very sad to hear this news about my old friend, golfing mate and bridge buddy, John. A gentleman of the first order and someone whom I expected to be forever on the Udon scene. Although I left Udon in 2006, I did have a holiday in and around the old watering holes on my return for a short holiday a few years back. I was delighted to meet up with John again and he appeared to be in fine fettle. I'll never forget his genuine thanks to me for starting a weekly magazine regarding our golfing activities. Sadly our informal gol meetings were formalised into a full-blown golf society with Chairman, Hon Sec etc. which was all quite unnecessary and inevitably led to the demise of casual, friendly golf in Udon. It's been said before but it's true that the first instinct of a few Brits when they get together is to form a committee.

This is of course all irrelevant in the context of the death of one of Udon's own and along with my deep regret to hear of John's passing go my deepest sympathy to his wife and daughter.

Alan S

John is now in the Temple next to his home Ban San Saran for the next 3 days (Lake Garden near T Bar) if anyone wants to visit.
His actual funeral is planned for Sunday 20th.
Exact details will follow when his wife Fon has finalized everything.
She has been very busy and the perfect wife looking after John when he was alive in his poor health/sickness the last 18 monthas & now he has died.
My Sympathy & thanks from my heart go out to her for looking after a dear friend, loving father, husband & gentleman

can any1 put a map on this thred to show where , ban san saran , is please
i,ve not yet been to T bar or i,m thinking maybe near casbers .. and is it going
to be thai funaral on the 20th at what time ?

The Major was one of the first guys I met back in 2000, cruising the day time places for a few cold beers, Complex, Steves Bar, then Harrys etc

John was also Tony Prendergast's wingman for many years here in Udon, and they were best of friends for many years.

Sadly John was unaware of Tony's passing recently , but so lovely to see Fon at Tony's service.

RIP to The Major and thanks for those early memories of Udon

For all those who may be interested John's funeral will be held this coming Sunday (20th) commencing at 1300hrs or 1PM from his house in Ban San Siran. From there the service will be at the Nong Bua Wat nearby.

timmy wrote:can any1 put a map on this thred to show where , ban san saran , is please
i,ve not yet been to T bar or i,m thinking maybe near casbers .. and is it going
to be thai funaral on the 20th at what time ?

Can't do a map for you Timmy but if you turn left from the ring road into Romyen, follow the road and instead of turning left into Soi 3 for Caspers, keep going and the temple is about 200 metres further on, on the right.

Nearest reference on the large Udon Map ii20

About the best I can do for you Timmy. Mouse click on a picture to make it larger..
Oops, sorry went a bit too far 'inland' on the first one...This should be it...

For all those attending the funeral. I have arranged with Steve to put on some sandwiches/snacks & to give everyone a free beer in T Bar after the funeral. Steve will propose a toast in remembrance of a good friend & gentleman John McKnight. Sorry I can not be there as I am in China at present.

A very good turnout for John's funeral. Steve George gave a fine eulogy at the wat. Later, Dave gave an impromptu eulogy at the T-Bar. The food and drinks were a very fine touch for all of John's friends, thank you. John was an icon in the Udon farang community. He will be missed and I am sure we will reminisce about "The Major" in years to come. He was a true gentleman. RIP John.

Having been confined to bed the last few days, have only now learned of the sad demise of John, and am very sad to have missed the opportunity to pay my last respects to a true friend and gentleman, with whom I passed very many 'afternoon' happy hours chatting, extending over a decade. My sincere condolences to Fon & Alannah
R.I.P. dear John.