Uncle Jim: Blog

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

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

The new story opens in Korat where Chanthra and Mike have bought a house. Shortly, the find a house-girl to take care of the house. The Amulets send them to the Ranger Museum where they have a meeting with the Commanders of the two Ranger Companies that have recently returned from a mission to the Thai Shan States. (see Amulets V) From them, they learn of the arms and vehicles that they sold there. The Amulets also inform them of exactly what their new mission is.

Chanthra, however, needs to visit the Wat of the Amulets to report on their mission in the past. After gathering the needed supplies, they go to Bangkok by train. Chanthra and Yuang, the house-girl, soon leave for Wat Tai Yacum. Mike remains in Bangkok to check on various things.

It was difficult to return to the mindset of the Amulet stories after a long time doing other stories. This story required considerable research, as it takes place in areas that I never visited during my eight years in Thailand. It all worked out very well however.

Enjoy these opening chapters. More next week.

Keep Well,
uncle jim