A Thai soldier and a farmer teach a U.S. Army soldier how to plow a rice field in Thanon Hak. Photo by A1C LuCelia Nagel, USAF

Children at the Eastern Child Welfare Protection Institution in Rayong province play patty cake with U.S. Marine LCpl. Amber Johnston. Photo by 2nd Lt. Antony J. Andrious, USMC

Children at the Eastern Child Welfare Protection Institution joke with U.S. Marine Sgt. Hector Rivera. Photo by Spec. Steven J. Schneider, USA

Thai Village Visit

Near the village of Thanon Hak, five U.S. service members participated in a rice planting ceremony. The group, welcomed with waves and smiles by the local Thais, first stopped at a rice field, where they observed Thai farmers using water buffalo to plow the field. Two members of the group got a chance to plow, with assistance from a Thai farmer. The farmers explained that the rice plants would eventually grow to about waist high.

The group next visited the villagers and sampled some food, including a spicy Papaya salad and a desert dish made from coconut milk and jasmine rice, baked into custard. “The food was very exotic and the villagers used a lot of local vegetables and fruits,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark Zimmer. “I was not familiar with some foods, and they also used foods I was familiar with in unique ways. For instance, I was unaware that coconuts could be eaten green, but the people cook them that way and it tasted very good.” After the food tasting, the group had a chance to view Thai silk and other food products offered at a small market.

“The village people are some of the warmest and friendliest you could ever hope to meet,” said Lt. Col. Zimmer. “Even though there is a language barrier between us, with gestures and smiles, they managed to communicate their hospitality and happiness at our visit.”

Children listen to U.S. Air Force Maj. Tiffani Donahua during an English class at Surathampitak School. Photo by Spec. Steven J. Schneider, USA

Children at the Eastern Child Welfare Protection Institution joke with U.S. Marine Sgt. Hector Rivera. Photo by 2nd Lt. Antony J. Andrious, USMC