Songkran is here - and so am I, which, cannot be said of anyone else as, the workers have all gone home. (For an explanation of just what Songkran is and what it means to the people of Thailand, see the March 3rd post below.)

Gone home?
Don’t they do that at the end of every working day?

Actually, no, they do not. They are camped here because, for most of them, their homes are hundreds of miles away (or, if you are a Continental, even more hundreds of those kilo thingybobs) which, equates to sometimes, more than a day’s (24 hour days) travelling. This is true of many people especially those who come from and whose families still live in the rural areas.

Imagine; practically a quarter of the country’s population on the move at one time to go home to their families and celebrate the Thai New Year - Songkran. This mass migration takes place every year at this time. Meanwhile, the development will not see further development for the next week (at least).

Why “at least”?

Imagine also; the same amount of people trying to make their return journeys, masses of them filling (and in many cases – overfilling) cars, motorcycles (read: mopeds and scooters) pick ups, trains, buses, coaches, mini buses (public transport cannot cope) and the inevitable traffic jams and the subsequent delays causing many to restart work late. That is why I say one week at least.

I, for my part, will man the fort alone and spend some of my lonely hours bringing you up to date with the latest developments in Panorama.

Is there anybody out there?
Can you hear me Mother?

Are you sobbing yet? No?

Not to worry, please feast your eyes upon the latest photos.

As usual, please click on the photos to enlarge and display the caption. Thank you. Martin

(Now then, if only I could remember where I hid those d… Easter Eggs!)

Plot 32 zoomedPlot 32 from Plot 28Clubhouse from Plot 55Plot 14Clubhouse from Plot 55 zoomedEastern perimeter wallPlot 13Clubhouse from Plot 12