John Bowers May 2006 Seri Court Visit Comments

1. I visited Seri Court on two occasions. On the first visit, the gate was locked and I could not find anyone who knew how to gain entrance. Some of the shots from Pradiphat Rd and the shots through the gate were taken on that day. Time was limited so I was unable to be more aggressive.
2. On the second visit, I was determined to gain access and take some pictures. As it tuned out, the gate was closed but not locked. So, I proceeded in, figuring that the worst that could happen was to be asked to leave. I was quickly approached by the care taker on his bike. In the best Thai that I could muster, I explained that I had been a soldier there many years ago and only wanted to visit for a while and take some pictures. He was most agreeable and had dealt with several others who had been stationed at the 5^th/83^rd and had returned to visit. He gave me free reign to do as I pleased.
3. As the pictures clearly display, there has been no upkeep on the buildings or the grounds. The old mess hall, tennis court, swimming pool, Klub Kee Maow and water tower are long gone. The original barracks, the new barracks and the HQ Bldg are still standing but all are in very bad condition.
4. It appears that the care taker rents some rooms out on ground level in the original barracks where the Klub and the parking used to be. There is nothing in any of the other buildings.
5. I had access to the HQ Bldg and wandered around there for a while. Most of the rooms were locked but I went up the stairs to the top level and took a few shots. I could not remember what level the 1^st Sgt had his office where we used to go to get condoms. That was one building I stayed out of while I was stationed at the 83^rd.
6. The new barracks where I had lived was very dirty. Most of the rooms were locked but the ones that were open were filthy. The stairwells were full of debris and the one that I used to use to go to the mess hall was gated closed. I could not get into my old room on the second level, as it was locked.
7. The care taker told me that one of the original Thai workers that had worked at Seri Court for many years had remained there after the 83^rd left and in fact, still lived there. His name is Mr. Amnui and he worked as an electrician. He was not there at the time of my visit as he had a doctor’s appointment. He is now 70 years old!!
8. Pradiphat looked the same in many ways. There were new buildings etc, but the basic look and definitely the smells were just the same as you and I remember. Things are still cheap relative to what we know in the US and the food was just as delicious as it always was.
9. I took one shot of the location on Pradiphat (248-3) where the Charoenrat Jewelry Shop used to be. It is now a uniform shop. I’m sure that many of the people that were stationed at the 5^th/83^rd will recognize the pictures I sent of their family and of course, Lek and Bun Thip. These pictures were from 1967.
10. I felt a lot of different emotions during my visit. I was excited to have finally made the return trip to the 83^rd after almost 40 years. I was 19 when I got there and 21 when I left. Needless to say, it was an experience I will never forget. Also I felt a sense of duty to the rest of the people who had served at the 5^th/83^rd over the years. I know that many of them at times reflect back on their experiences in Bangkok and the relationships that they formed. Seri Court will always be in the minds of many of us who served there. There are more people than I can name that I still think of occasionally from the 83^rd. So I wanted to be able to give to those still around who care, a little trip down memory lane. I hope everyone enjoys these photos and that I have served you well.

John Bowers
SP5
1/67 to 8/68
04B2L48
Laotian Linguist

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