My life at Thamkrabok

© Terence 2000

Arrived at Bangkok airport not knowing what to expect but I was guaranteed of one thing and that was it was going to be hot and I was right. Vince had arranged for someone to pick us up we just had to look for a board with my name on. The driving in Bangkok is a lot different to that in England most people here would probably end up with a lifetime ban from driving it is basically do what you want.

We arrived at Thamkrabok. My first impression when we were driving up the road was what have I let myself in for but it was too late to turn back now. Gone into office, I met one of the monks, Ongart who done all the necessary paper work. Then he asked me into this room and told me to strip off which took me by surprise even my underwear. And I put on some linen like trousers and top. Then he took me to the n that I would be living in with 3 other people. It was clean. I noticed that the others had their mattress on the floor. I would much rather be above ground (I do not like bugs). Then I had something to eat. I cannot remember what I ate now and went back to my room. The other people in the room started to talk to me that was very nice but I could not understand a word they were saying. But I am sure I will pick something up eventually.

I went to take my vow which I could not understand again but I knew I was going to stick to it 100% and now I have to prepare myself for the dreaded task of taking the medicine. The next day I had one small glass full of it, the same as the other 8 or so people in a line next to me. Then we had to drink this warm water which I found the hardest bit to do. While everybody next to me was throwing their guts up I was waiting for something to happen, then someone told me to stick my fingers down my throat and it happened I was sick. After that I went back to my room and went to sleep for a while or most of the day. As I was still a bit jet lagged, I got up to eat more food usually sweets and chocolate. And then go back to sleep at 2 o’clock every day we have more medicine which comes like a cup of tea not as bad as the one in the morning then we go for a sauna. Then I would have a bath (or shower in English) and go back to my room because for the first 5 days you are very limited to where you can go which used to drive me mad. At about 5-6 o’clock we would have dinner outside for me it was usually fried rice and chicken which tastes very nice but their was one problem FLIES I hate them and they are continually buzzing around your food so I was rushing my food and not really enjoying it, but it was then that I met Tyra she was half American & Thai but she could speak English which soon became a big help to me with communicating with other people, we got on quite well. During the first 5 days the routine became very much the same so to whoever may read this make sure if you are going to come out here bring lots of things to occupy your mind as you will have a lot of free time on your hands. Within those first 5 days, it was my 31 birthday, which I celebrated in totally different, from which I have done in previous years, i.e. smoking loads of drugs and drinking as much as I could get down me, and going clubbing. This year I woke up early and opened the card from my girlfriend Sally who I miss so much and the cards from my mum and dad and Vince. Then I went to do the throwing up part, but it was not alcohol this time. But later in the evening I was told as it was my birthday I could go along with the monks to the temple where they do a chant you really have to be their to experience it (brilliant)

Each day I had a nun called Suganya come to visit me in the morning, always with lots of fruit which I appreciate very much. And she would take me out and show me around Thamkrabok because there is a lot to see the Buddha’s, so many of them are very large as well some of the temples that are being built and other projects that are in the process of being done. I even got myself involved in some of the foundation work. On one of the sites, there is a lot to do and see if you want to make the effort to and I’m sure there is a lot more for me to see if I don’t spend so much time in bed.

At the other end of Thamkrabok, there is a village where the Hmong people live. It would really open your eyes up if you come from England, which we moan about having a bad time you just have to come here and see how easy we really do have it. They live in shacks, no running water. I see the kids playing on building sites which are potentially dangerous and then there’re people like me who are paying to put things down their throat or elsewhere that are life threatening. I think I’m beginning to realise that I take so much for granted when I could have been one of the Hmong people living day to day.

When I go back to England, I will be out of work. And hopefully I will be able to find something that I can help people whom might be in the same position that I was in. I would fully recommend them coming to Thamkrabok because it really gives you the chance to find yourself again and become a happier and more relaxed person. It does take a bit of getting used to but it’s all worth it in the end. Me personally I feel a lot stronger and more confident in myself but my real test will be when I return to England but the way I feel I shouldn’t worry about it and take it as a new start in life.

Thank you to all the people of Thamkrabok monastery and to those that paid me that bit of extra Attention, nun Suganya, Ongart, Tong, East West Detox as in Mike Sarson who put me on to this in the first place ,Vince Cullen who brought me out here my real friends, my Mum & Dad and most of all to the woman who made it all possible Sally.

I can’t say enough to thank you all.

See also ‘Scoured to the Soul’

-ooOoo-