Daniel Lavoie : the official website

Daniel Lavoie in Thailand

Le Lundi, 1993
Germain Monté

Daniel Lavoie visited Thailand. For the singer it was an enchanting and enriching journey, even if this country of economic expansion christened by international observers the tiger of Asia, still suffers from its odd reputation because of its capital, Bangkok, crammed full of illicit pleasures. But, most of all, let Daniel describe the journey which he made.

GM: Do you remember the journey down to the smallest details?
DL: I went there nearly a year ago. Even if the memory of it is still with me, I've forgotten, however, some of the details.

GM: Then, what can you instantly bring to mind?
DL: The clammy heat and the smells of Bangkok. The whole of Thailand is extraordinary for those with a keen sense of smell. The smells were as much good and sweet as strong and unpleasant. There were as many pleasant scents like perfume as there were disgusting ones of putrification.

GM: Have you discovered what caused all these smells?
DL: I don't really know. Perhaps it was the humidity and the heat, but I can say that it all became a source of the pleasure of being in Thailand. Finally it seemed good everywhere even when the smell was very pronounced.

GM: Did you get used to it there quickly?
DL: Certain things concerned me but I didn't suffer any difficulties. The smells, they were something which I enjoyed greatly.

GM: Did you stay a long time in the capital?
DL: No, just three days.

GM: Did you go into the interior of the country instead?
DL: We left for the North, towards Burma.

GM: Did you see, know, learn about the country of Siam?
DL: The team and I were in the jungle, crossing mountain villages on foot and of course we visited the archaeological sites. Note that we trundled along often for a long time but that didn't prevent us from taking time to talk with all the people with whom we met up.

GM: One has the tendency to forget these things aren't holidays …
DL: No, this wasn't a holiday, it remained a tour above all things. We followed an itinerary with precise objectives.

GM: Where did you sing?
DL: I sang in a wood cabin in the jungle. There were lots of kids around. It was a beautiful stage.

GM: From your personal experience what do you say about the welcome that Thais give strangers in their country?
DL: They remain a most welcoming people even if the Thais are not very demonstrative. Their kindness is proverbial and they know how to put you at ease.

GM: It's said that all the Asian people are tiny, did you notice that?
DL: Indeed, they are not very big.

GM: Were they similar to the Chinese in any way?
DL: One often noted that one had the impression of being in China, but at other times one thought also of Burma or Vietnam. They have the characteristics of the people from Indo-China.

GM: What was the food like?
DL: One ate without hesitation and everywhere was good. And it was equally healthy everywhere. I had no doubts about eating anything. I wasn't told of anything which could give you some sort of illness.

GM: All the same, weren't you amazed to see what the Thais eat?
DL: Yes, I was astonished. They ate all sorts of insects and rats and the bits and pieces we are not used to eating.

GM: Have you tasted food from South Asia?
DL: No, I've not dared.

GM: It's difficult not to talk about the infamous lupanars (whore-houses) in Thailand…
DL: They don't interest me and I won't make time to see them if I return.

GM: Did you see the signs of what is called "sexual tourism"?
DL: One saw lots of girls around the hotels where westerners stayed, but one sees the same thing in Paris. Anyway, we didn't stay long in Bangkok and all the time we were busy with the tours.

GM: Is there a certain display of poverty?
DL: Undoubtedly, life isn't easy there but I didn't meet up with any type of poverty, I hadn't seen in other countries. That's what makes a good western tourist. Not dragging guilt around with him during his journey.

GM: Was it your first journey to Asia?
DL: Yes, it's the first journey I've made to Asia.

GM: Would you like to go again now?
DL: Of course. If Asia wasn't so far away I'd go tomorrow. Don't forget it's 24 hours by plane, that the feeling of disorientation increases the difficulty.