Boon Pakwet

In our village, the big party prior to this year's Thai New Year (Somkran) was Boon Pakwet. Here are some scenes from the two day party that included prayers for a bountiful rice harvest, money trees presented to us from neighboring villages, and a good deal of alcohol:

I wrote a bit about Boon Pakwet at:  http://the-isaan.blogspot.com/2012/05/boon-pakwet.html

Fishing The Klong

My first month retired in Thailand (March 2012), I joined the guys out at the klong. Here's some footage:

Osric's Coming!

Osric Mireu Gault-Williams is scheduled to arrive on or around June 11, 2012:

ISAAN, March 2012

Random scenes from my first month retired in Thailand:

"Life In A Thai-Lao Village"

I am now writing about my retirement in Northeast Thailand at:

http://the-isaan.blogspot.com/

Da Boyz

Da Boyz... from Thanksgiving, in Ojai, 2011:

Bann Noen Soong Pleui

I have made my transition to Thailand. Here's a map of our village and properties:


View Noen Soong Pleui, Thailand in a larger map

With Family in The Fort

My trip to visit Family in Florida exceeded my expectations. Here are some shots taken by Dad in Fort Myers, February 2012:

2011 / 2554 Remembered

When combined, 2010 and 2011 were just really GREAT years for my immediate family. Here are a few images I consider my "best of":

Das, final year as Santa Barbara City Councilman, 2010

Das won election to the California State Assembly right after Senyo and Diana were married, Fall 2010:

When Das was sworn in, Thip and I visited with my cousin Barry and his wife Joyce:

Meanwhile, Kulthida (Ray) was attending college in Bangkok:




When the new year rolled around, Das and Jonnie got hitched:

My adopted parents continued on in great form and my sister Ann was even caught in a classic shot with Dad (retired Methodist minister E.S. Gault):

Unfortunately, mid-year, Thip's parents both took a turn for the worse, necessitating her returning to Thailand to help take care of them. At the same time, she was able to move into our "new" home in The Village:

Das ended his first year as a State Assemblyman with many wins. The best one was getting his Old Man Malc out surfing on a regular basis!

Das fighting "The Privatization Beast" in defense of Public Libraries

As the year ended, I retired from the University of California and had time to contemplate my year and a half as a hardcore multi-player Gamer... It's been so much fun!

And now I am making preparations for leaving my home of 15 years to move in with Das and Jonnie in their home in Santa Barbara... and spend the majority of my time in Thailand with Thip.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL! We hope this year has been as good for you as it has been for us ... and that this next year is even better!

Our Home Blessed

October 27, 2011 was recognized by all monks as a special time to move in to a new home. Many Thai people made moves on this day. We were one:

Ajan Boon Long, Thip's cousin and the son of the man who originally built our house (Lungta Wah, R.I.P.). He is our family monk, in Bann Noen Soong Pleui, Isaan, Thailand.

Khun Paw (on right), Thip's father, in upstairs ceremony.

Village Monks.

Thip was so excited to have Ajan Boon Long and the village monks do our home blessing!

So happy I can make my wife so happy...

Kopavi Questioning

A good shot of my youngest son, Kopavi: 


"Dad, you're kidding me, right?"

Khun Paw Takes a Shower

Thip's father, Nah, took advantage of a summertime rain during the Monsoon Season in Northeast Thailand (The Isaan) in front of the family house in Nong Soong Pleui:

Das and Jonnie Elope!

It was another momentous moment for our families... Das and Jonnie tied the knot, "got hitched," 22 January 2011:

2010 / 2553

This was just a fantastic year for our family, in good degree because of friends, supporters and family. Thank you, everyone. Let's make 2011 even better!

Senyo & Diana Honeymoon on O`ahu

In the early part of November 2010, Senyo and Diana celebrated their marriage by honeymooning on O`ahu. Pictures are at: Senyo and Diana's Adventures