Bangkok Market

Luang Pra Bang

Morning Fire Light

Basket Prayer

alone in alone
river current drift
moon music hours

Dream Flow Bangkok

Night Monks on the River

Night Flow on the Chao Phraya River

Journey Laos

Luang Pra Bang

Monk Walk

Life Boat

Mehkong Moment

Sunset Plain of Jars

Loation Full Moon
Birth Crucible Graveyard
Ancient Story Living

Ancient Story

Burmese Border

I spent last weekend in the country near the Burmese border. The 5th of December is the King's birthday and my brother Rob's birthday. I went with some friends from Bangkok… it was a 6 hour drive, rice fields, mountain forests, streams, and orchid growers.

I went to an orphanage for border children. Soon it was, "Khun Lung"…Mr. Uncle…being an Uncle is one of my most favorite personal roles in life. There is truth, freedom, and love with my 4 nieces and nephews. It is wonderful the way it carries over to the other circumstances in the world for me.

So here is the start of some fun and more to come from these brave and natural children…

Bamboo Tiger Stream

Mountian path Pick-up

Orphans sing laughter.

Pnart is someone who has for the past 20 years lived on the Burmese border taking in refuge children. He is a master of singing bowl meditations and supports the orphanage by giving concerts. He as well has started a cottage industry in the town nearby. The locals make money sewing and he and his wife sell his fashions to tourists. It is one of the happier places on the planet I have ever been.

Postscript to the Program

The program finished, and I have turned in my reports to Washington. I am proud to be a part of a selected group of American artists and Embassy workers around the world who developed this State Department program since 1964. I want to add to my blog, the review section of outstanding individuals that created my program for me, with me and for the people of Thailand as well as for the good will and sincere intentions of The United States.

John with Ambassador John and his wife Sofia

I want to acknowledge Ambassador John and his wife Sofia, for recognizing me to be a good candidate for this program. I love to talk and share ideas. My programs and the content of my work were a good bridge to and for the Thai People. I thank Ambassador John and his wife for their active insight and support of this program and my extended involvement.

The Ambassador, a native Hoosier and Sofia are the best of "Who We Are".

Elizabeth Ash, in Washington. She provided structure and schedule all along the way. Her step by step approach allowed for the discovery and sharing of ideas and information in a timely and well organized fashion as to allow for the natural and professional creation, structure and unfolding of the actual program.

Ann Casper

Ann Casper in Bangkok did very well in terms of program oversight in Bangkok. She helped the whole program roll-out.

Sam Werberg

Sam Werberg is one of the finest people I have ever had the privlege of working with. He is smart, and emotionally balanced. With his affable company I was able to walk into each venue, prepared and relaxed. He really helped me to land on the aircraft carrier. He is like x-generation meets Borscht Belt comedian.

Khun Kelly Kanchalee

Last but not least, Khun Kelly Kanchalee. She is a Thai dedicated to the love and service of her country. She is professional and well thought out. In the field she became an active participant and partner in the delivery and explanation of my program.

She looked after me and kept focus with me as we walked through our program. Kelly Kanchalee is the field person with the insight of day-to-day Thai life who was able to so effectively create this program. She is a tireless team player and creator for the good of her Country and the Embassy she loves and works for.

Sadly, I close the chapter on the "John and Kelly Road Show".

Day 12

Day 12, Wednesday the 26th of November, was the last official day of my program. I had been sad for a few days already. I absolutely loved doing this work. This was such a rich experience of sharing and giving for me. Someday, if I make it to the ol' rockin chair, I will always have this… American Artist Abroad, a cultural diplomat for my country. A role given freely, supporting my humanistic ideas and art works. My country, my work, my life, the people of Thailand…it was the sweetest of opportunities and kismet for my life. I really did not want it to end.

Khon Kaen University Srinagarind group

So, the last day was spent at Srianagarind Hospital at Khon Kaen University. We worked with about 14 very ill children who were staying in the hospital. The director of their program was a kind and supportive man. Dr. Pope Kosalaraska.

John Domont with Dr. Kosalaraska of Khon Kaen University

Srinagarind Hospital coloring pages by the children

This was also a day when Ambassador John was in Khon Kaen on other business, but stopped by the hospital to lend his support as well.

Khon Kaen University Srinagarind with Ambassador John

Day 11

Mahasarakham students watching painting demonstration

There were two lectures in Khon Kaen on Tuesday the 25th. The first was at Mahasarakham Rajabhat University. This was a fun lecture as they had a lovely banner for me, lots of energy and I did a painting demonstration. As Michael Turner from the Embassy said, "Got game?…so I did. A rough-in of the morning impressions from an hours van ride to the university. I got game!

After painting demonstration

Then after a wonderful round of gifts and a review of a landscape show… we had a swell lunch. The green chicken curry with tiny round eggplants seems to be my favorite. Then a round of celebratory pictures and we were off to Khon Kaen University. The lecture was my last on this program. I dug deep and worked a bit harder than normal to give what I had. 

"it was a normal day, I lit a cigarette on a parkin meter and walked on down the road." (Dylan; Talkin World War 3 Blues)

Gifts from Mahasarakham University

Day 10

We flew from Chiang Rai to Bangkok, landed at the old airport, slid around the Yellows and Reds. By the way, the people of Thailand love ad adore their King, the Father. Everything else they tolerate. The Yellows and Reds, fractions of power bases, egos and lots of money. It is put to rest now. Their action has cost money, job loss and hardship.

As Dylan says; "We live in a political world, Love don't have any place. We're living in times where men commit crimes And crime don't have a face."

That about wraps up the story of greed as I see it here in Thailand, corrupt politicians were ousted. They should have surrendered to ethics when caught, but then… we live in a political world. Perhaps Obama will give that idea new dignity.

Tha-it Islamic School smiles

Wants to be Miss Universe

So we arrived in Bangkok at mid-day and went to the Thai-It Islamic School. A little intimidating to me, but a very warm and open group of young students. In fact in certain wys more alive and alert than any other school group we taught. They were polite, attentive and fun.

I did my lecture, got interviewed for the morning television program in Bangkok, and then we flew to the Northeast; to Khon Kaen.