For as long as I have been in Bangkok I have lived at an apartment near Victory Monument. One of the things I have enjoyed most about the apartment is the restaurant downstairs. The food has always been great and cheap too. I have gotten to know the family in the restaurant. The father named Gun (or Bern in Thai) is very nice. He tells good jokes, and he is very good with his kid Pang. Gun let me and almost anybody play with him. The kid has a wonderful smile. I took a picture of him when he finally learned how to walk. There were several women that I met too, but I was never sure who was the mother. They acted very tenderly towards the baby. I practiced ordering my food in Thai. They learned a little bit of English from me. It was a great thing. I'm going to miss it.
Unfortunately, the story took a sad turn. The family was asked to leave. The management received complaints that the food was making residents sick. After looking at the kitchen, management decided it was not up to health code. The family moved out very quickly. I almost didn't get to say goodbye. I got Gun's cell phone number. He invited me to come visit him. They are now living in Isaan, northeastern Thailand. I told Gun, "Khap khun mak, krap. Chok dee, krap." (Thank you very much. Good luck!) Such is life. People come and go from Bangkok. Life is always changing, especially in the City of Angels.
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