Returning to Udon as an Adult

Post by **Lila** » February 15, 2006, 1:44 am

Wow! I feel overwhelmed. The forum is great.

I have some general questions I hope you can help with. I'm curious about the general treatment of visitors in Udon. My situation may be more common than I think. My dad was in the Air Force in the early 70's stationed in Udon, met/married my mom & had me. I was born in Udon (71), but came to the states in Jan 1973, this is my first trip back. My mom visited in 1981 & 1986. She seems overly paranoid about safety or lack thereof. I wanted to bring my 6 year old daughter, but mom was adamant that I not bring her.

I'm very excited to finally return & see my roots, but my mom is bringing me down!

Any comments, opinions?

Also, she is not going to try & contact family members before we go. It's been 20 years...what are the chances that they are still even around?

Thanks! I look forward to hearing your comments!

Post by **banpaeng** » February 15, 2006, 2:10 am

First let me say welcome to the forum. I hope you get all your questions answered.

As far as safety things have changed drastically since your Mom was last there. My wifes home is quite a ways out in the boonies and we go there with no problem. We even took my sons wife over in 2003 and they went to my wifes hometown and had a Thai wedding there. they even have a 7-11 in the town. Does that give you an idea on infastructure.

If you just follow simple common sense things you should have a time of your life. Your Daughter should be fine. Her system is a bit more delicate than yours so just watch what she eats and all should be fine.

As far as if family is still there, most likely as most folks keep land in the family. Sure some sells but if possible most keep their land.

Post by **Loaded** » February 15, 2006, 2:15 am

Lila wrote:I'm very excited to finally return & see my roots, but my mom is bringing me down! Any comments, opinions?

Also, she is not going to try & contact family members before we go. It's been 20 years...what are the chances that they are still even around?

Hi Lila!

I should not be saying this, but I do it anyway

; DON

Post by **BobHelm** » February 15, 2006, 3:00 am

Hi Lila & welcome to the forum..

I am not an expert on Udon by any means but i have visted it 3 times in the last two years and absolutely hope to go and retire there in the very, very near future. I won't be living in Udon itself but out in the sticks...but that is just me, I am a country boy at heart.

My experiences of Udon city itself have always been pleasant. I have never been insulted, abused or felt threatened at any time during my stay. However Udon is a city and so, obviously, is home to a huge variety of people. Some of these people could indeed be violent and offensive and maybe I have just been lucky enough not to meet them....however i would not walk around any of the cities in England in the early hours of the morning with feeling extremely aprehensive that is not the case with Udon

You can only speak as you find and I have always found Udon (well Thailand in general) a delightful place to be.

Good luck. If you daughter doesn't come with you this time then I am sure that you will take her the next time you visit!!

Post by **yorkman** » February 15, 2006, 3:33 am

Welcome Lila,

Just IMHO, Udon is a very easy place to be if you avoid the obvious problem areas (bars, the red light district, just like any other emerging town/city)

Outside of there, its extemely safe. The people of Issan will give you a welcome that might surprise you.

I have never felt threatened; just the usual common sense that you use in the USA

John

Post by **FrazeeDK** » February 15, 2006, 6:35 am

You'll have no problem with any safety concerns in Udorn. If anything it is far safer than it was back in the early 70's. As for finding your Mom's family... If her family was fairly large, had some land and are typical Isaan they're probably living in the same village they lived in 35 years ago. Your daughter as a "kreuang-thai" will undoubtedly be doted on by people everywhere she goes..
My children are about your age, are half-Thai and came over several times, bringing their children, about the same age as yours.. They had a super time everywhere they went; Udorn, Bangkok, Samet Island.. My grandchildren pester me regularly about coming back again!!

Dave

Post by **Dakoda** » February 15, 2006, 6:47 am

Welcome.

I would have to agree with loaded. You must remember your Mom has been Americanized, while some of us who spent are youth here have been Thaized.

I guess the big question is "Do you speak Thai"? If so, you should have no trouble getting around and finding family.

Have a great trip

Post by **Lila** » February 15, 2006, 7:06 am

Thanks for all the responses! My answer to Dakoda, is no, I don't speak Thai, although I wish I did! Someone told my mom that I would be confused if she continued to speak to me in Thai after we moved to the states. Being young & impressionable, that's what she did. It's unfortunate, but too late to change. I am doing my best now to learn some Thai before my trip, but I'm sure to stand out.

Post by **PopsIcafe** » February 15, 2006, 8:07 am

Lila, welcome to the forum and it's nice to know that you are returning to your roots. I just wish my sons would do the same, think they would be surprised by what they see and how they would be greeted. One of my sons was born in Bangkok in 1973, after we left Thailand, we never returned. Thier mother also never taught them the Thai language, even after a few failed attempts to have her teach them.

You should have a lovely time here, and your daughter will be quite safe here with you. I chose Udon Thani because of the laid back feeling I had when I visited. After seeing Bangkok and then Udon Thani, their was no other choice but here. I have since remarried after the death of my first wife. I am loving it here.

Pop's

Post by **FrazeeDK** » February 15, 2006, 9:11 am

Lila,

"someone told your Mom".. Well, my oldest boy, my step-son, born in 71 like you, came to the States 5 years old, speaking only Isaan. It was the school teachers in his Massachusetts school that stated, "Don't speak more than one language at home, it confuses kids." My wife and I being young, and trained to believe the teachers, followed their instructions.. So... none of my kids speak much Thai either. Don't worry about it.. When you track down your relations you'll find I'm sure that some of the younger ones have picked up some of the English they get in school regularly.. If your Mom comes back with you, she'll be able to interpet.. Or, you probably could get some of the folks from the Forum to assist...

cheers and good luck,

Post by **beer monkey** » February 15, 2006, 3:47 pm

Lila, you wont stand out,book your ticket now 1 for you and 1 for your daughter, visit bangkok,visit Udon,the pair of you will love it,Udon is great.
Maybe your mother has some issues with family members, or maybe she don,t but it's your choice above all,so make the right choice. If you look thai you will notice that most thais will speak to you in Thai, but don't worry about that, a smile and a little basic Thai language will be ok. If i was in your position i would be going to Thailand no problem.
I am sure you and your daughter will go,so enjoy yourselfs.

And i'm sure there will be family members around,and i'm sure they would like to get to see you and your daughter.

Post by **Paul** » February 15, 2006, 7:04 pm

I had a six year old vist me from the UK last year with her mother (my Sister) and they BOTH thoroughly loved it. there were a few minor niggles with food but that was easily solved with Pizzas and KFC but everything went absloutley fantastic - and I think in the end she quite got a liking for being the centre of attention. Everywhere they went people talked to her - gave her gifts and even wanted to touch her skin.
You will certainly regret it (so will she) if you don't bring her.

Paul

Post by **Dakoda** » February 15, 2006, 7:15 pm

......and 1 for your Mom. There are at least two new arrival's here, the same as your Mom. They left around the same time, and have decided to return to retire here. (and I must add - they are just like your Mom!)

Lila
1. get your Mom to read these posts!
2. if you want to reach lost relatives, have your Mom post here with some info on family in Thai.

Most people here have Thai wiives/girl friends that will be able to read it, and a lot are of the right age group, whereby they can help you locate people. Maybe relatives even come here to read the posts!

Remember this is a family country. unlike america (lower caps mine)

Post by **BangkokButcher** » February 15, 2006, 9:03 pm

Your kids will have a fantastic time, I promise you, I'm always pleased (or should it be lumbered) to take our 3 littl'uns back over.

Their ages on the last trip was 2, 5 & 6.

When we stayed in the village, they were treated small kings and queens, they never wanted for nothing, plenty for them to do in the countryside, no end of fun.

In Udon, we stayed at the Thomas Resort, which has a pool to help keep them occupied whilst we got a bit of r&r, which made a nice change, and when they got bored with the pool, the staff there was more than happy to help them find another challenge...
No end of things for them to do in the city, especially 10 pin bowling, which they all love, and they wasn't too far away from a decent slice of pizza, KFC or ice cream to keep their hunger pangs at bay.

All in all, I would never hesitate to take them back, and in my opinion, neither should you, I bet things have changed a fair bit since your mother was last over.

Good luck with your decision

Post by **Alagrl** » February 15, 2006, 10:06 pm

My stepchildren (half-Thai) were born in 1978 and 1979 and have returned to Udon regularly since they were about 7-8 years old, and the grandaughter also has visited since she was 2 years old. No worries about either safety or health/food -- just take the normal precautions you would take visiting anywhere unfamiliar.

As to speaking Thai...their mother always spoke Thai to them, but they've never become fluent. Part of the problem is not having had any place for formal lessons in writing Thai, etc. Now we have Thai lessons on Sunday mornings at one of the Atlanta wats.

On my first visit to Udon with everyone last year, I just relaxed into a wonderful new city and had a marvelous time. Enjoy!

Post by **Lila** » February 16, 2006, 8:48 pm

Well, I finally decided not to bring my daughter with me this trip, although you have done a great job arguing for it! In fact, you all have me talked into coming back again for a second trip & I haven't even taken the first one yet! Anyway, she's going to stay home & help daddy take care of her little sister. I think I may be able to enjoy the trip a little more without having to take care of anyone but myself!

As soon as I can get it out of my mom, I will post the name of the village. All I have now is her maiden name, Tiptepa.

BTW, I am hooked on this forum. I think I have read almost every subject/posting in the past 3 days!

Post by **Bump** » February 16, 2006, 9:06 pm

I know your father is a vet, or at least I think so, is he a member of a VFW? If so there is a VFW Post here. If he gives them a heads up you will have plenty of help locating your famliy and getting around town, As a matter of fact you will be a local celebrity. The Post number is 10249 and it has a web site.

I'm sure those of us on the forum will find time to help you as well.

Do you have a general plan as of yet?

Post by **Lila** » February 17, 2006, 4:17 am

Ray23 you are correct, my dad is an Air Force vet & yes, he is a member of the local VFW here.

We did check out the Udon VFW site. I don't know how much he looked at it, initially, but in his attempts to return he ended up finding this site.

I found out today that my mom is from Nong Hin. Not as close to Udon as I thought.

Plans?? So far, arrive in Udon 23 June. Now that I know where we have to go, what's the best way to get there?

Post by **banpaeng** » February 17, 2006, 4:29 am

Would one of you guys please post the link to the VFW in Udon. I google it and either it won't open or I am on the wrong link.

Thanks.

Post by **Stevo** » February 17, 2006, 4:42 am

banpaeng wrote:Would one of you guys please post the link to the VFW in Udon. I google it and either it won't open or I am on the wrong link.

Thanks.

http://members.tripod.com/vfw10249/inde ... R4RIZ7P1Ws

Returning to Udon as an Adult

Returning to Udon as an Adult

Re: Returning to Udon as an Adult

Safety in Udorn and finding your roots

Coming back to Udorn

Returning to Udon