the Moderators for posting.

This week's chapters open with Mike remaining in Bangkok to check on sources and learn what he can about conditions in the Golden Triangle. He meets with a number of colleagues for their evaluation of the area. He also sings up for some tours of Bangkok to pass the time.

Meanwhile, Chanthra and Yuang have gone to Wat Tai Yacum to report on her trip to the past. It requires a number of days for her to write out the extensive report.

On returning to Bangkok, there are several places that she wishes to visit before they leave for Northern Thailand. The train ride to Lampang is uneventful.

IN Chiang Rai, Mike again is successful in obtaining more information on conditions in the Golden Triangle. On returning to their hotel, Chanthra informs him of a change in plans by the Amulets, and that they will be receiving their own transportation.

The following day, they go to look at the vehicle. It will still require a number of things before they can set out for their next destination.

These chapters were fairly easy to write, as I am fairly familiar with the locations during the timeline of the story. Future chapters required more research as I hadn't been to their locations.

Enjoy these chapters. More next week

Keep Well,
uncle jim