Preparing for the main event
27 riders turned up with their bikes to send Tom off as a fellow biker.
Thanks to all those guys who came.
Buddhist prayers get underway
Tom was a strong character & you always knew where you stood with him.
And on the day 73 people came on the day to show their respect for a man who stood for what he believed in. The attendance was considerably more than we had anticipated, & a remarkable show of respect for Tom, the biker, the adventurer, the man.
Some riders came from afar - Khon Kaen & the south. Mates of Tom from his original Samui days.
Nom, the wife of Liam (Tom's best mate) who did an amazing job organizing the temple funeral .
Kylie & Steel, pouring holy water for the ceremony.
Kylie, Tom's daughter, handing out cloth to be presented to the monks.
Matt, Tom's son, presenting cloth to the monks.
Matt's first time in Thailand & it was an emotional surreal experience for him.
The cool head monk,
who after the funeral, expressed the opinion that it had been one the warmest most sincere emotional funerals he has ever conducted, such was the warmth & compassoin shared around by everyone.
Tom's younger brother Dave, delivering a beautiful eulogy
Kylie delivering an eulogy from Tom's grand daughters.
Liam, Tom' best mate delivering a superb off the cuff eulogy
in clear easy to understand English!
Amazing Liam - what a true heart felt performer.
The 73 people who came
Tom' family
Tom's family with Con, the last guy to share a burger with Tom the night before.
Final prayers before moving Tom on
Bikes were lined up as a guard of honour for Tom
As his coffin passed, engines were revved up & horns tooted to make sure it was a rousing send off
Bye bye Tom, gone but certainly not forgotten.
The funeral wake to celebrate Tom's life & adventures held at the
Bamboo Bar in San Sai.
Despite the occasion, this was a seriously enjoyable evening & I believe that Tom's family all felt as if they suddenly had an new extended family in Chiang Mai.
Tom already watching from above turned on a double rainbow for us to show his pleasure
Cheers Tom & family.
Thank you thank you everyone who came.
A special mention must be made of
Tony Stride for his brilliiant efforts in handling the events in Phayao, for without you, we would have never got to first base organizing the funeral & being able to set up such a smooth event.
Liam (Tom's best mate) & his wife Nom
Tim & Veronica for organizing everything in Chiang Mai with Tom's family & the Australian embassy.
Joolz Price & the Bamboo Bar in San Sai for hosting the wake for Tom.
Kirstin at the Australian embassy for some sterling work, perhaps above & beyond the call of duty
See you all on the next GTR Mae Hong Son Loop memorial ride.
The TJ John Hamilton – Simon Siinthai Grant Memorial Ride # 7
