1961 Visit to Thailand - Part 1 [Part 2]

In June of 1961 Keith was returning to the US after a year's military mission assignment in Saudi Arabia.  He was flying home on a US Embassy flight.  He had originally planned to stop in Thailand only briefly before completing his trip home.  However, he fell in love with the magical country of Thailand and stayed as long as he could (9-10 days).  Many years have passed since then and he has been able to return in more recent times.  While in the country in 1961, Keith took at least 2 rolls of 35 mm pictures.  These old slides have languished over the years in less than ideal storage conditions.  Most have been recovered, scanned and presented here in 2 photo albums.  An attempt has been made to put individual slides in the proper roll group and in the order they were taken, however no guarantees are made on this attempt. A few days after this visit, Keith wrote the following to one of his Army buddies:

I arrived in the oriental country of Thailand, late in the afternoon.  I caught a cab into Bangkok and then made arrangements to stay  in one of the rooms at the JUSMAAG villas.  Also I was able to utilize the facilities of the MAAG group there, including the Villa Club (NC0 club), PX and commissary. … Later I did get out to see more of Bangkok and some of the country side.  I got acquainted with a Thai fellow who works for a tourist agency and he took me around to the sites of interest - and they were of interest.  Actually, I was more impressed with the scenic places and rich culture in Thailand than in any other country which I have been in.  We saw most of the famous Thailand temples, the floating markets (where the people live and work on and along a system of canals), some of the villages out in the country, the farming areas, the Thai classical dancing, Thai boxing and many of the great number of interesting sites.  … This little country is really fabulous - the people friendly - the women beautiful - and the art and culture fascinating. [See last "Letter Home."]

If you can help us identify any of these places or correct any mistakes, please write to Keith at:

[Note: Dear friend Ratta Arwutwittaya from Ban Pong (near Nakom Pakhon) as supplied additional identifying information presented in green type below. Can you add any more?]