UDON THANI — A British former naval officer who found love with a Thai woman and lived together for nearly ten years, continues to visit after her death from cancer. He flies in annually to clean and change flowers at the stupa containing his wife’s ashes in Ban Dung, Udon Thani.
On November 9, Khaosod reporters in Udon Thani found a foreign man carrying a broom and fresh flowers, walking to a stupa containing ashes at Wat Sri Suwan Mongkol in Ban Sri Muang, Ban Muang subdistrict, Ban Dung district. They went over to speak with him.
Mr. Andrew Richardson, 63, from York, England, said he traveled from England to visit his wife whom he hasn’t forgotten even after her passing. He comes to clean the stupa containing her ashes and change the flowers, something he has done consistently for 4 years.
“I was formerly in the navy, and after retiring, I worked at a tire manufacturing plant. I met and married my wife, Samorn Prasomsi, and we were together for nearly 10 years. Unfortunately, she passed away from cancer 4 years ago. After her death, my sister in England asked me to return to live there,” Andrew said.
He continued that out of love and longing for his wife, he flies to this temple to make merit and clean the stupa containing her ashes. Last year, he couldn’t come because he underwent heart surgery. Once his condition improved this year, he flew immediately, arriving on November 5 and planning to return to England on November 12.
“I love Thai women and I loved this woman very much. Even though my wife has passed away, I think about her all the time. In my opinion, Thai women are the most special, and my wife was a good person who made me happy. She will be my last wife,” Andrew said.
______