Meddlesome Locals at Suvarnabum Airport

It was reported, in the soaking wet Bangkok Post newspaper I had rescued from the bathroom floor, that 'meddlesome locals' were causing congestion at the new Suvarnabhum airport. Any expat would have laughed it off knowing well that Thais can find fun and enjoyment in almost anything, when they choose to.

For me, I was particular perturbed by that report, for Kim and I (locals we are not) were planning to park ourselves at the side of the airport highway to watch the airplanes go by with Taufik. We were certainly a major cause of worry for the speeding traffic, but so were hundreds of other vehicles parked on the side of the road. Yes, the Thais came out by the hordes (or should I say, we, residences of the Samutprakan area?) - yes well - we brought out parasols, picnic baskets, straw mats, our most high tech video cameras and the whole jim bang gang, plus great great grandma and her ailing mom, fortunately left behind were, the stinking buffalos and bloody bleating goats!

I was proud to be part of this fun loving group termed by journalists 'meddlesome locals'. Yes I did the whole nine yards, parked myself by the side of the road with son too just watching airplanes go by. It was amaaazing! Kim and I also did the official Royal tour of the airport. Feeling a tad sad that we were not able to sample the dishes there due to the fasting month. But mark my words, we have every intention of doing a big Sunday eating marathon at the airport once Ramadhan is over.

Meddlesome locals are we? Well so be it, being Thai-ish in this way, is wonderful. Free in flight entertainment, or is it, ground flight entertainment? A happy son who is not busy doing karate chops on my neck and who absolutely gets to indulge in his biggest passion - airplanes. And a husband who finds himself feeling pretty pleased at finding the best spot along the highway. (Yes, he beat those street savvy Thai pick up truck drivers who have nose for the cosiest and most panoramic spots).

Most of all what I love about this latest episode in Thailand, is the level of tolerance the government has for us fun scavengers. No police were sent to send us off, no fines and other tickets, not a single soldier on the road, just peace and the occasional whizz of the airplanes taking off.

Nina