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A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand
- Thread starter Leongsam
- Start date
Thai Airways: Too good to refuse thb10 consultation by ex TG vets? 
AVIATION
THAI old-timers offer help
A group of Thai Airways International veterans has come up with a jaw-dropping offer -- a six-month consultation to help salvage the 56-year-old flag carrier for almost nothing.
The group of over 10, all senior executives of THAI with a combined working experience of 300 years, has offered to do the job for a token fee of 10.60 baht. If THAI adopts their advice but it does not result in improved performance, they stand ready to pay a penalty fee of 106 baht.
Jothin Pamon-montri, who retired from THAI after 35 years in 1996 when he was executive vice-president for quality and safety assurance, insisted the offer was made in good faith as the veterans were gravely concerned about the bleak prospects of the carrier.
"We feel it is our duty to return something to the organisation where we spent much of our lifetime working," said Capt Jothin, a seasoned pilot.
Each member of the group worked for THAI for 25 and 30 years holding key positions and all are shareholders.
"There is absolutely no issue of conflict of interest between our members and THAI," he said.
Between 2013 and June 2015, THAI suffered combined losses of 35.9 billion baht. However, it made a net profit of 6.22 billion baht in 2012, a turnaround from a 10.2 billion baht loss posted in 2011.
Aside from the token fee of 10.60 baht, the group is not asking for any resources as they will cover expenses by themselves, said Capt Jothin.
The proposed fee appears to mimic the 10.6 million baht the airline is paying to Wayne Pearce, a former head of Oman Air, for a six-month stint as commerce and marketing adviser.
The veterans are critical of some of the airline's recent decisions such as the suspension of Bangkok-Madrid flights, citing losses. Capt Jothin advocated the route should be maintained as its traffic would feed THAI's regional and domestic networks, strengthening overall traffic.
He said he discussed the offer with THAI president Charamporn Jotikasthira, who neither accepted nor declined the proposition.
AVIATION
THAI old-timers offer help
- Bangkok Post Published: 24/09/2015 at 08:35 AM
- Newspaper section: Business
A group of Thai Airways International veterans has come up with a jaw-dropping offer -- a six-month consultation to help salvage the 56-year-old flag carrier for almost nothing.
The group of over 10, all senior executives of THAI with a combined working experience of 300 years, has offered to do the job for a token fee of 10.60 baht. If THAI adopts their advice but it does not result in improved performance, they stand ready to pay a penalty fee of 106 baht.
Jothin Pamon-montri, who retired from THAI after 35 years in 1996 when he was executive vice-president for quality and safety assurance, insisted the offer was made in good faith as the veterans were gravely concerned about the bleak prospects of the carrier.
"We feel it is our duty to return something to the organisation where we spent much of our lifetime working," said Capt Jothin, a seasoned pilot.
Each member of the group worked for THAI for 25 and 30 years holding key positions and all are shareholders.
"There is absolutely no issue of conflict of interest between our members and THAI," he said.
Between 2013 and June 2015, THAI suffered combined losses of 35.9 billion baht. However, it made a net profit of 6.22 billion baht in 2012, a turnaround from a 10.2 billion baht loss posted in 2011.
Aside from the token fee of 10.60 baht, the group is not asking for any resources as they will cover expenses by themselves, said Capt Jothin.
The proposed fee appears to mimic the 10.6 million baht the airline is paying to Wayne Pearce, a former head of Oman Air, for a six-month stint as commerce and marketing adviser.
The veterans are critical of some of the airline's recent decisions such as the suspension of Bangkok-Madrid flights, citing losses. Capt Jothin advocated the route should be maintained as its traffic would feed THAI's regional and domestic networks, strengthening overall traffic.
He said he discussed the offer with THAI president Charamporn Jotikasthira, who neither accepted nor declined the proposition.
Beer queen brews up a storm
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION September 25, 2015 1:00 am
After raising eyebrows in her previous roles, Singha heiress finally gives in and withdraws her police application
FORMER co-leader of the movement against the previous government, Chitpas "Tant" Kridakorn finally gave in to pressure from the police and her opponents and withdrew her application to the police force.
"Thank you for all the encouragement," she said at a news briefing at a Bangkok hotel yesterday, her voice breaking as she spoke.
"However, I express my deepest sorrow for not being fortunate enough to work in the police bureau and being allowed to wear a police uniform as a protector of public peace," she said.
Chitpas became a topic of discussion last Sunday when she officially applied to become a member of the 191 Police Patrol and Special Operations Division.
But members of the public were not the only ones to question the appropriateness of her applying for the position, some police officers also protested by tying black ribbons to their radio equipment. After all, she had led People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) members and stormed into the Royal Thai Police headquarters. Both she and other PDRC leaders face sedition charges.
Chitpas explained that she decided to withdraw her application to calm the controversy, adding that a photograph of her and an interview in English about rural people and democracy shared online had been doctored. She also said that she had never meant to disparage the police, but wanted them to become reliable for the public.
Insisting that she had made all her decisions on her own, she said she would continue working for the people and the PDRC, which has now transformed to the People's Demo-cratic Reform Foundation (PDRF). Chitpas, who is now the assistant secretary for the PDRF, added that she could not say whether she would enter the political arena in the future.
This is not the first time the 30-year-old has surrounded herself in controversy. The eldest daughter of Chutinant and ML Piyapas Bhirombhakdi and heiress to the Boon Rawd Brewery business empire, Chitpas earned a bachelor's in geology from King's College London in 2009.
Always enthusiastic about politics, she was persuaded to enter the arena by Nipon Promphan, the then-secretary-general of former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva.
In 2009, she became secretary to Panitan Wattayanagorn, then-deputy secretary-general of the PM. However, her career came to an abrupt halt in December of that year when she stepped down after "unintentionally" distributing raunchy calendars from Boon Rawd to people in Government House compound.
The following year, she returned to work with the Information and Communications Technology Ministry, before becoming a candidate under the Democrat Party banner for the 2011 election. However, she didn't win.
Undeterred, the beer heiress became a deputy spokesperson for the Democrat Party and in 2012 she began hosting a show broadcast on the party's Fah Won Mai channel.
She gained some prominence in 2013 by taking on a key role in the PDRC protests against the blanket amnesty bill proposed by the Pheu Thai Party. Apart from reporting PDRC-related news in English, she also created a "school under the trees" at Lumpini Park to occupy the children of the participants.
In her website, www.chitpas.com, she says she was called the "the angel of the great mass of people". However, her interviews with foreign media during the rally raised the hackles of her opponents, who said she had insulted rural people and questioned their understanding of democracy.
She then decided to drop her father's surname, Bhirombhakdi, to take up her mother's royally bestowed last name - Kridakorn. She said the change was to protect her family's business from the collateral damage of her political activities.
Once the PDRC rally was brought to an end by the May 2014 coup, she became a valedictorian at Chulalongkorn University, graduating with a master's degree in public administration.
However, her being given this honour raised a widespread debate on social media, with many pointing out that she was involved in political cases and faced sedition charges.
Also, several university professors refused to attend the graduation ceremony, even though she got to deliver her valedictorian speech.
Meanwhile, a police source said all candidates who wish to withdraw their application must submit a letter to that effect, otherwise the Metropolitan Police Bureau would continue with the procedure.
Chitpas was supposed to complete the application procedure by Tuesday, though so far she has only completed her physical check-up. She has not left her fingerprints, which allows the police bureau to check her criminal record. The police bureau should be able to make a decision on her ineligibility soon, the source added.
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION September 25, 2015 1:00 am
Chitpas
FORMER co-leader of the movement against the previous government, Chitpas "Tant" Kridakorn finally gave in to pressure from the police and her opponents and withdrew her application to the police force.
"Thank you for all the encouragement," she said at a news briefing at a Bangkok hotel yesterday, her voice breaking as she spoke.
"However, I express my deepest sorrow for not being fortunate enough to work in the police bureau and being allowed to wear a police uniform as a protector of public peace," she said.
Chitpas became a topic of discussion last Sunday when she officially applied to become a member of the 191 Police Patrol and Special Operations Division.
But members of the public were not the only ones to question the appropriateness of her applying for the position, some police officers also protested by tying black ribbons to their radio equipment. After all, she had led People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) members and stormed into the Royal Thai Police headquarters. Both she and other PDRC leaders face sedition charges.
Chitpas explained that she decided to withdraw her application to calm the controversy, adding that a photograph of her and an interview in English about rural people and democracy shared online had been doctored. She also said that she had never meant to disparage the police, but wanted them to become reliable for the public.
Insisting that she had made all her decisions on her own, she said she would continue working for the people and the PDRC, which has now transformed to the People's Demo-cratic Reform Foundation (PDRF). Chitpas, who is now the assistant secretary for the PDRF, added that she could not say whether she would enter the political arena in the future.
This is not the first time the 30-year-old has surrounded herself in controversy. The eldest daughter of Chutinant and ML Piyapas Bhirombhakdi and heiress to the Boon Rawd Brewery business empire, Chitpas earned a bachelor's in geology from King's College London in 2009.
Always enthusiastic about politics, she was persuaded to enter the arena by Nipon Promphan, the then-secretary-general of former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva.
In 2009, she became secretary to Panitan Wattayanagorn, then-deputy secretary-general of the PM. However, her career came to an abrupt halt in December of that year when she stepped down after "unintentionally" distributing raunchy calendars from Boon Rawd to people in Government House compound.
The following year, she returned to work with the Information and Communications Technology Ministry, before becoming a candidate under the Democrat Party banner for the 2011 election. However, she didn't win.
Undeterred, the beer heiress became a deputy spokesperson for the Democrat Party and in 2012 she began hosting a show broadcast on the party's Fah Won Mai channel.
She gained some prominence in 2013 by taking on a key role in the PDRC protests against the blanket amnesty bill proposed by the Pheu Thai Party. Apart from reporting PDRC-related news in English, she also created a "school under the trees" at Lumpini Park to occupy the children of the participants.
In her website, www.chitpas.com, she says she was called the "the angel of the great mass of people". However, her interviews with foreign media during the rally raised the hackles of her opponents, who said she had insulted rural people and questioned their understanding of democracy.
She then decided to drop her father's surname, Bhirombhakdi, to take up her mother's royally bestowed last name - Kridakorn. She said the change was to protect her family's business from the collateral damage of her political activities.
Once the PDRC rally was brought to an end by the May 2014 coup, she became a valedictorian at Chulalongkorn University, graduating with a master's degree in public administration.
However, her being given this honour raised a widespread debate on social media, with many pointing out that she was involved in political cases and faced sedition charges.
Also, several university professors refused to attend the graduation ceremony, even though she got to deliver her valedictorian speech.
Meanwhile, a police source said all candidates who wish to withdraw their application must submit a letter to that effect, otherwise the Metropolitan Police Bureau would continue with the procedure.
Chitpas was supposed to complete the application procedure by Tuesday, though so far she has only completed her physical check-up. She has not left her fingerprints, which allows the police bureau to check her criminal record. The police bureau should be able to make a decision on her ineligibility soon, the source added.
Chicken fried rice not bad today
I want pictures of Business Class MILF Chief Stewardess lah.
[h=1]Thailand: Tourist killed in boat accident near popular floating market; 22 injured[/h]
Boats with visitors maneuver through the Amphawa floating market at Samut Songkhram province March 16, 2013.Reuters
A tourist boat plying on Thailand's Mae Klong River crashed into another boat on Friday night, leaving one tourist dead and 22 others injured.
The accident occurred near a popular floating market in Thailand's Amphawa district. The tourists, including 21 South Koreans and two Hungarians, were on a boat to see fireflies along the river when they crashed into an empty passenger boat.
A 61-year-old Hungarian woman died after suffering head injuries in the boat crash, while four others were seriously injured, according to The Bangkok Post.
According to the police, the driver of the tourist boat had likely turned off lights on the boat for the sighting of fireflies in the night.
Both the boat drivers fled from the scene of the crash, which was 500 meters from the Amphawa Floating Market.
Article Published:September 26, 2015 11:36 IST
- By Mugdha Variyar
| Updated: September 26, 2015 11:36 IST
A tourist boat plying on Thailand's Mae Klong River crashed into another boat on Friday night, leaving one tourist dead and 22 others injured.
The accident occurred near a popular floating market in Thailand's Amphawa district. The tourists, including 21 South Koreans and two Hungarians, were on a boat to see fireflies along the river when they crashed into an empty passenger boat.
A 61-year-old Hungarian woman died after suffering head injuries in the boat crash, while four others were seriously injured, according to The Bangkok Post.
According to the police, the driver of the tourist boat had likely turned off lights on the boat for the sighting of fireflies in the night.
Both the boat drivers fled from the scene of the crash, which was 500 meters from the Amphawa Floating Market.
Article Published:September 26, 2015 11:36 IST
UNITED NATIONS TRIP
[h=2]Government dismisses UN protests[/h][h=3]Foreign countries 'confident' in regime[/h]
The military regime and the government brushed off anti-coup protests at the United Nations in New York Sunday, saying the move would not cast Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a bad light or undermine him at the summit.
Col Winthai Suvaree, spokesman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said the prime minister's visit was not ruined by the anti-coup protests and he received a warm welcome from his supporters in the US.
He pointed out that demonstrations at the UN General Assembly were common and the protests against the Thai leader were unlikely to attract special attention or damage the country's image.
Two distinct crowds of Thai expatiates went to the United Nations building on Sunday, with government spokesmen in Bangkok praising one and dismissing the other. (Photos by Kanyakrit Vongkiatkajorn)
The regime spokesman expressed confidence the international community now has a better understanding of the political situation in Thailand. Col Winthai said the endorsement of Bangkok by the group of 77 developing nations (G-77) to chair the 51-year-old bloc at the UN for 2016-2017 is proof of the international community's confidence.
Gen Prayut arrived in New York last week to attend the United Nations General Assembly. The highlight of his trip will be an address to the assembly on Wednesday at 6am Thai time.
Government spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Gen Prayut's appearance at several key UN forums also reflected an acceptance from the international community.
Without contribution from the Thai public, the government's efforts alone could not achieve this, he said.
"Foreign countries understand now that we do have problems and we want to solve them. They also have confidence the government will do its best and take the country toward democracy," Maj Gen Sansern quoted the prime minister as saying.
About 100 Thais demonstrated in front of UN Headquarters on Saturday as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha made his first appearance at the UN General Assembly in New York.
"We love you Prayut!" yelled supporters in yellow shirts on one side. "Prayut get out!" yelled detractors on the other. The rival groups were separated by protesters from other countries. Each side had about 50 to 60 supporters from across the United States.
"I feel like Thailand has become so much more peaceful since Gen Prayut has been in power," said Wanida Sreewarom, who took a flight from Los Angeles and arrived in New York at 6am that day. "I've sacrificed my time and work to be here so I can show that I support him, especially when I heard that others were protesting against him."
"Our past governments have had so much corruption and we want to move forward," said Atrisak Jesdanun, 78. "We want reform and we want Gen Prayut to reform the constitution."
"He is someone who works hard and is committed to Thailand. What he is doing is necessary for the country," said Tanya Pramongkit, a 47-year-old graphic designer from Chantaburi.
Red-shirt protesters called for a return to democracy and an end to Section 44 and Section 112, known as the lese majeste law. "I'm disappointed that Thailand is not a democracy," said Darunee Kitboonyalai, a red-shirt activist who says she fled the country after being charged with lese majeste. "We don't have fundamental rights in Thailand. I love the King, but why can't we have a democracy?"
"I feel like there are so many people who want to express themselves in Thailand, but can't," said Chutiphong Pippoinyo, a 26 year-old who flew in from San Francisco.
He says he rounded up messages from his friends, many of them university students involved in activism in Bangkok, to share at the protest. "I'm here so Prayut knows what my friends and I have to say."
Patcha Boonkerd, a 27-year-old studying in New York, came to the protests after seeing messages posted on Facebook.
"I just want a government that we have actually voted for," said Ms Patcha, who is from Ayuttaya and is studying in New York. "I can accept it if someone says that we're not ready for a democracy, but I can't accept that the current government is pretending and saying that we live in a democracy."
Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Summit last night, Gen Prayut said the Thai government and people stand with the global community in its resolve to realise the new sustainable development agenda.
He said that besides climate change, another pressing challenge is inequality. It is the root cause of such problems as poverty, conflict over resources, and irregular migration -- problems which may in turn spawn violence.
To address inequality, effective laws are needed. The government has passed a number of laws on the protection of the homeless, gender equality, and promoting equitable access to resources and public services, he said.
Similar support is also extended to non-citizens. The government offers social and legal protection to unskilled migrant workers. Last year alone, over 1.6 million migrants were registered and regularised for employment to protect them from human rights abuses and human trafficking.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha spoke Sunday at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment: A Commitment to Action. Spokesmen in Bangkok cited the speech as proof that the military regime is accepted by the world. (Photo courtesy of Government House)
Supporters of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hold banners welcoming the premier to New York. They have been rallying at the UN since Saturday and today will be their last day. Photo from PDRC New York's Facebook
Anti-coup activists gather in front of the United Nations to denounce the military regime during Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's visit to New York. (Photo by Kanyakrit Vongkiatkajorn)
[h=2]Government dismisses UN protests[/h][h=3]Foreign countries 'confident' in regime[/h]
- Published: 28/09/2015 at 03:46 AM
- Newspaper section: News
The military regime and the government brushed off anti-coup protests at the United Nations in New York Sunday, saying the move would not cast Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a bad light or undermine him at the summit.
Col Winthai Suvaree, spokesman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said the prime minister's visit was not ruined by the anti-coup protests and he received a warm welcome from his supporters in the US.
He pointed out that demonstrations at the UN General Assembly were common and the protests against the Thai leader were unlikely to attract special attention or damage the country's image.
The regime spokesman expressed confidence the international community now has a better understanding of the political situation in Thailand. Col Winthai said the endorsement of Bangkok by the group of 77 developing nations (G-77) to chair the 51-year-old bloc at the UN for 2016-2017 is proof of the international community's confidence.
Gen Prayut arrived in New York last week to attend the United Nations General Assembly. The highlight of his trip will be an address to the assembly on Wednesday at 6am Thai time.
Government spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Gen Prayut's appearance at several key UN forums also reflected an acceptance from the international community.
Without contribution from the Thai public, the government's efforts alone could not achieve this, he said.
"Foreign countries understand now that we do have problems and we want to solve them. They also have confidence the government will do its best and take the country toward democracy," Maj Gen Sansern quoted the prime minister as saying.
About 100 Thais demonstrated in front of UN Headquarters on Saturday as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha made his first appearance at the UN General Assembly in New York.
"We love you Prayut!" yelled supporters in yellow shirts on one side. "Prayut get out!" yelled detractors on the other. The rival groups were separated by protesters from other countries. Each side had about 50 to 60 supporters from across the United States.
"I feel like Thailand has become so much more peaceful since Gen Prayut has been in power," said Wanida Sreewarom, who took a flight from Los Angeles and arrived in New York at 6am that day. "I've sacrificed my time and work to be here so I can show that I support him, especially when I heard that others were protesting against him."
"Our past governments have had so much corruption and we want to move forward," said Atrisak Jesdanun, 78. "We want reform and we want Gen Prayut to reform the constitution."
"He is someone who works hard and is committed to Thailand. What he is doing is necessary for the country," said Tanya Pramongkit, a 47-year-old graphic designer from Chantaburi.
Red-shirt protesters called for a return to democracy and an end to Section 44 and Section 112, known as the lese majeste law. "I'm disappointed that Thailand is not a democracy," said Darunee Kitboonyalai, a red-shirt activist who says she fled the country after being charged with lese majeste. "We don't have fundamental rights in Thailand. I love the King, but why can't we have a democracy?"
"I feel like there are so many people who want to express themselves in Thailand, but can't," said Chutiphong Pippoinyo, a 26 year-old who flew in from San Francisco.
He says he rounded up messages from his friends, many of them university students involved in activism in Bangkok, to share at the protest. "I'm here so Prayut knows what my friends and I have to say."
Patcha Boonkerd, a 27-year-old studying in New York, came to the protests after seeing messages posted on Facebook.
"I just want a government that we have actually voted for," said Ms Patcha, who is from Ayuttaya and is studying in New York. "I can accept it if someone says that we're not ready for a democracy, but I can't accept that the current government is pretending and saying that we live in a democracy."
Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Summit last night, Gen Prayut said the Thai government and people stand with the global community in its resolve to realise the new sustainable development agenda.
He said that besides climate change, another pressing challenge is inequality. It is the root cause of such problems as poverty, conflict over resources, and irregular migration -- problems which may in turn spawn violence.
To address inequality, effective laws are needed. The government has passed a number of laws on the protection of the homeless, gender equality, and promoting equitable access to resources and public services, he said.
Similar support is also extended to non-citizens. The government offers social and legal protection to unskilled migrant workers. Last year alone, over 1.6 million migrants were registered and regularised for employment to protect them from human rights abuses and human trafficking.
Granny yoga expert
Miracle cure: Isaan granny is a self-taught yoga wonder
The Nation
email: [email protected] September 28, 2015 1:00 am
It wasn't all that long ago that yoga was something only hippies did. Now there are almost as many yoga studios and yoga retreats in Thailand as Starbucks.
You've got your Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga, your Hot Yoga and your Bikram Yoga. There's restorative yoga for the lame and celebrity yoga for the likes of Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. Up in Thailand's Northeast, they've got Granny Yoga.
It's not likely to be formally recognised by the World Yoga Congress, but it's certainly got their attention.
Eighty-one-year-old Buason Chandraprachoo, a potter who lives in Varin Chamrab district, Ubon Rachathani, didn't set out to create a new form of yoga or anything. She just needed to stretch.
Almost four decades ago Buason's right arm was giving her problems. Numbness worsened into almost complete rigidity. Massage helped, but gentle exercise and deep breathing helped more, so she gradually developed a whole workout - and her arm was soon fine again.
Having never visited a yoga class, let alone an ashram, "Granny Buason", as she's affectionately known, signed up for a yoga-for-health programme offered in Kam Nam Sab some years ago by a public-health official. And here's the real miracle in all this: The government official was stunned to see the elderly lady doing advanced asanas, as yoga poses are called.
"High flexibility is needed for these kinds of poses, and it's very unusual to find that level of flexibility in people of her age," he said. "I realised right away that I'd found a health-conscious community leader who could help us encourage others to gain benefits from exercise."
So Granny is now a yoga teacher too, leading sessions at the local temple. Word got around on the social media - accompanied by photos of this old woman folded up like a pretzel - and she's become something of a celebrity in her own right, an inspiration for yoga practitioners around the country.
And it all started with a sore arm. "I just stretched the part that ached and took deep breaths in and out at least three times," she says, "and when I finished I felt better. My diabetes has improved too! I also pray every day to nourish my soul.
"I get great results from my exercises and I want to share them with others."
That's right - she had no idea that what she was doing was yoga. She just kept stretching because it eased the pain - and she did this on her own for almost 40 years.
The plan for Granny Buason is to live until she's 100. We're betting she'll get a lot further than that.
Miracle cure: Isaan granny is a self-taught yoga wonder
The Nation
email: [email protected] September 28, 2015 1:00 am
Granny Buason leads a yoga class in Kam Nam Sab, Ubon Ratchathani. Photo/Facebook/Kam Nam Sab sub district
It wasn't all that long ago that yoga was something only hippies did. Now there are almost as many yoga studios and yoga retreats in Thailand as Starbucks.
You've got your Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga, your Hot Yoga and your Bikram Yoga. There's restorative yoga for the lame and celebrity yoga for the likes of Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. Up in Thailand's Northeast, they've got Granny Yoga.
It's not likely to be formally recognised by the World Yoga Congress, but it's certainly got their attention.
Eighty-one-year-old Buason Chandraprachoo, a potter who lives in Varin Chamrab district, Ubon Rachathani, didn't set out to create a new form of yoga or anything. She just needed to stretch.
Almost four decades ago Buason's right arm was giving her problems. Numbness worsened into almost complete rigidity. Massage helped, but gentle exercise and deep breathing helped more, so she gradually developed a whole workout - and her arm was soon fine again.
Having never visited a yoga class, let alone an ashram, "Granny Buason", as she's affectionately known, signed up for a yoga-for-health programme offered in Kam Nam Sab some years ago by a public-health official. And here's the real miracle in all this: The government official was stunned to see the elderly lady doing advanced asanas, as yoga poses are called.
"High flexibility is needed for these kinds of poses, and it's very unusual to find that level of flexibility in people of her age," he said. "I realised right away that I'd found a health-conscious community leader who could help us encourage others to gain benefits from exercise."
So Granny is now a yoga teacher too, leading sessions at the local temple. Word got around on the social media - accompanied by photos of this old woman folded up like a pretzel - and she's become something of a celebrity in her own right, an inspiration for yoga practitioners around the country.
And it all started with a sore arm. "I just stretched the part that ached and took deep breaths in and out at least three times," she says, "and when I finished I felt better. My diabetes has improved too! I also pray every day to nourish my soul.
"I get great results from my exercises and I want to share them with others."
That's right - she had no idea that what she was doing was yoga. She just kept stretching because it eased the pain - and she did this on her own for almost 40 years.
The plan for Granny Buason is to live until she's 100. We're betting she'll get a lot further than that.
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