Heated debate over dinner as Cornelia shocked about the inequality in Thailand and the lack of workers' rights. The sweet Burmese waitress, Cho, explained how the General and his men took all the money and how desperately poor people were in Burma. She escaped with her father 5 years ago. He went back after a few months leaving her working as a beach sweeper at these bungalows. In 5 years she's made it to front of house waitress, married a fellow Burmese and has just been home for the first time for a two week holiday. The money she makes she sends home to pay for her brother's education. She plans to save up money and start a family but she'll have to continue working in Thailand and her parents will raise the child in Burma. All Burmese intend to return home if Aung San Suu Chi becomes leader.
Before leaving London we saw the film about her life, 'The Lady'. Her sacrifice seems so much more meaningful now.
This is our last day on Koh Phangan. The storm in the night and unrelenting rain makes ieaving less hard. The best option was to walk up to Wangsai waterfall.
I'll take the 7am slow boat to Surat Thani and make my way up to Chaiya to the 10-day silent retreat at Watt Suan Mokkh.
Simone & Cornelia will catermaran over to Chumpon and bus to Hua Hin and a national park in search of tigers and bears. I'll be meeting up with them again in Cambodia.
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