851. Reference : MM-1-18-104

Tribal knowledge

| July 22, 1960. The village headman talked to sEng about the clash between the Meo [Hmong - translator] and the Lao government. Their leader forced all men to join the battle. If anyone did not comply, he would be sequestered and killed. July 23 , 1960. A tobacco seller from Chiang Kham district talked about the situation in M. qop. Yao, Meo and Khamu people were united against the Lao government, and many villagers in Laos had been raided by them. One of the key reasons they were rising up against the Lao government was due to the will and desire to found their own country. | Punch card

852. Reference : MM-1-18-105

‘Lamphaj’

| Early July 1960. Moerman noted that Lamphaj was a gift that parents gave to newly married couples and was it kept as capital to build their fortune. [Probably, the notes are an error in communication between Moerman and his assistance. Lamphaj, in fact, means extra income from part-time job - a translator.]. | Punch card

853. Reference : MM-1-18-106

Miscellaneous notes

| July 1960. The cost to be paid for rice milling was coconut shell. Sak din meant the dibble holes used for cultivation in the old days. | Punch card

854. Reference : MM-1-18-107

Chinese, Indian and Thai characteristics

| January 10, 1961. Spending habits of different nationalities: Chinese, Indian and Thai. For example, Thais would spend as much money as they gained. The Chinese liked to donate money to charity. However, Indians would keep all their money in the bank. | Punch card

855. Reference : MM-1-18-108

Indian, Chinese and Thai relations

| Thais did not like Indians because the Indian tended to stay within their own groups (fr example in their daily life, for marriage partners etc.). It was different to the Chinese who usually made alliances with the Thais through marriage. An American official working in the United States Information Services commented that Thais were considerate, and persons should not talk outspokenly or formally with Thai people, it would not be friendly. | Punch card

856. Reference : MM-1-18-109

Chinese – Thai relations

| January 1960. At Doi Suthep, some Chinese tourists did not take off their shoes at the temple. As a result, Thai people were distressed. December 7, 1960. Sicaj explained that in the past, Chinese people were able to trade more than Tai Lue. Today the Chinese people comfortable, and Tai Lue still worked hard. | Punch card

857. Reference : MM-1-18-110

The sincerity of the North

| December 28, 1959. John Murnaine, the consul, thought that people in the North were more sincere and straightforward than those in Bangkok. Especially in regards to the relationship between the northern people of Thailand and people of the Shan state in Myanmar, which remained on good terms. It was a different perspective than that of the Thais in central Thailand. They considered the people from Shan State not to be their kin. The people of Shan state also considered themselves ‘pure Thai,’ and not like the people from central Thailand, who were ‘half-breed.’ | Punch card

858. Reference : MM-1-18-111

Central Thai Teachers met a party of Meo [Hmong]

| January 1960. At Doi Suthep, teachers politely interviewed the Hmong people, and Moerman was surprised. Most questions were about livelihood. When they asked to take photos, Hmong people refused because they were afraid of sia na [loose face - translator]. | Punch card

859. Reference : MM-1-18-112

Christians and Farangs

| December 27 and 29, 1959. Thawee Yusphun told Moerman that Gerd Barcowski, and East German painting broker, was suspected as a spy and tracked by the police. He also got married to a prostitute, which resulted in people avoiding to associate with him. Thawee had converted to Christianity 4-5 years ago. Previously, he was a Buddhist, and knew the principles and practices well. He also wondered about monkhood, and whether they became monks because of faith or because they wanted to seek treasure to keep for themselves. | Punch card

860. Reference : MM-1-18-113

Sagatiem sub-district, Nakhon Pathom

| December 16, 1959. Moerman did fieldwork in the Sagatiem sub-district, Nakhon Pathom. There were about 50 households of Lao Song [ethnic group]. The chief district officer launched development projects in his own interest. The villagers still believed in mysticism and made offerings to the spirits. | Punch card