Last Rites?

[STEVE G]

My partner is from a part of Issan where they strongly believe in having a funeral party before the cremation and she always says that if I plan on dying in Thailand, to make sure I leave enough money to pay for a barbecued pig and a few cases of Chang as they don't like to see you not having a decent send off. Pity you can't have the party first if you have to fund it!

[Nereus]

My partner is from a part of Issan where they strongly believe in having a funeral party before the cremation and she always says that if I plan on dying in Thailand, to make sure I leave enough money to pay for a barbecued pig and a few cases of Chang as they don't like to see you not having a decent send off. Pity you can't have the party first if you have to fund it!

Yes, bit of a strange one that! I went to a funeral late last year in the North. The poor old lady had been battling for years to get enough to eat, her accommodation looked like it should have just been for the use of farm animals, and her clothing was always well past its use by date.
But, the amount of food and booze consumed before the cremation was unbelievable! They knocked down the wonky old fence in front of the "house" and erected a huge tent along with dozens of chairs. The poor old lady did not have a chair of her own while still alive!

On the last day of several days partying I could hear some really good jazz music, so went to see what they were using to play it. Turned out to be an 8 piece orchestra, with a sax player that should by rights of talent, be in a world class orchestra. Dread to think what it all cost, but I know my contribution was determined to be 1,000 Baht!