Thailand The Real Marigold on Tour


Thailand

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Transcript


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Dancing at this time in the morning. How's about that, Wayne?

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They're going to rule the world, I'm telling you.

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-Yes.

-They will.

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Where in the world would you choose to spend your golden years?

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How can you not want to see the world?

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We've got to go out, and see what's there, and meet people.

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No way was I going to go somewhere in Cuba with a man I didn't know.

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-You must be joking.

-Oh, I would.

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A group of famous pensioners are on a global quest.

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Travelling the world,

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exploring how different countries deal with growing old.

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THEY SCREAM

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I'd like to take something from everywhere we go.

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I think we're getting to the good bit.

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THEY LAUGH

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Having sampled the retirement secrets of China,

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Cuba and Iceland...

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I've gone mad!

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..this time, Paul Nicholas, Sheila Ferguson,

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and Dennis Taylor are being joined by well-known Marigold

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-face Rosemary Schrager.

-Hello!

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-I won't make you cry, you lot.

-Well, we do love each other.

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-I get on with everybody.

-I thought I could talk, but that woman can talk!

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And they're embarking on a completely new Eastern adventure...

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-Food!

-..in the retirement mecca of Thailand.

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-Oh, do we have to?

-HE LAUGHS

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Couldn't we just have a cup of tea?

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Thailand - a country of beauty and tradition.

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With a tropical climate and low cost of living,

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could it be the perfect place to grow old?

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-"Paul, Sheila, Rosemary..."

-Hello.

-Hi.

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-Sawatdee kah.

-Hello there.

-Sawatdee kah.

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-Nice to meet you.

-Thank you, so am I.

-Me, Rosemary.

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-My name is Pu.

-I'm Paul, how are you?

-Pu?

-Pu.

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-What's your name?

-P-U, Pu.

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-Oh, right.

-OK.

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The group have travelled 5,500 miles east to the largest city in northern

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Thailand, Chiang-Mai - the cultural heart of the country.

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-You speak English?

-I do.

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Is it quite hot today or is this normal?

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-It is quite normal.

-Local taxi drivers Ming and Pu

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are taking them five miles across town to their home stay.

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-My suitcase is very heavy.

-That's fine, I am strong man.

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-You want to come in as well?

-Yeah, I'll...

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You get in there and I'll get on the other side.

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Get that air conditioning on.

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Ming, we got the air conditioning, Ming, yeah?

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-Yeah.

-Oh, Ming, this is great.

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Rosemary, here we go, it's a delight to be with you, by the way.

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Oh, do you know what, it's wonderful.

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-We're both in our whites as well.

-HE LAUGHS

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Have you been to Thailand before? Is this your...?

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Do you know, I've never been to Thailand before, but I'm just so excited.

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Ming, I want to hear lots of things from you.

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I know there are a lot of people who retire to Thailand.

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If you are going to retire to a place like that,

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you need to have all sorts of things when you get older in place.

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-I want to know, Ming...

-Yeah?

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I don't know a word of Thai. Not one word.

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SHE ATTEMPTS TO SPEAK THAI MING RESPONDS IN THAI

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You're making Ming laugh, let him concentrate on his driving.

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How old are you, Pu?

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Guess.

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-55?

-You are so kind.

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I am now 58.

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-It was close. He's a baby.

-You're a baby to us.

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-Yes, indeed.

-We are very old.

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-We're old.

-You don't look old.

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How do the Thai people look after their old people?

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Do they...do they stay with the family or do they go into homes?

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Thai people, normally we have big family.

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The young and old people live together.

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-Good.

-I couldn't even imagine living with my children.

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-Well...

-I could see the joy in my son-in-laws' faces when I go out the

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door with my suitcases.

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Yeah, but you're not like every mother,

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are you? Let's be honest.

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Famous for its historic temples and shrines,

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Chiang-Mai is popular with elderly Thais and western retirees for its

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laid-back way of life.

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It doesn't seem on first impressions that

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-it's as hustly-bustly as India.

-This is more...

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Slightly more chilled, isn't it?

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-Yeah, yeah.

-They've all got masks on, I see.

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The group will be staying in the upmarket Wat Ket neighbourhood

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on the edge of the city centre.

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-This is gorgeous. Grand and green.

-It's very clean, which is lovely.

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And it's very flower-ful, decorate, decorative.

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I didn't think it would be this cosmopolitan.

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Home will be a 19th-century five-bedroomed house.

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Is this it?

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Wow.

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And they'll be staying with two elderly sisters,

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70-year-old Prani and 64-year-old Pranum.

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Prani's daughter, Wassa, lives next door.

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-ALL:

-Hello! Sawatdee kah!

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-Nice to see you.

-Thank you.

-Come in, please.

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Come on.

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-You have to take off your shoes.

-We take off the shoes?

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-Yes.

-No problem.

-Take off your shoes, son.

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Come into the kitchen, come to the living room.

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-Wow.

-Ooh, beautiful, isn't it?

-Great sized kitchen.

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-Fantastic.

-This is fabulous. This is great.

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How many, how many rooms do you have?

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-Bedrooms?

-Actually, we have five.

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-Five bedrooms?

-Have you...have you chosen which rooms we're in?

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-Ladies obviously have first choice.

-You guys have to choose.

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-We have to choose?

-Yes. Ladies choose.

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-Let's see the bedroom, shall we?

-I sense this might be ours.

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-You sense this might be mine.

-King bed.

-This is fabulous.

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-I love this!

-I do too.

-THEY LAUGH

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Well, that's the first one. Thank you.

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Shall we see the next one?

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If I find someplace better than England,

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-then I would move there in a nanosecond.

-Actually...

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I quite like this. Luggage on one. OK, I'm fine with this.

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Ah! Thought so. OK, it's a deal.

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I'll take that one, you get this one.

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-You can take them up to the double one.

-OK.

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I still have to get a whisk to check for snakes.

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Other than that, I think I'm all right.

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It's not a very good lookout, is it?

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It's not very... I need to test this now,

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just to see if it is wide enough.

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Otherwise I'm going to take her bed away from her.

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I'm going to... Hang on, it's...

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That's wide enough. Yeah, that's fine.

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I'm not going to fall off.

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Hello, ladies. What are you making there?

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-We prepare drink for you.

-How lovely, thank you.

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Yes, it's called colourful butterfly pea tea drink.

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-It's nice.

-Tea, did you say?

-Yes.

-Oh, it's a tea.

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-Yes.

-Oh, lovely. There we are, darling. They've prepared...

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-How are you getting on?

-..prepared us some nice Thai tea.

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-Thai tea.

-Iced tea. Yes.

-What an amazing colour.

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-Shall we sit down?

-That would be lovely.

-Please. Thank you.

-OK.

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So this is Thai herbs.

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So it's good. If you eat it, it's good for hair.

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-I could do with that.

-Oh!

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-You could do with a lot of that.

-The thing about...

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the thing about Thai herbs and all these things,

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it's the medicines, you use them with all...

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doing the medicine, that's right.

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And you've lived in this house all your life?

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-For 57?

-Since I was...

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-12.

-Since you were 12? OK.

-Yes.

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What is the significance of taking your shoes off when you come into a

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house, is that a religious thing or...?

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-Clean.

-What's the custom? Clean.

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It's the culture, you see.

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-To clean, and respect the people in the house.

-OK.

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-And to relax.

-It's a matter of respect.

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Yeah, respect. All our life we live here and we still love Chiang-Mai,

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because the weather, the people,

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and you will feel comfortable when you stay here.

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So you try? And before you drink...

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-Yeah...

-You put the lemon.

-Squeeze.

-Thank you.

-Squeeze the lemon.

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-The lime.

-Squeeze the lemon.

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It's the most amazing colour, very trendy.

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-You will find some magic will happen.

-Magic?

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-Oh, the colour changes, have you seen?

-Oh!

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That is so good, though.

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My hair's already growing.

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THEY LAUGH

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-You say in Thai words.

-OK. Pla... Hang on...

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-Hang on, my... It's so humid.

-Just try.

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This evening, the hosts are making dinner for the group,

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and Rosemary has volunteered to buy the ingredients.

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SHE ATTEMPTS TO SPEAK THAI

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LAUGHTER

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HOSTS CORRECT HER THAI

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-I hope I bring everything back that you want.

-Yes.

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-Thank you so...

-We're waiting for you.

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Yes, OK, thanks for that. Great confidence here.

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I'm going to be brilliant. Might not have been brilliant earlier,

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but I'm going to be brilliant now.

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OK, that's better. We've been in those clothes for two weeks,

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-it feels like.

-It's 4pm and the late summer heat

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means it's a steamy 35 degrees.

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# What will this day be like? #

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It's quite humid now, isn't it?

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-Quite sticky.

-Five minutes from the house,

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by the banks of the Ping River,

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is the city's oldest and busiest daily market.

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Wow, this could be a bit tricky.

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Thank you.

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-Just keep walking.

-Thank you.

-It's huge.

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-I've got my list.

-And I need a hat.

-OK, well, shall we synchronise

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watches and be back here at a certain time?

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-Shall we go, then?

-Yeah, shall we do it?

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-We're looking for snakehead fish.

-Well, this is fish, isn't it?

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-Oh, OK.

-You sell fish?

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Do you speak English? No.

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SHE SPEAKS THAI

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Keep going. I thought maybe they'd speak a bit more

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English, but that's slightly arrogant of me, I think.

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Oh, God, frog. Or toad.

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And they're alive.

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Seven.

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SHE SPEAKS THAI

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Whoa, no!

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-Is that eels?

-Far too much.

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No, no, no, it's fish.

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She's killing them. It's very observant of me.

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I don't like the way they're doing it.

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Do you not...? How else would you like them to be killed?

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Not in a packet like that.

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-Oh.

-He's a big bugger.

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How much money?

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SHE SPEAKS THAI

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-1,000.

-20 quid, I think, more like.

-Is it 20?

-Yeah.

-Is it 20?

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-Yeah.

-That's such a good price.

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Hang on, let me say thank you in Thai, I need to say that.

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Oh, yes, here we go. Kob khun.

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-BOTH:

-Kob khun.

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-Kob khun, thank you.

-Kob khun.

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Oh, did you want a baseball hat? Or a floppy hat?

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-Well, it depends.

-This place is huge, isn't it?

-It's huge.

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Lord have mercy. It'll do in a pinch.

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20, 40, 90.

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-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Perfect. Have a nice day.

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I'd like to buy a fridge.

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Here the humidity level is very, very high,

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so it's difficult to stop from perspiring.

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-All I need is a wet towel.

-THEY LAUGH

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The cost is cheap, but the quality is also cheap. We're spending, like,

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£4 and you can't even do that at Shepherd's Bush market.

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-I rather like walking around the back streets.

-Yes.

-Don't you?

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-Well, you get the flavour, don't you?

-Yeah.

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-Exactly.

-I want some cotton trousers.

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Yes, this sort of thing.

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-Oh, look, they're good.

-Do you like those?

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They're certainly different. Will you come and do a display for me?

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Thank you. Yes. Where do I go?

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I follow you? Thank you.

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It's a long time since I've watched a man try on some clothes.

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I think it's really quite nice.

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OK. I like being here watching.

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What am I going to say? I could say, "I love them" or,

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-"No, you look ridiculous in them!" Or...

-What do you think, Rosemary?

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What do you think?

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Do you love them?

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I actually love them. I think they're mad as blooming hatters.

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-What's that?

-SHE LAUGHS

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I'll try the other pair on and see if you like them better.

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-OK, that's hysterical.

-Thank you.

-I really like them.

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He's got the most fabulous figure and he's so fit and suave.

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He's very suave and he's got...

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He's sort of...

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Yes, he's actually still could be a bit of a heart-throb, you know.

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What do you think?

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-Oh, they're better, actually.

-They're better, aren't they?

-Yes.

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-All right, darling, I'll take these.

-Oh, brill, that is good.

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-Thank you.

-You look great.

-Thank you.

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You've got a boy's figure, it's so not fair.

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-399.

-399?

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-That's six, seven quid.

-How much?

-Seven quid.

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-Oh, yes, very good. OK. Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

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Bye.

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SHE SPEAKS THAI

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-OK.

-Have you got a big enough bowl?

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Let's have a look at this now.

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I love to see the experts at work.

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You've got your shoes on. Take them off now. Quick.

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This looks a delicious meal.

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Thank you. It's lanna. Lanna sauces.

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-Lanna means Northern.

-OK, Northern? Lanna is...?

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Yeah, northern Thai.

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-And you make it...

-Oh, that's good.

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-And we select the best one in Chiang Mai.

-Oh, really?

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-Yeah.

-It's really delicious.

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On the menu tonight is traditional spicy sausage,

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grilled snakehead fish and black rice.

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-Well, shall we thank our hosts?

-Thank you for your hospitality.

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-Thank you so much.

-Cheers.

-Thank you.

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-You don't eat a lot of bread in your diet, do you?

-No.

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-But that's good. Good. Very healthy.

-Does it have a name?

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-Pla. Pla is fish.

-OK.

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SHE LAUGHS

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What sort of fish is it? You know?

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This is the snake head.

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Oh, lovely.

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I'm a bit worried about food because my mother couldn't cook,

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and wasn't interested in food, and consequently,

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that doesn't mean to say that I'm not interested in food, but I'm not.

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I grew up eating eggs and bacon and, you know,

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if they really got exotic, we'd have a roast beef on Sunday.

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I can't eat spicy things, like curries.

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-I can't eat curries.

-He hasn't got the constitution.

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I don't have... HE has the constitution.

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He'll eat anything.

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Dennis has got a wonderful constitution.

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There are one or two chilli things in there.

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Too hot for you?

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-SHE LAUGHS

-No, it's delicious.

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It's nothing like India.

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It's totally on its own here. And it's different.

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The heat has been the biggest struggle today and we need to manage

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it, I think, is the word, because it is very, very hot.

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I can't believe I'm drinking beer.

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-You know what beer does, don't you?

-No. Oh, no.

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Just shut up.

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It's the group's first morning in Chiang Mai.

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-Oh, look!

-Wow.

-Fantastic.

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Fabulous. Those are the kind of pants I was looking for yesterday.

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They're very baggy and probably very good for the old t'ai chi.

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Perfect.

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It's quiet.

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-WHISPERING:

-We're being very quiet.

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Today their hosts have arranged for some neighbours to introduce

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the group to one of Thailand's most popular activities.

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T'ai chi.

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-Hello.

-Good morning.

-Good morning.

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-How are you?

-Sawatdee kah.

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-I'm Paul.

-Paul, yes.

-Rosemary.

-Rosemary.

0:16:160:16:20

SHE SPEAKS THAI

0:16:200:16:22

-This is Monica.

-Hello.

-She's from Switzerland.

-Hi.

0:16:220:16:26

Mona started because she had back problems,

0:16:260:16:29

-and her back problem is better.

-OK.

-The benefit, it's equal to the

0:16:290:16:34

-chiropractors, you know, for the heart.

-Really?

-Yes.

0:16:340:16:37

Because you sweat a lot. And you can lose, I lost my...

0:16:370:16:41

-Tummies.

-Yes.

-It looks to me like a slow karate kid class.

-Yeah.

0:16:410:16:47

We call it t'ai chi.

0:16:470:16:49

-It means a style martial art from China.

-OK.

0:16:490:16:53

HE SPEAKS THAI

0:16:530:16:55

Left and right, left and right.

0:16:550:16:57

You punch me.

0:16:570:16:59

-Like...

-Like this.

0:16:590:17:02

-OK. OK.

-But we're not doing it for that.

0:17:020:17:05

-We're not doing that.

-We're doing it for exercise.

0:17:050:17:07

We'll start with a warm-up first.

0:17:070:17:09

-Start with the warm up.

-More technique.

0:17:090:17:12

This hand grab...

0:17:120:17:14

grab something and twist, twist.

0:17:140:17:19

A t'ai chi session typically lasts for up to an hour,

0:17:190:17:21

and can involve up to 108 slow continuous movements.

0:17:210:17:26

It's quite sore on the knee.

0:17:270:17:29

The worst thing about getting old is the aches and pains.

0:17:290:17:31

You didn't have them when you were younger.

0:17:310:17:33

They are part of the ageing process.

0:17:330:17:36

So when you have to live with pain when you get older,

0:17:360:17:39

you're going to manage it,

0:17:390:17:40

because I'm not going to become a pill popper.

0:17:400:17:42

You know, I will take what is prescribed for me,

0:17:420:17:44

but you can get into that syndrome where you're living on pills,

0:17:440:17:48

and I don't want to go that way. I really don't.

0:17:480:17:51

-Ah.

-OK. Ah.

0:17:510:17:53

Got you. This is something I would actually get up to do.

0:17:530:17:56

My body feels very tingly, which means the circulation is moving.

0:17:560:18:00

I'm starting to sense why people want to come here.

0:18:000:18:03

It's incredibly quiet.

0:18:030:18:05

I'm getting...starting to feel the soul of Thailand and I'm loving it.

0:18:050:18:09

In Thailand, retirement can begin at 60.

0:18:170:18:20

As well as collecting a small state pension, retirees all over the

0:18:240:18:28

country can attend free schools once a week.

0:18:280:18:31

-This is fantastic.

-This is it.

0:18:310:18:33

In Chiang Mai, local pensioners head to class every Wednesday.

0:18:340:18:38

-Hello.

-How are you?

-Good morning.

0:18:380:18:40

I'm fine, thank you, and you?

0:18:400:18:41

-Fantastic, thank you.

-How are you?

-Yes, hello.

0:18:410:18:45

-Sawatdee kah.

-Sabai dee kah.

0:18:450:18:46

-Everybody has to wear a school uniform.

-Yes.

0:18:460:18:49

-We've been told we have to put on...

-Yes. Uniform.

-I haven't worn a...

0:18:490:18:52

-Uniform, yes, everyone.

-A school uniform.

0:18:520:18:54

We need a bigger, bigger uniform.

0:18:540:18:55

-THEY LAUGH

-It's too small.

0:18:550:18:58

-Too small, yes.

-I'm trying to conjure up some enthusiasm.

0:18:580:19:02

I really am trying hard.

0:19:020:19:04

Is that the bus?

0:19:040:19:06

The school is located a few miles away in the Doi Saket district.

0:19:060:19:11

-See you at recess.

-OK.

0:19:110:19:13

So students can hop on a free bus.

0:19:130:19:16

OK, we're in this one.

0:19:160:19:18

Oh!

0:19:200:19:22

Do you speak any English?

0:19:220:19:23

-No?

-No English? No.

-No, OK.

0:19:230:19:25

-Hello.

-Hello.

0:19:250:19:27

-OK.

-OK.

0:19:270:19:30

What was your best subject? Tell me, what was your best subject?

0:19:320:19:35

I think, probably, I got an A star in looking out the window.

0:19:350:19:38

I was very good at that.

0:19:380:19:40

-You were a dreamer?

-Yes, I was a dreamer.

0:19:400:19:42

I also liked looking at the girls.

0:19:420:19:44

-You liked the girls? Yes, yes.

-Yeah.

0:19:440:19:46

I was crap at school. I left school at 16.

0:19:460:19:49

I'm not a particularly educated guy, to be honest.

0:19:490:19:52

I suppose, in a way, it's a sadness.

0:19:520:19:54

You know, it kind of makes you feel a little bit inferior.

0:19:540:19:58

It's quite grand.

0:19:580:20:00

-It is very grand.

-And it looks part temple.

0:20:000:20:04

Set up five years ago, the school is part of a scheme to teach Thailand's

0:20:140:20:18

ageing population new skills.

0:20:180:20:20

THAILAND'S NATIONAL ANTHEM PLAYS

0:20:200:20:23

The day starts with the national anthem.

0:20:260:20:28

-I don't know the words.

-It's a good song.

-A very nice song.

0:20:560:20:58

It's a nice tune.

0:20:580:21:00

-Very orderly.

-Yeah.

0:21:010:21:03

THEY SPEAK THAI

0:21:030:21:05

You see, they're all quite slim though, aren't they?

0:21:050:21:08

-They're not...

-They're all slim, they're tiny.

0:21:080:21:10

After the national anthem,

0:21:130:21:15

students head to the main hall for the morning's activities.

0:21:150:21:18

-All right, Governor?

-Sit here?

0:21:180:21:21

-Where do we sit?

-Thai people, when they're meeting,

0:21:210:21:24

-say "Sawatdee krub."

-Ah, sawatdee krub.

0:21:240:21:28

How old is this lady?

0:21:280:21:30

-94.

-94.

-Oh, sawatdee kah.

0:21:300:21:34

-Thank you for inviting us.

-Thank you. Thank you.

0:21:400:21:42

HE SPEAKS THAI

0:21:420:21:44

THEY CLAP

0:21:440:21:46

DRUMMING

0:21:530:21:55

-What are they doing up there anyway?

-I have no idea.

0:22:060:22:08

Dennis, Dennis.

0:22:110:22:12

Every new student is introduced to the whole school.

0:22:160:22:19

Older people are definitely overlooked in the west.

0:22:240:22:26

If you look at any eastern philosophy or culture,

0:22:260:22:29

in the communities, the older you get, the more respected you get.

0:22:290:22:33

We in the west put our older people out to pasture.

0:22:330:22:36

We try to lock them up in an old folks' home.

0:22:360:22:38

-My name is Paul. Hello, everyone.

-Hello.

0:22:380:22:43

Sabai dee kah.

0:22:430:22:46

-Sabai dee kah.

-Sabai dee kah.

0:22:460:22:49

-You have to make your hands like this.

-Sabai dee kah.

0:22:490:22:51

What are we doing up here?

0:22:530:22:54

-What are we going to do?

-To do some activity.

0:22:540:22:58

Some dancing or singing.

0:22:580:23:00

-You have to do something?

-Yeah.

-You have to do something.

0:23:000:23:04

LAUGHTER

0:23:040:23:05

-Oh, laughing.

-Laughing.

-Today is laughing.

0:23:050:23:08

SHE LAUGHS

0:23:080:23:10

The Thais believe that laughing

0:23:120:23:14

helps to keep the mind and body healthy -

0:23:140:23:16

particularly for the elderly.

0:23:160:23:18

LAUGHTER

0:23:180:23:19

Everyone is so happy.

0:23:240:23:26

-TEACHER SPEAKS THAI

-Dennis.

0:23:260:23:29

HE LAUGHS

0:23:290:23:31

Rosemary.

0:23:380:23:41

What a laugh.

0:23:420:23:44

Everybody thinks when you get older,

0:23:440:23:46

you don't want to enjoy your life.

0:23:460:23:48

Of course you do. You want to go out. You want to have fun.

0:23:480:23:51

I will not grow up, because I have to be very adult.

0:23:530:23:57

But in life as a person, I'm very childish. I will never change.

0:23:570:24:01

And I think that's really important, because that keeps you young.

0:24:020:24:05

Very good!

0:24:050:24:07

HE SPEAKS THAI THEY LAUGH

0:24:070:24:11

It's a nice thing, because it gets everyone laughing and, you know,

0:24:110:24:14

it's better than one of Dennis' jokes for sure.

0:24:140:24:17

Slippy dippy.

0:24:170:24:19

The school has over 300 students, and to graduate,

0:24:190:24:22

a strict 70% attendance record is required.

0:24:220:24:26

-Are you OK?

-There are classes in health education, technology,

0:24:260:24:30

and hand crafts.

0:24:300:24:31

This is bamboo, bamboo, material from bamboo.

0:24:310:24:35

-I like that.

-It'll take me a while to do that.

0:24:350:24:39

Why do people do this?

0:24:390:24:40

Yeah.

0:24:510:24:52

It's great, cos I think the worst thing for people is to be on

0:24:570:25:00

their own, and if they don't have a chance to communicate with others,

0:25:000:25:04

it's the worst thing. I mean, loneliness is dreadful.

0:25:040:25:07

And a lot of people suffer from it.

0:25:070:25:09

The people in this country have great knees and great hips.

0:25:090:25:12

Great knees in this country, Everybody's on their knees.

0:25:120:25:16

I love it. Chair please.

0:25:160:25:18

THEY LAUGH

0:25:180:25:20

That's better. Better.

0:25:200:25:22

What is so wonderful is they take people from all the villages,

0:25:220:25:25

and they all come together.

0:25:250:25:26

It's an opportunity to get out and actually do something with yourself.

0:25:260:25:31

I'm not sure it's my... It's definitely not my sort of thing.

0:25:310:25:33

Absolutely, definitely, without question not my sort of thing.

0:25:330:25:36

But, actually, it's quite funny, because I can see the attraction.

0:25:360:25:40

-Bye-bye.

-Thank you!

-Bye!

0:25:410:25:43

-That could never happen in the UK.

-No, that's true.

0:25:430:25:45

They're all sitting in a wheelchair or dribbling from the side.

0:25:450:25:49

Hey, listen, we're not dribbling yet, are we? I mean, come on.

0:25:490:25:51

We will be...soon.

0:25:510:25:53

It gets dark here quite early.

0:26:040:26:06

Surprisingly so.

0:26:060:26:08

I mean, 7:30, it's getting dark.

0:26:080:26:11

I can't work out if this is their summer, their winter, their spring.

0:26:120:26:16

# I'm so pretty You're so pretty

0:26:160:26:18

# I'm so pretty and witty and gay. #

0:26:180:26:21

Tonight, the group have decided to dine out.

0:26:210:26:24

# I feel charming You're so charming. #

0:26:240:26:27

-Are we going to the same restaurant?

-I hope not.

0:26:280:26:31

THEY LAUGH

0:26:310:26:33

They're headed ten minutes downtown to one of the city's many

0:26:330:26:37

cook-it-yourself barbecue restaurants.

0:26:370:26:40

-Sawatdee kah. How are you?

-Hello.

0:26:400:26:42

Would you be able to do a table for four people?

0:26:420:26:45

-For four? Yeah.

-Please.

-This way please.

-Thank you.

0:26:450:26:47

A favourite with locals,

0:26:470:26:49

a family of four can eat here all evening for under £20.

0:26:490:26:53

It's frozen.

0:26:530:26:55

-I won't have that.

-It's frozen.

0:26:550:26:57

No, I'll pass on that.

0:26:570:26:59

-That's mushroom?

-No. Yeah, this is...

-That's not mushrooms.

0:26:590:27:03

No, no, sorry, this is bacon.

0:27:030:27:05

Yeah, but it says mushrooms. OK.

0:27:050:27:07

This had better be good, of course it's up to me,

0:27:070:27:10

because I'm cooking it.

0:27:100:27:11

Oh, I can't wait for this.

0:27:130:27:15

Is this all right for you, Paul?

0:27:150:27:17

Yes.

0:27:170:27:19

What's the giggle for?

0:27:200:27:21

I'm not a great foodie person.

0:27:210:27:24

I don't sort of go, "I must run out and have a Thai curry."

0:27:240:27:28

-You know, and you, of course, love food.

-Right.

0:27:290:27:31

And so do you, Rosemary. And I think probably you do.

0:27:310:27:34

But I don't really have that much interest in food.

0:27:340:27:37

-I just eat to survive.

-To survive.

-Yeah.

0:27:370:27:41

Do you ever spend hours over a meal and talk?

0:27:410:27:44

-No.

-Oh, really?

-We do.

0:27:440:27:46

You see, I think eating out is one of the finest things you can do.

0:27:460:27:50

-So do I. I agree.

-I think

0:27:500:27:51

there's something missing from my make up,

0:27:510:27:55

that I don't particularly enjoy sitting there.

0:27:550:27:57

If someone asked me to lunch, I think,

0:27:570:28:00

"Oh, my God, I'm going to be sitting there for two hours talking to

0:28:000:28:03

-"these people and eating."

-Aw!

-And the thought of that...

-Dread.

0:28:030:28:07

Not dread, but I don't like to be tied into a situation,

0:28:070:28:11

-and having a meal can get you locked in.

-Are you quite anti-social?

0:28:110:28:16

I wouldn't say anti-social. I would say erm...

0:28:160:28:18

..probably anti-social.

0:28:190:28:21

THEY LAUGH

0:28:210:28:23

I wish I could be better at being a more rounded person in the sense of

0:28:230:28:29

having more friends, being more sociable, being more normal in my

0:28:290:28:33

behaviour and doing most things that most people do.

0:28:330:28:37

You're just a quiet, shy type person.

0:28:370:28:40

A lot of actors hide behind the characters they play,

0:28:400:28:43

so they don't have to show themselves to the public.

0:28:430:28:46

I think it's a shyness or an insecurity,

0:28:460:28:48

and it annoys me that I'm not...

0:28:480:28:51

that open to that kind of life.

0:28:510:28:54

Well, I'm so pleased that we spent five minutes on me.

0:28:540:28:57

I'm more sort of probably verbal diarrhoea.

0:28:590:29:01

You're quieter. So, when you talk, people listen to you.

0:29:010:29:04

When I talk, nobody listens to me!

0:29:040:29:05

THEY LAUGH

0:29:050:29:07

A lot of that, when you're talking a long time, is nerves.

0:29:070:29:10

-I wouldn't say that. I just talk.

-I would.

0:29:100:29:13

I just talk.

0:29:130:29:14

-ON VIDEO:

-One, opening of t'ai chi.

0:29:320:29:35

It's 7:30am.

0:29:350:29:37

-Keep your hands up, pushing out...

-Ah!

0:29:370:29:39

T'ai chi has already become a part of my routine,

0:29:390:29:42

I've decided yesterday. It feels natural to me,

0:29:420:29:45

because I've been doing this kind of thing all my life,

0:29:450:29:48

without realising it, so it's a matter of slowing down.

0:29:480:29:51

Thailand is famous for alternative medicine.

0:29:550:29:57

-Morning.

-So the boys have booked in for an MOT.

0:29:570:30:01

Have you got anything that you're going to ask them,

0:30:010:30:04

-or are you just going to...?

-Do they do the elixir of long life,

0:30:040:30:06

do you think?

0:30:060:30:08

My cholesterol levels are normal now, but I'd like to keep them low.

0:30:080:30:12

It'll be interesting to see what they're saying.

0:30:120:30:14

Do you want to tell us about the limp?

0:30:140:30:16

-I love meditation.

-Well, I've never meditated.

0:30:180:30:21

-Oh, I've tried.

-Can you calm down to the...?

0:30:210:30:23

-Oh, absolutely.

-Oh, I can't. It would be good, though if I could.

0:30:230:30:26

-Yeah, but I can't do it.

-OK.

0:30:260:30:28

Rosemary has previously tried meditation in India,

0:30:280:30:31

and is keen to build on what she's learned so far.

0:30:310:30:33

It stops you thinking about everything else in your life.

0:30:330:30:36

I have never been successful at winding down,

0:30:360:30:39

and that's something that I need to do.

0:30:390:30:42

Sheila is accompanying her to a Buddhist meditation retreat in the

0:30:430:30:47

-west of the city.

-Isn't this beautiful?

0:30:470:30:50

-OK, let's do it.

-Yeah.

0:30:500:30:53

Ah, "Foreign Meditation Office," that would be us!

0:30:530:30:55

-Foreign Meditation Office!

-Shoes off.

0:30:550:30:57

-Avec Vous.

-OK.

0:30:570:30:59

Come in.

0:30:590:31:01

Morning.

0:31:010:31:03

-Welcome.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

0:31:030:31:05

My name is Kunsi Li.

0:31:050:31:07

-Kunsi Li.

-Yes.

0:31:070:31:08

And this is my boss...

0:31:080:31:10

-Pat Dhanyel.

-Pat Dhanyel.

0:31:100:31:13

As of now, because you are here,

0:31:130:31:14

you need to fill in the application form first.

0:31:140:31:17

-OK.

-We need to keep the... Take the phone away from you.

0:31:170:31:21

-The phone?

-Uh-huh.

0:31:210:31:22

-No talking.

-No... No telephone?

0:31:220:31:24

-Silence.

-Oh, I see.

0:31:240:31:26

-Ah!

-That will be interesting thing for us, won't it?

0:31:260:31:28

-Ah, silence!

-So, no phone.

0:31:280:31:30

So, when you're here with us, no talking.

0:31:300:31:32

-OK, no phones...

-No phones, be quiet, be with yourself.

0:31:320:31:35

I will take you to the room to dress you up,

0:31:350:31:38

and then take you to the teacher,

0:31:380:31:40

and he will teach you how to do meditation.

0:31:400:31:43

-This is for you.

-Big. I'm a big lady.

-Ah-huh.

0:31:430:31:47

Well, don't we look sexless!

0:31:480:31:49

-Look at it!

-Well, you are a voluptuous woman.

0:31:490:31:52

That's your laundry down there.

0:31:550:31:56

Is that lucky? Did you see that black cat?

0:31:560:31:58

-Black cat, yeah.

-Is that unlucky?

0:31:580:31:59

It's unlucky, isn't it?

0:31:590:32:01

-Sawatdee kah.

-Sawatdee kah. How are you?

0:32:010:32:04

Mr Taylor and Mr Nicholas.

0:32:040:32:07

Mr Taylor, can you please...?

0:32:070:32:09

-Yes, I...

-..fill in this form?

-No problem.

0:32:090:32:12

In Thailand, traditional therapies

0:32:120:32:14

are often more popular than Western medicine.

0:32:140:32:17

Shoulder and scapula is not good, too.

0:32:170:32:21

And your back - really hard, really tight.

0:32:210:32:24

Centuries old, Thai medicine uses a combination of herbal remedies,

0:32:240:32:29

massage and spiritual healing.

0:32:290:32:31

When you have the big belly, and then you have the lower back pain...

0:32:310:32:36

We have after the massage, we keep the medicine deep-cleaning detox,

0:32:370:32:43

for you take care of yourself home.

0:32:430:32:45

-Right, so the medicine also for cholesterol, yeah?

-Yeah.

0:32:450:32:50

-Here he is.

-Right, ready to go.

0:32:500:32:52

-You feeling OK?

-Yes.

0:32:540:32:55

And you have...

0:32:560:32:58

accident before?

0:32:580:33:01

Yeah, I fell off and did my spine in, off a horse.

0:33:010:33:05

-Oh, the horse.

-Yeah, I fell off a horse.

0:33:050:33:08

And the only other thing I have a problem with is,

0:33:080:33:10

I have a little bit of acidic reflex, you know,

0:33:100:33:13

-when there's a little bit too much acid.

-OK.

-Other than that,

0:33:130:33:17

-I'm half dead!

-HE LAUGHS

0:33:170:33:20

The worst thing about growing old is...

0:33:200:33:24

Er, hang on, let me just think for a minute.

0:33:240:33:26

I suppose the worst thing about growing old

0:33:260:33:29

is not being able to do what you did when you were young -

0:33:290:33:32

erm, without being arrested.

0:33:320:33:34

-OK?

-Yes.

0:33:340:33:36

What are you going to do with that?!

0:33:360:33:38

But other than that, not really a lot has changed.

0:33:380:33:42

I've still got a little bit of a twinkle - whatever that means!

0:33:420:33:47

I think we're getting to the good bit!

0:33:490:33:51

HE LAUGHS

0:33:510:33:54

Oh!

0:33:540:33:56

It's got to be good!

0:33:560:33:58

Everything else is terrific, you know.

0:33:580:33:59

Dennis has been prescribed a vigorous massage

0:34:000:34:03

and vibration therapy - an ancient remedy for muscle tension.

0:34:030:34:07

Paul, never had this one before, the old hammer and chisel!

0:34:110:34:14

Good morning.

0:34:170:34:18

Good morning. What is your name?

0:34:180:34:21

My name is Chung Yim.

0:34:210:34:23

Everybody call me Bhikkhuni.

0:34:230:34:25

-Bhikkhuni.

-Yes.

-Bhikkhuni.

-Yes.

-What does that mean?

0:34:250:34:28

Bhikkhuni means "female monk".

0:34:280:34:31

-Female monk.

-Oh, there ARE female monks!

-Yes.

-We'll follow you.

-Yes.

0:34:310:34:34

-Please.

-I love your outfit.

0:34:340:34:37

Loved that. That was fabulous.

0:34:370:34:38

-Look at her, she's so slim.

-We could change our whole wardrobe.

0:34:380:34:42

Look how serene she is, she's like...like from another world.

0:34:420:34:45

Everyone who comes to the retreat

0:34:470:34:49

is given an induction into the basics of Buddhist meditation.

0:34:490:34:52

Please have a seat.

0:34:520:34:54

-Thank you.

-Oh, terrific.

0:34:540:34:57

You face.

0:34:590:35:00

Lifting, lifting, lifting.

0:35:020:35:07

Bending, bending, bending.

0:35:070:35:12

Buddhist meditation uses four main positions...

0:35:120:35:15

Now, we walking meditation.

0:35:150:35:17

..standing, walking, lying and sitting.

0:35:170:35:20

Intention to walk. Intention to walk. Intention to walk.

0:35:200:35:26

I like the spiritual side of life.

0:35:260:35:28

Meditation, I do do it occasionally, but what I do is,

0:35:280:35:31

I do tend to go to sleep, and it's a bit of a problem.

0:35:310:35:34

-Turning...

-Oh, it's north, south, east, west.

0:35:340:35:37

And I was kicked out of a class once because I was snoring too much,

0:35:370:35:40

because I was putting everybody off.

0:35:400:35:42

Sitting meditation.

0:35:440:35:45

I don't think he's happy with our...

0:35:470:35:48

I don't think he's happy with our feet.

0:35:480:35:50

Ah, yes, in Thai culture you cannot put feet in the Buddha...

0:35:500:35:54

You cannot put feet TOWARDS the Buddha.

0:35:540:35:55

Yeah, to the Buddha.

0:35:550:35:57

-OK. This is not...

-OK, let's see what we can do.

0:35:570:35:59

-Try, yes.

-I can't sit on my knees, I'm sorry.

0:36:010:36:04

What do people with bad knees do when they want to meditate?

0:36:040:36:08

-They can't meditate?

-You can sit on your chair.

0:36:080:36:11

Oh, thank you, OK.

0:36:110:36:12

I was just wondering

0:36:120:36:13

if they couldn't be religious like everybody else.

0:36:130:36:17

-Yes, sit on your chair.

-Thank you.

0:36:170:36:18

Do you have a chair?

0:36:200:36:21

-I'd love a chair.

-I do want to go home not a cripple.

0:36:230:36:26

-Thank you.

-Oh, that's better!

0:36:300:36:32

Thank you.

0:36:320:36:34

Standing.

0:36:340:36:36

-I will show you another place outside.

-Yes.

0:36:410:36:44

Did you see the look he was giving me?

0:36:460:36:48

He wasn't at all, he was concentrating on what he was doing.

0:36:490:36:52

They're here to teach us, that's what they're doing.

0:36:520:36:54

But they ain't teaching.

0:36:540:36:55

It's relaxing! Stop thinking about yourself so much.

0:36:550:36:58

-That's true.

-And stop thinking, and relax,

0:36:580:36:59

and take it all away from your head. You're thinking from your head.

0:36:590:37:02

Well, how...? Where else are you going to think from?

0:37:020:37:04

Think from here, think about relaxing.

0:37:040:37:06

-OK!

-Think from your...

0:37:060:37:07

-Yes.

-Am I...? Yes. It's true.

0:37:070:37:11

OK, let's all relax!

0:37:110:37:12

-You can do it.

-It's relaxing time.

0:37:120:37:14

-Come on.

-Yes, it's... Come on, don't think from your head so much.

0:37:140:37:17

-OK.

-OK? Seriously. Sheila was fighting it -

0:37:170:37:20

she's just thinking into it too much about the other people,

0:37:200:37:22

what she's doing right, whether she's doing it wrong...

0:37:220:37:24

Doesn't matter whether you're doing wrong - you're here to learn.

0:37:240:37:28

HE CHANTS IN THAI AND THEY REPEAT

0:37:280:37:31

When I'm out of my comfort zone, I can go off.

0:37:400:37:43

I certainly do not live in the moment.

0:37:440:37:47

I find that very difficult,

0:37:470:37:49

because I'm always thinking about the next move, the next thing.

0:37:490:37:52

I don't live in the present, ever.

0:37:520:37:54

I now have blessing for you. Have a long life.

0:37:540:37:58

I can't enjoy the now because of the future.

0:37:580:38:01

And what I am trying to do is enjoy the now,

0:38:010:38:04

because I've got so much now time.

0:38:040:38:07

-OK, you ready?

-Yeah.

0:38:090:38:11

Ah, yes.

0:38:130:38:14

Just what I needed!

0:38:140:38:16

Good for your stomach.

0:38:180:38:21

Somebody told me you had fire in your belly, Paul!

0:38:210:38:23

-Yeah...

-It's herbal, it's come deep for your stomach.

0:38:230:38:27

-Yeah, it's getting a bit hot now, darling.

-OK. Feel hot?

0:38:270:38:30

-Is it?

-It's beginning to burn me.

0:38:300:38:32

OK.

0:38:320:38:34

Known locally as the hotpot, traditional Thai medicine

0:38:340:38:37

believes the burning herbs cure stomach and back pain.

0:38:370:38:41

I can't see a thing.

0:38:410:38:42

You're on fire, basically.

0:38:420:38:44

I'm quite a hairy chap.

0:38:440:38:46

Luckily, they're ginger.

0:38:460:38:48

-But I could go up in flames here.

-Yeah.

0:38:480:38:51

Woody Woodpecker's back.

0:38:510:38:53

I'm just beginning to get to know you now.

0:38:560:38:58

-Yeah, bless you.

-Can I tell you why?

-Why?

-You put a huge barrier up.

0:38:580:39:02

-Oh, I know.

-When I first saw you, and I first met you...

-Yeah.

0:39:020:39:06

-Erm...

-I don't let people in, I really don't.

0:39:060:39:08

You don't let people in at all.

0:39:080:39:10

-Nope.

-But I could feel that.

0:39:100:39:11

-Mmm.

-And what I've tried to do with you, let me tell you...

0:39:110:39:15

-Oh, bless!

-I've tried to relax you.

0:39:150:39:18

-Have you?

-Yeah. To feel...

0:39:180:39:20

-So you could feel...trust me.

-Well, it worked. It worked.

0:39:200:39:23

-Yeah, and that's what I've tried to do with you.

-I feel used now!

0:39:230:39:27

No, you're not used.

0:39:270:39:28

How can I get to know you if you don't become the real you?

0:39:280:39:31

You're negative, on a...

0:39:310:39:32

-On...

-I'm sceptical.

0:39:320:39:34

No. You sort of sometimes look on the bad side.

0:39:340:39:36

-Yeah, I do. I do.

-I want you today, for the rest of the day...

0:39:360:39:39

-OK.

-..to only look on the bright side.

0:39:390:39:41

Oh, God, that's a task, isn't it?!

0:39:410:39:43

OK. How could a monk look at you in a certain way?

0:39:430:39:46

-I know.

-He's not going to be interested in you...

0:39:460:39:48

Well, exactly, they don't even...

0:39:480:39:50

-He doesn't even know you!

-They don't get married!

0:39:500:39:52

You're judging before it happens.

0:39:520:39:54

-Yeah.

-You are too quick a judge.

0:39:540:39:55

-I am.

-So, stop being so judgmental...

0:39:550:39:58

-I am. OK.

-And what you need to do is just be more open.

0:39:580:40:01

-Yeah.

-And I think that will... That will help you a lot more.

0:40:010:40:04

OK, I'll give it a shot.

0:40:040:40:06

-I'll give it a shot.

-Seriously, just see what happens.

0:40:060:40:08

-OK, because I...

-Because I noticed that.

0:40:080:40:10

OK, that's good, thank you for telling me that.

0:40:100:40:13

It's OK. I wish you'd say something bad about me.

0:40:130:40:16

No... Well, I was going to, but it's not a bad thing.

0:40:160:40:18

You were complaining about your trousers.

0:40:180:40:20

Because of that, you felt insecure and self-conscious.

0:40:200:40:24

-Yes.

-But you are incredibly sexy.

0:40:240:40:26

There's something... Let me finish.

0:40:260:40:28

There's something... No, listen to me, take it in!

0:40:280:40:30

-I'm not sexy.

-Yes...

-I'm the least sexy person in the world!

0:40:300:40:33

Don't worry about it - you glow, you have a glow.

0:40:330:40:37

-This has been amazing.

-Yeah.

0:40:370:40:39

Oh, I know!

0:40:390:40:40

-I know! I didn't expect this, I really didn't expect this!

-No.

0:40:400:40:44

It was very painful.

0:40:520:40:53

-Oh, was it?

-Well, can you imagine a metal claw on your back?

0:40:530:40:56

-Oh, I'd love it.

-Would you?

-Oh, I'd love it!

0:40:560:41:00

She then put this kind of towel round me, and then lit the herbs.

0:41:000:41:06

-Sorry?!

-So, I had a flame coming from my stomach!

0:41:060:41:09

-I had looked over...

-I'm like the devil, with a flame here!

0:41:090:41:14

You guys are joking, aren't you?

0:41:140:41:17

This is hysterical!

0:41:170:41:19

I have to say, it was very funny when I looked over at Dennis,

0:41:190:41:22

there was this guy, seriously, with a chisel and a hammer,

0:41:220:41:26

hammering his back!

0:41:260:41:28

I thought he was going to come out this chiselled Adonis!

0:41:280:41:31

I've actually quite enjoyed this country, from what I've seen.

0:41:310:41:35

Yeah - me, too.

0:41:350:41:36

But there's a kind of nice easiness about it, isn't there?

0:41:360:41:39

Rents in Chiang Mai are cheap,

0:41:520:41:54

but Westerners hoping to buy

0:41:540:41:56

are limited to one of the modern high-rise apartments.

0:41:560:41:59

I like to look at property wherever I go anyway,

0:41:590:42:01

just to see what you can get.

0:42:010:42:02

Yeah. This looks... This is quite a nice-looking building.

0:42:020:42:05

It's... Isn't it lovely?

0:42:050:42:06

Thank you.

0:42:060:42:07

-Thank you.

-Sawatdee kah.

0:42:070:42:09

Thank you.

0:42:090:42:11

-Oh, this is very nice.

-Oh, I like that.

0:42:110:42:14

Prices in this block start from £100,000.

0:42:140:42:17

Do you have something that's unoccupied, that we could look at?

0:42:170:42:20

Yes, we have a room.

0:42:200:42:21

But Sheila's keen to see the finest that money can buy.

0:42:210:42:25

-Shoes off, please.

-Shoes off, thank you.

0:42:250:42:27

This is beautiful.

0:42:270:42:29

Before we go around, how much?

0:42:310:42:32

£570,000.

0:42:320:42:36

-Oh, that's very cheap.

-£570,000.

0:42:360:42:39

-Yes.

-£570,000.

-You get a lot for that here.

0:42:390:42:41

-Unfurnished?

-Fully furnished.

0:42:410:42:43

-Fully furnished?

-Fully furnished?

-Yes.

0:42:430:42:45

So, you could buy one with all furniture like this?

0:42:450:42:47

-Yes.

-How many bedrooms?

-570...

-Two bedrooms.

0:42:470:42:50

-So, two-bed...

-Three bathrooms.

0:42:500:42:53

Is this the most expensive one, this?

0:42:530:42:55

-Yes.

-Is it a lot of money for a Thai person, this place?

0:42:550:42:59

-Yes - you must be very, very rich.

-You must be very wealthy.

0:42:590:43:02

You wouldn't get this in...

0:43:020:43:03

This would be £2 million or £3 million, if not more, in London.

0:43:030:43:08

Another big attraction for Westerners in Chiang Mai

0:43:140:43:17

-is the booming dental business.

-Hello!

0:43:170:43:19

Sawatdee kah.

0:43:190:43:21

Well, I've come. My name is Rosemary Schrager,

0:43:210:43:24

I've got an appointment to have some teeth whitening.

0:43:240:43:27

-Shall I sit over here?

-Yes, please.

0:43:270:43:30

Costs are a fraction of the price of private dental work in the UK.

0:43:300:43:35

I must have spent, so far, £500-600 on my teeth,

0:43:350:43:39

and it hasn't changed a single thing.

0:43:390:43:42

That I can't do.

0:43:420:43:44

That I can't do... I've had guards made, gels put in.

0:43:440:43:47

I've actually tried quite a lot and spent quite a lot.

0:43:470:43:50

Now, here, I believe they do it really quite well,

0:43:500:43:53

so I'm giving it one final go.

0:43:530:43:56

Let's see if it works.

0:43:560:43:58

But the problem is, actually, you don't see my teeth when I smile.

0:43:580:44:02

-Hello!

-Oh, hello.

0:44:040:44:05

Sawatdee kah.

0:44:050:44:07

-Hello.

-Please come in.

-Are you ready for me?

-Yes.

0:44:070:44:10

Thank you so much.

0:44:100:44:11

This way, please.

0:44:110:44:13

Haven't broken the chair already?

0:44:130:44:15

-Sorry!

-I've broken...!

0:44:150:44:17

-I've broken the chair already!

-THEY LAUGH

0:44:170:44:19

I've only been here for two minutes!

0:44:190:44:21

-OK!

-Oh, there we go!

-OK, sorry.

0:44:210:44:23

It's all right, don't worry.

0:44:230:44:25

Open your mouth, please.

0:44:270:44:29

-MUFFLED:

-Oh, thank you. I can't speak.

0:44:300:44:33

With some procedures almost a quarter of the price of the UK,

0:44:330:44:38

£180 will get you two hours of teeth cleaning and UV whitening.

0:44:380:44:43

-You can ask me to stop.

-Mm-hmm.

-OK, but...

0:44:430:44:46

-If you can continue...

-Mm-hmm.

0:44:460:44:49

..it's better, because if you stop, the colour will stop, too.

0:44:490:44:52

-Mm-hmm.

-Is that OK?

-Mm-hmm.

-If it's too much, tell me.

-Mm-hmm.

0:44:520:44:56

-Look at this.

-And here's the highest swimming pool in Chiang Mai.

-Wow!

0:45:000:45:05

How fabulous!

0:45:050:45:07

It's not very large for this building, is it?

0:45:070:45:10

No, but it's large enough, though, for a little dip.

0:45:100:45:12

To buy in Thailand, I could easily see the appeal,

0:45:120:45:15

but it's too gaudy for me,

0:45:150:45:17

it's too Liberace for my taste!

0:45:170:45:20

I think you would maybe get this for 500, you could get at least...

0:45:200:45:23

-It's still a lot.

-It's still a lot.

0:45:230:45:25

Because I find it small.

0:45:250:45:27

SNORING

0:45:300:45:32

The whitening treatment takes two long hours to complete.

0:45:360:45:40

-SHE MURMURS

-Oh, dear...

0:45:520:45:54

-Are you all right?

-Yeah.

0:45:570:45:59

So, this is before.

0:46:020:46:04

So, after, it's maybe about this colour, for the front teeth....?

0:46:040:46:09

Oh, that's...

0:46:090:46:11

That's perfect!

0:46:110:46:13

Thank you so much! Thank you very much indeed.

0:46:130:46:16

Wow! I fell asleep, you know.

0:46:160:46:18

Did I snore badly?

0:46:180:46:20

Did I snore?

0:46:200:46:21

-Did I?

-Yeah!

0:46:210:46:23

Was it...?

0:46:230:46:24

-Was it loud?

-Er...

0:46:240:46:27

Was it...? I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, I can't help it.

0:46:270:46:31

I just fall asleep everywhere.

0:46:310:46:33

Thank you so much.

0:46:330:46:35

Ah! My teeth, they feel lovely, actually. Mmm, they feel great!

0:46:350:46:39

Four, five, six, seven, eight, nine...

0:46:430:46:45

Thousand. So, that's 50 quid.

0:46:450:46:47

A thousand is... A thousand is...

0:46:470:46:49

-30 quid.

-..is, er, £20.

-I'm loaded!

0:46:490:46:52

It's nearing the end of the group's day in Chiang Mai,

0:46:520:46:56

so they're gearing up for a night out.

0:46:560:46:58

-OK, guys, let's go. Let's go.

-Are we off?

-Tuk tuks!

0:46:580:47:01

Ten minutes downtown

0:47:010:47:03

is one of the city's most colourful nightspots.

0:47:030:47:06

The night bazaar?

0:47:070:47:09

And away!

0:47:090:47:10

The thing is, these are always made for short people.

0:47:100:47:14

Very noisy!

0:47:140:47:16

Originally set up by Chinese merchants...

0:47:180:47:22

Look at Sheila, it's not easy to get out of here!

0:47:220:47:25

..Chiang Mai's residents descend on the nightly market

0:47:250:47:27

for food and entertainment.

0:47:270:47:29

Let's have a mango ice cream.

0:47:290:47:31

Fabulous. I thought you might want mango.

0:47:310:47:33

-Paul, you don't want an ice cream, do you?

-No, I don't, no.

0:47:330:47:35

Just a small one for me.

0:47:350:47:37

-It's a large one for me!

-LAUGHTER

0:47:370:47:39

ALL GREET EACH OTHER

0:47:410:47:43

Hi, ladies.

0:47:430:47:44

Do you have a show nearby, a club nearby?

0:47:440:47:47

-Yes.

-Where is that?

-Over there.

-What time?

-9.30.

0:47:470:47:51

-Ah, 9.30.

-Yeah.

-9.30?

-Expensive to get in, is it expensive?

0:47:510:47:54

-No.

-Free to get in?

0:47:540:47:56

No! 290 baht, for you, sir.

0:47:560:48:00

-Oh, great.

-Yes.

-290 for one person. And are you all in the show?

0:48:000:48:03

-Yes.

-You all look fabulous. Fabulous.

0:48:030:48:06

-We enjoy together.

-Thank you.

0:48:060:48:09

It's an amazing market.

0:48:120:48:14

It's a bit... Oh! Oh!

0:48:140:48:17

-How much?

-100 baht.

0:48:170:48:18

For 15 minutes? Oh, yum!

0:48:180:48:20

-Go on!

-Yeah!

0:48:200:48:22

THEY BOTH YELP

0:48:220:48:23

To mark the end of their time in the city,

0:48:260:48:29

the group have decided to take in a show.

0:48:290:48:32

It's three to get in, isn't it?

0:48:320:48:34

-How are you?

-290?

0:48:340:48:35

-Sawatdee kah!

-290.

0:48:350:48:37

You look very smart - very smart.

0:48:370:48:39

Welcome to Chiang Mai Cabaret!

0:48:420:48:43

-Thank you very much, thank you.

-Follow me, follow me.

0:48:430:48:47

-Follow you!

-Thank you, darling.

0:48:470:48:49

Known by many as the third gender,

0:48:490:48:52

some of Thailand's lady boys

0:48:520:48:53

are amongst the country's most popular entertainers.

0:48:530:48:57

-TANNOY:

-Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:48:570:49:00

# I'm gonna live forever

0:49:030:49:07

# I'm gonna learn how to fly

0:49:070:49:10

# I'm gonna make it together

0:49:100:49:13

# Baby, remember... #

0:49:130:49:15

It's always interesting to see what people enjoy to look at,

0:49:150:49:17

in terms of their entertainment.

0:49:170:49:20

I have an interest in musicals, plays, songs -

0:49:200:49:24

and I love to perform.

0:49:240:49:26

I don't really have any other interests,

0:49:260:49:28

because most of my life has been through musicals.

0:49:280:49:32

SONG ENDS

0:49:320:49:35

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:49:350:49:38

I would like to ask four guys

0:49:380:49:44

-to come and join enjoy together with me, please.

-Go on!

0:49:440:49:47

-Gentlemen, can we have four guys?

-Come on. Come, on, Paul.

0:49:470:49:52

I would say I was more introvert than extrovert.

0:49:590:50:02

And the only time I'm really an extrovert is when I'm performing.

0:50:020:50:06

And that's my release.

0:50:060:50:08

-Bloody good sports.

-All right! Thank you so much, guys!

0:50:170:50:22

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:50:220:50:25

I love the music, I love the dancing, and I love the girls.

0:50:250:50:29

And to take part in the show was a special moment for me, actually,

0:50:290:50:35

to take part in that.

0:50:350:50:36

I'm getting a bit emotional.

0:50:360:50:39

I absolutely adored it.

0:50:390:50:41

I guess I'm getting emotional because I'm an older guy now

0:50:440:50:48

and it kind of takes you back.

0:50:480:50:49

It takes you through all your memories.

0:50:490:50:53

All the shows you've done...

0:50:530:50:54

..and all the people you work with.

0:50:570:50:59

Kind of brings it all back, really.

0:51:020:51:05

I don't know why I'm like this, it's ridiculous.

0:51:050:51:07

-Rosemary.

-Hello.

-This is Nat. Do you want to sit down, darling?

0:51:070:51:11

Rosemary is a very famous chef in the UK.

0:51:110:51:15

-Oh.

-And Sheila is very famous.

0:51:150:51:18

You know the song, When Will I See You Again?

0:51:180:51:21

Oh, my God!

0:51:210:51:25

Are you men during the day and women at night?

0:51:250:51:27

-No, I am a lady.

-You're a lady?

0:51:270:51:31

All the time.

0:51:310:51:32

-I am a lady already.

-Transgender.

-Fantastic.

0:51:320:51:39

It's fascinating, but the music was so loud, I hated it.

0:51:390:51:44

But they were beautiful. Some of them were stunningly beautiful.

0:51:450:51:50

Pretty impressed really.

0:51:500:51:51

These boy-girl-boys, pretty impressive.

0:51:510:51:54

Pretty impressive people.

0:51:540:51:55

Anyway, but...I don't really know what to say.

0:51:550:51:58

Do you know what? I'm speechless!

0:51:580:52:01

-Hiya, Dennis.

-I'm going to expose the legs today.

0:52:150:52:19

-Oh, love!

-Oh, lovely!

0:52:190:52:21

My white Irish legs.

0:52:210:52:22

It's the group's final day in Thailand.

0:52:220:52:25

Are you pretty good at home, Paul?

0:52:250:52:27

-Around the kitchen?

-Oh, yes, I do a lot of cooking.

-That's good.

0:52:270:52:31

His wife told me that Paul has got a black belt in cooking.

0:52:310:52:34

She said he'll kill you with one chop.

0:52:340:52:37

It's too early, Dennis, it's just too early, all right?

0:52:370:52:39

It's too early. No, stop, can you stop for one hour?

0:52:390:52:43

Hello.

0:52:430:52:45

Good morning.

0:52:450:52:47

ALL EXCHANGE GREETINGS IN THAI

0:52:470:52:49

Before they head home,

0:52:490:52:51

their hosts have invited the group

0:52:510:52:53

to take part in an ancient Thai custom.

0:52:530:52:56

# When will I see you again? #

0:52:560:52:58

-Bless you.

-The Three Degrees.

0:52:580:53:01

-Yes, yes.

-It's my age, also.

-Yes, and my age, too.

0:53:010:53:05

Oh, look at all this fish.

0:53:100:53:13

Wow.

0:53:130:53:15

Buddhists believe that freeing a captive animal back into the wild

0:53:150:53:19

can bring luck and prosperity.

0:53:190:53:22

Ah, that's what I want, I want a catfish, this one.

0:53:220:53:25

This one, OK.

0:53:250:53:26

I'll have that one on the floor.

0:53:260:53:28

To save it.

0:53:280:53:30

-What about you, Dennis?

-Dennis?

0:53:300:53:34

That small one, yeah.

0:53:360:53:39

They're obviously dying a horrible death.

0:53:390:53:41

You see, my father was a fisherman all the time.

0:53:410:53:44

But I don't particularly like seeing...

0:53:440:53:46

-I don't like seeing it.

-There's some on the ground here.

0:53:460:53:48

I don't like seeing it.

0:53:480:53:50

Anyway, the good thing about it is that we're going to release some.

0:53:500:53:53

We're going to save some, which is actually rather good.

0:53:530:53:56

-We get one each, do we?

-Yeah.

-Thank you, darling, marvellous.

0:53:560:54:00

You don't know how lucky you are, boy.

0:54:010:54:04

Three miles across town

0:54:040:54:06

in the grounds of an ancient temple, is Lake Wat Umong.

0:54:060:54:10

See, you can see a lot of fish.

0:54:100:54:12

We can see the fish, yeah.

0:54:120:54:14

-Turtle.

-Oh, a turtle, see the big turtle.

0:54:140:54:16

Is this where we release the fish?

0:54:160:54:19

Yes. And you can pray.

0:54:190:54:21

Whatever you need. Good health, good life, and go back with safe trip.

0:54:210:54:27

Put the bag in the water.

0:54:270:54:28

Put the bag in the water.

0:54:280:54:30

-HOST RECITES PRAYER IN THAI

-There it goes. Go on, little fish.

0:54:300:54:34

-Something like that.

-Yes.

0:54:340:54:37

Good luck and peace on earth.

0:54:370:54:40

I'm going to take an awful lot away from here

0:54:420:54:45

about accepting the moment in time.

0:54:450:54:47

That's going to be quite hard, but actually,

0:54:470:54:49

it's sort of peaceful and lovely.

0:54:490:54:53

This has been, I think,

0:54:530:54:55

Thailand has been almost life-changing for me,

0:54:550:54:58

in a funny sort of way.

0:54:580:55:00

I think the idea behind the Buddhist faith

0:55:010:55:04

is that if you do good on this earth,

0:55:040:55:06

you'll come back as something special.

0:55:060:55:08

So, if you behave like a rat,

0:55:080:55:10

you'll probably come back as a rat.

0:55:100:55:11

If you behave like a nice, good person,

0:55:110:55:13

you'll come back as a good person and have a good life.

0:55:130:55:17

It's a tortoise. Very nice.

0:55:170:55:19

Look at that.

0:55:190:55:21

I see the allure for people to come here and retire.

0:55:210:55:26

I feel a calmness and a happiness that I can't explain.

0:55:260:55:30

I don't feel teary, I don't feel sad about death,

0:55:300:55:33

I don't feel sad about life.

0:55:330:55:35

I just feel happy at this particular moment.

0:55:350:55:38

He knows, look at that, the tortoise down there.

0:55:380:55:40

Oh, he's having a ball now.

0:55:400:55:43

I've certainly enjoyed the experience.

0:55:430:55:45

I bet my old dad was watching down

0:55:450:55:47

when I released the fish, I would imagine.

0:55:470:55:51

Thailand, it's certainly making me think

0:55:510:55:53

about the spiritual side of things.

0:55:530:55:56

I might start going back to church again

0:55:560:56:00

and take my children to church.

0:56:000:56:03

It's a very peaceful place.

0:56:050:56:08

It's very, very peaceful.

0:56:080:56:10

# Feed the birds... #

0:56:100:56:14

Oh, go away!

0:56:140:56:16

No, go away.

0:56:160:56:19

Sorry, sorry!

0:56:190:56:21

I'm shouting. I'm so sorry.

0:56:210:56:23

You're wearing one, aren't you?

0:56:270:56:30

Oh, no, it wasn't, was it?

0:56:300:56:31

-Good luck, good luck.

-A pigeon landed.

-It bless you.

0:56:310:56:35

-Is that a blessing?

-The pigeon personally blessed me.

0:56:350:56:38

How very lovely of him.

0:56:380:56:40

-I'll live forever now.

-Yes.

0:56:400:56:42

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