Japanese Encounter

Not having found a trek to join I moved on thinking I'd try my luck in another place.  But before doing another trek I stopped in a small town called Khun Yuam.  The reason I stopped here is because of a small museum which documents the Japanese occupation of the area during WWII.


When I arrived in the down I disappointed to learn that the museum was closed because of refurbishments.  Downcast I walked to a temple that was used as a hospital by the Japanese.  When I arrived at the temple I was surprised to find a ceremony taking place.  A friendly Thai gentleman came over and explained to me it is the opening ceremony of the not yet open museum.  They were also unveiling a memorial monument for the soldiers that died here.


It was good to meet a few of the Japanese people involved in the ceremony.  I spent a few minutes chatting to Ito sensei (in English).  He is a visiting professor at Chiang Mai University.  Originally he is from Mie University in Japan in the Faculty of Engineering.  We spoke a little about life in Thailand and about the work he is doing in Thailand.


From the temple the procession relocated to the museum (still under construction) where we watched a short movie on the Japanese involvement in Thailand.  Because I was in my standard travelers uniform - shorts, t-shirt and flip-flops - I didn't feel very welcome among the suites, so I moved on and had a tasty lunch down the road.


I was told about a romantic story that unfolded after WWII.  One of the soldiers fell in love with a Thai lady when the Japanese were aided by the people of Khun Yuam.  When the Japanese surrendered and were retreating he decided to stay in Khun Yuam and married the Thai lady.  He lived there until his death in 2001.