This is my culture

I have a great friend here, Om.  He works for the government or, as he says, I am a civil servant.  On Monday, he shifted to another government office.  Being Thailand, it is not just about packing up your things and going to a new office.  It is so much more.  

It is about being feted and farewelled, being taken by all your work mates personally to your new office where your are greeted by your new work mates.  Then everybody takes you out to lunch and so you begin work in your new station.

These pictures feature Om with his present work mates at a provincial government office.  Their main task for today at work is to farewell him and wish him well.  They are obviously doing a great job and loving it.

Thais are at their best when they are with each other, enjoying each other's company.  There is something so lovely and natural about this and it speaks of their good side which is so strong.