NTMCC Thailand Tour
January 23 – 24 2010
The Case begins.
It was in the early autumn of 2009 when I, Gaston L'Eft, was approached to undertake this most curious of cases. To investigate the irrational behaviour of a group of cricketers who appeared to have been mesmerized by their club president.
Over the months following the end of their “Season” I followed most closely their communications and applied my small brain cells to solving the mystery.
It became apparent after a short time that the reason for the Trip to Thailand (not a pub) was in celebration of their club's existence, 30 years old and still running.
And so it was in December 2009 that I, Gaston L'Eft accompanied by my friend, aide and companion Michael Seaside-Resort (of the Devon Seaside-Resorts) laid plans to follow the two players who were to arrive first at the team destination of Chiang Mai, Thailand.
There is little to tell of our outward journey, we followed them at a distance through the check in procedure and on into the departure lounge from there on to the airplane and the cattle transport like confines of Thai Airways economy class. On our arrival in Bangkok we watched their increasingly frantic attempts to find the correct departure gate for the leg to Chiang Mai and not wishing to reveal ourselves were gratified to see them arrive at Gate A7 with 10 minutes to spare. How lucky they were to fly Business Class onward to Chiang Mai, this made up for having had so long in Cattle Class from Heathrow.
An uneventful Business Class flight to Chiang Mai saw the pair arrive and negotiate Thai Customs with their bags. Where they asked was the promised bus, finding none they took a taxi to their hotel. The Newt, for so he is named, was surprised to receive a telephone call from his President asking why he was at the hotel and not on the bus and it was here that it was revealed that the promised transport had been waiting at the domestic terminal, not the last error the overweight amphibian was to make on the tour.
Following a brief rest the two new arrivals decided to take in the town and wandered in a somewhat aimless fashion into the old walled city of Chiang Mai. Their feet eventually dragged them to the Mad Dog Bar in old Chiang Mai and here they sampled the delights of Laotian beer. “I reckon there's something in this” sayeth the more Australian of the two and maybe he is right but I suspect it has more to do with Jet Lag and fatigue.
Stopping only to purchase a Thai mobile telephone they returned to their Hotel for a refresh and then after a hurried beer in the hotel bar set out into the night in search of O'Malley's Bar in the Night Market.
Their taxi dropped them at The Meridian hotel, it is important that we remember this name as it will feature in the events of the following day, and they set out on foot for O'Malley's where they met up with many more of the team, it was good to see such joyous greetings exchanged and to note the beautiful women who had chosen to throw in their lot with such a band of near ruffians.
What can I say? Perhaps we should have split and followed the group as it gradually fragmented but we decided to stick with the two we knew best. Expecting them to visit a Thai restaurant we were disappointed when the main group left the bar and went next door to an Indian restaurant, do not get me wrong I have nothing but praise for Indian food but we were in Thailand after all.
A very late night and it was nearly 03:00 when we were permitted to take to our beds.
Day Two
Believing that no harm could possibly befall the two we had chosen to put under surveillance I decided that my companion and I would rise late and visit the Gymkhana Club later that afternoon.
I should have known better, when I later heard that the fat one had sprained his ankle it really did not surprise me, that he had been sober when it occurred, that, was a surprise.
I learned that he had tripped up the pavement near the night market whilst he and his comrade where looking for their fellows. Apparently they and their compatriots believed that were staying at the Meridian Hotel, this proved not to be the case and it was only some hours later that they tracked them down to the Imperial Mai Ping which was not exactly “next door” to the Meridian.
I also learned that they had ventured back to Mad Dog Bar with their team mates only to be summoned for nets at the club. This required that they return to the team hotel to get the transport. There only being one tuk tuk available for transport it required that all four of them take it, the site of four grown men (messrs Tank, Bal, Newling and Zemlich) on board one small transport designed for two passengers is something I think I would have paid to see.
We watched them in their net training and then returned to our hotel amused to have heard the Japanese golfing gentlemen complain about the Hockey players.
We did not track them to the restaurant that night believing, correctly, that nothing untoward would befall. The riverside restaurant was I understand all that anyone could ask, the food excellent and the company better, The team captain, young Capleton, even caught the eye of a certain young woman who was heard to exclaim to the other girls serving “He's so lovely” sadly I suspect that the union would have been impossible until one of them had made major changes in their plumbing.
The most excellent meal ended to a chorus of riverside frogs a most excellent evening and those present gave thanks to their President and his companion the lovely CNC for his and her's hard work in organising the event.
Alas we had not considered the opportunities for mischief once they had returned to the hotel.
It appears that they (the team) took themselves off to a bar owned by the wife of one of the organisers (Dave) of the cricket at the Gymkhana Club. A very great quantity of beer was consumed whilst they played billiards further, it seems that two of their number stumbled upon a bar that contained a number of entertaining if not enchanting “young ladies”. The first to notice the attraction was James Farmer, viewing it must be said from a distance, who bringing the view to the attention of Dave Newling was surprised to see a “young lady” take her shot, disappear from view and on her return to be seen dangling a cigarette from her mouth in a most masculine fashion. This revelation spurred on messrs Bajzert and Strong to entertain these “girls” on the pool table and further to persuade the others to join them at the new bar. All this to the consternation of Dave whom it must be reported reminds us of that most notorious heavy rock musician Hotblack Desiato. Dave informed the team that the girls were perhaps not all or more correctly more than they seemed and were in the case of one of their number who bore more than a passing resemblance to the glamour model Jordan not so much “Katie” Price as “Kevin” or as Dave Newling was heard to observe on learning that “she” was post operative “Cut”.
The evening, like cheap makeup, wore away and eventually everyone retired to their beds.
Day Three
The day of the first match. Eventually everyone including Julian Bajzert, that notoriously bad keeper of time, assembled at the ground for that most momentous of occasions The First NTMCC Overseas Tour Match. The first match was to have been a straight 40 over affair but was reduced to 30 overs on account of the heat and time available.
The crowd gathered, the beauties of NTMCC Kay, Anne, Penny, CNC, Kiki and Jane outshining even the sun and the local butterflies.
Two teams were required but who would be in which team?
For the record the teams are:
Capleton's Crusaders
Paul Capleton, Andrew Michel, Dhiraj Tank, Hardev Bal, Mike Zemlich, James Farmer, Brian Gulland, Dave Newling, The Crusaders overseas players were Pepsi, Pong and Ping.
The Desert Orchids
Simon Strong, Julian Bajzert, Mahmud Mirza, Gareth Neale, Richard Harvey, James Murton Laight. The ex-pat brigade of Vinny Whatley and Colin Hastings, The Orichids overseas players were Foremot, Nikom and Pit.
And so mes ami, would the Orchids wilt in the heat or would the Crusaders return to Byzantium in need of water. Who, in deference to the local Lepidoptera, would play the Pyrgus malvae and who the Pyrgus alveus bearing in mind that all would be Philudoria potatoria later that day.
The toss is made and won by Simon Strong aka Dessie.
The Desert Orchids decide to bat.
The first match is to be one of 30 overs.
The batsmen follow the umpires out to the centre and play begins.
Messrs Foremot (I do hope that I've spelled that correctly) and Bajzert to the front.
A good start with seven off the first over then 11 off the second, then it settles as Bal and Zemlich get a grip conceding only 10 off the next four overs. 28 off six.
A change of bowling and enter Pepsi, the Crusaders overseas signing. Eight off his first over and then in his second over, he strikes and his countryman is gone for two caught by Gulland. Enter Mahmud and it's a run first ball.
Mr Farmer bowling now and his turn for a wicket “Le Chemise”, “El Shirto”, “The Shirt”, Mr Bajzert is gone for 23. Stumped by The Crusader. Two for 44 off Nine.
The crowd goes mild.
Enter Mr Whatley an NTMCC player of old and feared for his skill with bat and ball but as an injured player, he has collected some muscle strain in past weeks, who knows.
Next wicket down is Mr Mirza LBW to The Newt. Three for 55 off 12.
Mr Whatley does not look happy and sure enough after collecting only seven runs he is out snaffled by the Tank at first slip off the bowling of Pong another of the Crusaders overseas signings.
Four for 55 off 13.
The crowd are agog with indifference.
Mr Strong and Mr Neale at the crease now until Gareth gives too little respect to The Newt and is stumped by the by now very sweaty Capleton on six having come too far down the track intent on smiting the bowler for six.
Five for 65 off 15.
Colin Hastings to the crease and he and Simon take the score to 86 before The Big Chilli himself falls to The Newt, bowled middle and off for 14.
Enter Mr Laight, who having been in the nets at the Oval seeks to impress but where are the spiffy glasses he was sporting at Dogmersfield will the lack spoil his performance.
No lack of ability on the square now and Simon and James push the score along to 158 in the 28th over before another wicket, that of Mr Laight goes down bowled for 16 by a returned and not yet flat Pepsi.
El Presidente to the crease now and he and Simon put on another 15 runs in the last two overs leaving Capleton's Crusaders needing 5.8 an over to win.
At the end of the Orchids innings Simon Strong 61 Not Out and Richard Harvey eight Not Out.
We have spoken of the batsmen and the bowlers but what of the fielders who if not bowling toiled in the heat to prevent too high a score by the opposition. There were some fielding blunders but on the whole none worthy of comment although some aware that he was unshod were waiting for Mr Gulland to stop one with an unbooted foot.
Lunch and drinks. The teams expressing their thanks to CNC and all helpers for the iced energy drinks and food.
Would Capleton's Crusaders, by now somewhat toasted by the sun be able to take up the challenge? Would Dessie's fine flowers be restored?
174 to win at 5.8 runs per over.
Let battle commence!
The Crusaders openers take to the field of valour in gladiatorial style, enter Messrs Bal and Tank.
Is this a remake of The Flashing Blade? It begins to look like it.
Although it looks as if runs are coming easily off the bat looks belie the truth that the Crusaders are not keeping up with the run rate and by the first drinks interval the required run rate has crept up to 6.3 and then in the 15th over Mr Bal finds that his fingers have swollen and that he can no longer grip the bat and with his personal score on 46 and the team score at 93 he retires, unable to continue. We assume that the heat is the culprit and will make no obvious comparisons.
Enter our (I find that I have become quite attached to this game and its players) heroic Captain, the Crusader himself. Eschewing his cape he takes to the field. 81 to win at 5.4 an over required.
Alas the heat takes its toll and rather than seeing his team to victory with the bat he is bowled by the only shooter of the day I hear tell but we cannot be so sure, after all the are the evenings revells to consider! The heat of the Big Chilli being too much, Mr Hastings has a scalp!
Enter Mr Zemlich, of whom we have heard little so far, and he takes up the bat and begins to make for the home stretch.
Where there is one there is surely two and such was the case and The Tank departs having made his 50. D Tank LBW for 58 in the 25th over.
Enter young Pong who having bowled well now has a go with the bat.
Five overs left and five runs required.
Slow stuff, a single for Pong then a two for The Zimmer another single to MZ and Pong is on strike and hits the winning run.
Victory to the Crusaders! Dessie's Saladin is vanquished.
Scorecard
Innings of The Desert Orchids
Foremot
Bajzert
Mirza
Whatley
Neale
Strong
Hastings
Murton – Laight
Harvey
Nikom
Pit
|
ct Gulland b Pepsi 2
st Capleton b Farmer 23
LBW b Newling 2
ct Tank b Pong
st Capleton b Newling
Not Out 61
b Newling 14
b Pepsi 16
Not Out 8
Did not bat
Did not Bat |
Extras 34 Total 173 for 7 off 30
Bowling
Bal 6 0 23 0
Zemlich 3 1 10 0
Pepsi 3 0 26 2
Farmer 6 1 27 1
Pong 3 0 16 1
Newling 4 1 6 3
Tank 3 0 18 0
Gulland 2 0 24 0
Innings of Capleton's Crusaders
Tank LBW bForemot 58
Bal Retired Hurt 46
Capleton b Hastings 7
Zemlich Not Out 37
Pong Not Out 2
Farmer Did Not Bat
Michel Did Not Bat
Newling Did Not Bat
Gulland Did Not Bat
Pepsi Did Not Bat
Ping Did Not Bat
Extras 25 Total 174 for 2 off 30
Bowling
Bajzert 6 0 25 0
Strong 3 0 19 0
Mirza 6 1 24 0
Neale 3 0 26 0
Hastings 3 0 27 1
Foremot 4 0 29 1
Murton – Laight 2 0 22 0
Drinks and celebrations at the bar, what finer way to end a day?
The prospect of a Barbeque under the Rain Tree in front of the Club House thrills.
Time to change but first thanks to all those who made the day wonderful, thanks to the scorers and the greens man who made the wicket.
Thanks to all who laboured so that the players may have fun.
A refreshing shower and more beers, then dinner under the stars.
These Englishmen know how to live.
On the way back to the Hotel the Newt announces that his liver and kidneys have presented a petition for a night off and as such he is minded to have an early night.
There is general speculation that this is a ruse and that he is determined to “Fight the Gibbon”, as promised by one of the many brochures on display in the travel booths, unobserved by his team mates we can only hope that this is not a euphemism.
We too take to our rooms for an early night and so all else that passes this Saturday night is nothing but speculation and rumor.
Thai women are notably beautiful and slender and so Mr Zemlich returning late to his hotel was very sensible we think to avoid the dark brown overtures coming from a side alley suggesting that he could be wanted, we feel that it would have ended in tears.
Day Four
The Newt full of the joys of spring and an invigorated liver calls for Mr Zemlich who looks as if he should have had a night off.
Breakfast is taken, a taxi called and two of the NTMCC head for the Gymkhana Club for the second match.
A double Twenty - Twenty match, an International first, putting Thailand and The Chiang Mai Gymkhana Club on the Cricket map or it would were they not already there by virtue of the Chiang Mai sixes, something the NTMCC boys must look into for the future.
The teams to remain almost the same except that now some local ex pat cricketing luminaries are included in the line ups.
The Desert Orchids are reduced to ten men and it is agreed that players from the Crusaders will fill in for the missing fielder. Owing to the heat drinks will be taken every ten overs.
The Crusaders win the toss and elect to bat.
First Innings of Capleton's Crusaders
The skipper and Mr Andrew Michel stride out to the crease.
First ball and a single to the skipper, Mr Michel on strike and first blood to the Orchids!
Mr Michel bowled first ball by The Bad Shirt to become the founder member of the NTMCC 6000 club. Capleton's Crusaders One for One with two balls bowled.
Mr Farmer to the crease and over the next three overs 26 runs are added and then in the fifth over The Shirt strikes. But what is this? The catch off Mr Bajzert's bowling is taken by a Crusader fielding as sub, none other than Mr Bal, an excellent bit of fielding but it returns our skipper to the boundary. Crusaders two for 36 with five overs bowled.
Enter Mr Gulland suitably booted and the score pushes along to 51 in the 9th over and Mr Gulland is run out following a No! Yes!, Yes!, No! Misunderstanding with Mr Farmer.
The Crusaders three for 51 off nine.
Mr Dodds now to the crease, a new local signing for the Crusaders and a full blood cricket coach at that.
The score fairly ticks away now 70 off 12, 87 off 15, the hundred up in the 17th, 135 reached in the 19th over and with the score at 143 for three and one ball remaining Mahmud strikes removing Mr Farmer adjudged LBW for 54 off the last ball.
The players leave the field in search of much needed drinks and a ten minute break before the Desert Orchids take the field to bat.
First Innings of The Desert Orchids
Neale and Hastings to the crease. It's a slow start for the Orchids five runs off the first three overs and then in the fourth over Mr Neale departs bowled by the mighty Zemlich for two. Orchids seven for one off four.
Mr Mirza to the crease, can he up the run rate? He scores 19 and then has to retire his knee having wilted in the heat.
Harry (the Horrible Haggler) Bal lets go a slow one and Mr Hastings perishes for 15.
Mr Whatley to the crease, what can the injured player manage in this heat?
He does well and after Mahmud's departure is joined by the ever young Julian Bajzert and the score fairly races along with the score at 112 off and in the last over two quick wickets fall to Mr James Farmer. Whatley stumped on 64 and Bajzert bowled on three. Messrs Strong and Harvey add one apiece and finish the innings one Not Out.
First innings figures.
Crusaders
Capleton Ct Sub (Bal) b Bajzert 23
Michel Bowled b Bajzert 0
Farmer LBW b Mirza 54
Gulland Run Out (Whatley) 9
Dodds Not Out 39
Zemlich Did not bat
Newling Did not bat
Bal Did not bat
Tank Did not bat
Simmonds Did not bat
Hanlon Did not bat
Extras 18
Crusaders 143 for four.
Bajzert 5 0 23 2
Pong 2 0 22 0
Whatley 3 0 16 0
Papworth 3 0 16 0
Mirza 5 0 43 1
Harvey 2 0 18 0
The Desert Orchids
Neale Bowled b Zemlich 2
Hastings Bowled b Bal 15
Mirza Retired Hurt 19
Whatley St Capleton b Farmer 64
Bajzert Bowled b Farmer 3
Harvey Not Out 1
Strong Not Out 1
Extras 6
The Desert Orchids 114 for four
Bal 4 0 9 1
Zemlich 4 0 22 1
Newling 4 0 25 0
Simmonds 1 0 9 0
Hanlon 3 0 17 0
Tank 2 0 18 0
Farmer 2 0 11 2
Into lunch and Capleton's Crusaders have a lead of 29 runs
An excellent Lunch was taken and then, back to the field for the second innings.
Second Innings
The second innings was reduced to 18 overs a side.
Capleton's Crusaders second innings.
Taking to the crease Mr Hanlon and Mr Newling, Newling elevated beyond his accustomed number 11 slot so that he might get a bat having travelled so far. (we just know how this is going to go, don't we readers).
First ball to Hanlon and one run, Newling on strike, Whatley sends down a slowish ball outside off, a thick top edge, It's mine, It's mine shouts the keeper James Murton – Laight and he pouches it. Newling goes for a Golden Duck and becomes the second member of the NTMCC 6000 club. Capleton's Crusaders 1 for 1 off two balls.
Horrible Harry the Haggler Bal to the crease to see out the over.
Dessie himself takes the second over and with the very first ball there is a wicket. Bal gone for five ct sub (Capleton). The Crusaders two for seven off seven balls. What price revenge?
To the crease Mr Michel. With the next ball we lose Mr Hanlon. Things are looking bleak.
Crusaders three for seven in 10 balls.
Mr Hanlon's departure brings Mr Tank to the crease and now the rebuild begins.
It is not long though before the heat begins to tell and Mr Michel is forced to retire having scored six runs. This brings Mr Zemlich to the crease and runs start to flow from the bat.
By the 10th over the Crusaders are on 45 but in the 14th over Mr Tank sheds a track and retires on 30. This event brings Mr Capleton to the crease and after surviving an LBW appeal that was turned down by the umpire, the fact that the umpire was his loving father having absolutely nothing whatever to do with the decision, Mr Capleton and Mr Zemlich proceed in a Southerly direction toward the final over.
The final over with the score on 123, Capleton on strike, Papworth bowling and The Crusader mistimes it and is stumped not even nepotism can save him here.
Capleton stumped Murton – Laight b Papworth for 23. The Crusaders 123 for four off very nearly 18 overs. (17.3)
The loss of Capleton brings Mr Dodds to the crease for the last three balls and a further 4 runs are added allowing Mr Zemlich to bring up his 50, he may have done this earlier but no one was paying attention.
Capleton's Crusaders 127 for four off 18 156 runs ahead.
Second Innings of The Desert Orchids.
Requiring 157 to win off 18 overs at 8.72 an over.
Mr Strong and Mr Whatley into bat and bat they do, starting with six off the first over.
They seem unstoppable runs flow from the bat and at the the first drinks break the Crusaders are feeling the strain.
The Desert Orchids 70 off 10.
More runs and things are looking bleak for the Crusaders and it's not until the 14th over with the score on 107 that the Crusaders manage a breakthrough.
Strong bowled Capleton ct Zemlich for 50 a great innings by Simon and a potentially match winning catch by Mike Zemlich who having found a shady place to hide was lurking on the boundary.
Mr Bajzert to the crease and he is clearly in a mood to bring home the bacon as he immediately sets about the bowling in a style more reminiscent of the Caped Crusader, Biff! Pow! Kablam! But just as things are going the Orchid's way Whatley is out! Caught and bowled Tank for 67. Mr Harvey El Presidente himself to the crease but there are just not enough balls left for the win.
The Desert Orchids lose by five runs.
A great match that someone had to win.
Second Innings Figures.
Capleton's Crusaders
Hanlon Bowled b Strong 1
Newling Caught Murton Laight b Whatley 0
Bal Caught Capleton b Strong 5
Michel Retired Hurt 6
Tank Retired Hurt 30
Zemlich Not Out 50
Capleton Stumped b Papworth 23
Dodds Not Out 2
Simonds Did Not Bat
Gulland Did Not Bat
Farmer Did Not Bat
Whatley 2 0 13 1
Strong 2 0 9 2
Bajzert 4 0 27 0
Pong 6 0 42 0
Papworth 4 0 32 1
Extras 9
Capleton's Crusaders 127 for 4 off 18.
The Desert Orchids
Whatley Caught and Bowled b Tank 67
Strong Caught Zemlich b Capleton 50
Bajzert Not Out 25
Harvey Not Out 0
Pong Did Not Bat
Hastings Did Not Bat
Neale Did Not Bat
Murton Laight Did Not Bat
Papworth Did Not Bat
Simmonds MIA
Bal 4 0 14 0
Farmer 4 0 29 0
Hanlon 2 0 34 0
Newling 2 0 17 0
Zemlich 3 0 22 0
Capleton 2 0 20 1
Tank 1 0 11 1
Extras 9
The Desert Orchids 151 for 2 off 18.
Drinks, Cheers and Congratulatory back slapping all round, a wonderful two days of cricket for all involved.
Now for refreshing showers and more beer and then after confusing the bar staff of the gymkhana club with requests for beers they don't have, the awards.
As a penitence each player called forward for an award is expected to down a shot of Tequila!
The “Cricket's the Winner” Award
Paul Capleton for his catching of Hardev Bal.
The “Ubique” Award for being everywhere on the field.
James Farmer
The “Actually being quite a good bowler” Award
Dave Newling for not being taken apart by the batting.
The “Catch that won the match” Award
Mike Zemlich for his catch of Simon Strong on the boundary.
The “Good Batting” Award, The “Ridiculous Cap” Award and “The Balls of Steel” Award.
Dhiraj Tank for his batting, his cap and for bowling the very last over and maintaining his composure.
The “Furry Freak” Award for Dismissals
Brian Gulland.
The “Golden Duck” Award and “The Out Shirt the Shirt” Award
Andrew Michel for the First, Out First Ball and that shirt.
The “MIA” Award
Mr Simmonds
The “Most Dropped Catches” Award
Chris Dodds for 4 dropped catches despite being the only bona fide cricket coach on the pitch.
The “Whippet in the Field” Award and The “Shouting at People” Award.
Simon Strong for shouting at Thai School Children and an almost match winning innings.
The “Most Serious Cricketer” Award
Mahmud Mirza for seriousness in the face of levity.
The “Hairy as the Gymkhana Rain Tree” Award
Gareth Neale
The “Worst Time Keeping” Award
Julian Bajzert
The “Over Zealous” Award
James Murton – Laight
The “Top Gear for Driving” Award and The “My Arm Hurts” Award
Colin Hastings
The “Showing Up all the Tourists” Award
Mr Papworth
The “Mr Competitive” Award
Hardev Bal for catching his skipper when sub
The “Umpires award for Nepotism” Award
Henry Capleton
And Finally
The “Oxyura jamaicensis” Award for travelling 6000 miles only to be out first ball.
Joint Winners
Andrew Michel and Dave Newling
What we had not expected was Mr Bajzert's suicide Tequila. Mon Dieu! To put Lime juice in your own eyes either suicidal or mad. It does however explain a great deal.
And Finally, Finally.
To CNC our hearfelt thanks for all her hard work.
Thanks again to all those who made this trip possible and who cared for us during our stay.
And of course remembering always Doctor Joe Colston.
Another wild night out in Chiang Mai. Thai food, the site of Brian Gulland and Julian Bajzert having their feet nibbled by fish and more beer in Bar Hotblack.
And thence to Bangkok.
We were flying back to Bangkok my colleague and I but I understand that some members of NTMCC were taking the night train.
While we followed Newling and Zemlich to the airport the other members of the team were preparing to go their separate ways.
We had learnt that Julian and the lovely Jane were heading for Cambodia and thence for a river cruise to, in Mr Bajzerts words return to Thailand and take Richard from behind.
I do hope the poor man is prepared.
We arrived in Bangkok in the late afternoon and soon discovered that Newling and Zemlich had, had a torrid time with their taxi driver. Trying to sell them members of his family and attempting to play them DVD's with a dubious content and all the while making wild and lewd suggestions regarding the night life available.
We stayed in our rooms that night but I believe that Zemlich and Newling went walk about and discovered very near to the hotel a cocktail bar with live music.
The following morning the main party arrived tired and dishevelled there having been some problem with their transport. It seems that the train had broken down and they on enquiring were told that the first class passengers would be accommodated in the second class section with extra pillows and that second class passengers would be given the third class berths with extra pillows. Our friends were shocked and asked what was to become of the third class passengers. They will get out and push otherwise we shall never get there, was the information received.
A lunch party was held at a superb restaurant and some very fine Thai cuisine and Gin and Tonics had.
I do not believe that we should say anything about what happened to our intrepid cricketers in Bangkok, what happens on tour surely stays on tour. Mais oui!
There are stories and people who know the truth.
The party finally broke up with the members taking final farewells and heading for their own destinations.
James and Ann to Laos
Kay onward to Australia
Simon onward to Austria for skiing
All the others to Pattaya to stay with Richard and CNC
My colleague and I returned to Great Britain following, as ever Newling and Zemlich.
My report such as it is, is this. They were not mesmerised by anything other than the prospect of a game of cricket in the warm in January. There was no conspiracy and no foul play and so from my point of view it was not extraordinary.
Indeed it seems that they are all eager to repeat the experience.
Gaston L'Eft
