Once Upon a Pattaya

What could the connection possibly be between Elton John’s  at the time outrageously high platform shoes, The psdhychedelic clothing worn by Jimi Hendrix and Queen’s Freddie Mercury and lithesome oriental lasses in far flung Thailand? Oh yes… throw in a hit Hollywood movie as well.

The answer lies in the artistic flair and pen of one Rae Lambert, the creator of a series of cartoons lampooning relationships and life in general here in Fun Town.  It has been a long and rollercoasting route from Hastings, Sussex, through the free love era, Hollywood fame to a rather quiter, yet just as interesting life at present. This story alone could warrant a bestselling autobiography.

I sat enthralled as tales of the hurdy gurdy lifestyle and fashions of Carnaby Street in the sixties and seventies sprung forth, reliving Gary Glitter’s clothing (designed by Rae) being ripped from his body by adoring fans. Meeting and designing clothing and other apparel for the aforementioned Messrs. Hendrix, Mercury and John as well as Rod Stewart, Slade and a host of others. Rae’s mischievious nature and questioning eye had him kicked out of Hasting’s college art classes for lampooning teachers during the supposedly serious Lautrec lessons. It was however his wife’s description of a hedgehog in peril that planted a seed in his mind and prompted him to return to college in Cardiff to qualify for a graphic design diploma. The rest is history as they say, Russell the hedgehog and the rest of the Furlings, helped him land the post of head of graphic design at HTV. Meeting up with Mike Young, the creator of the ‘Superted’ series, paved the way for the link to the Hanna-Barbera studios in Hollywood.

The pampered, chauffeur driven lifestyle however soon disappeared as Hollywood raised it’s ugly venomous head. Numerous executives began to claim the work of “Once upon a forest” as their own and legal wrangling left Rae a very disappointed  and not so wealthy man. Merchandising and DVD sales continue to this day without Rae benefitting from his artistic genius. All his work have one common theme, the threat to the environment and endangered species, something which Rae is very passionate about. He hopes his stories and characters can convey a message of hope and a wake-up call to both adults and children alike.

Today, Rae ‘works’ for pleasure and the enjoyment of depicting scenarios that play out daily on this highly entertaining stage called Pattaya. He gains his insights and delightfully barbed witticisms from actual experiences, eaves dropped conversations and ‘other unreliably informed sources.’ Anyone who has ever cohabitated with a Thai lady will recognize the many daily scenes played out. “It’s a battlefield out there!” grins Rae, “Beer-bar girls are natural guerilla fighters and readily nestle into the bed’s of the enemy, plotting sedition, financial sequestration and ultimate overthrow.” He is quick however to point out that for the lucky few, beautiful romances do happen. His cartoons are finely balanced with Farangs getting their fair share of tongue-in –cheek criticism.

“Cartoons often contain the wisdom and benefits of other’s  experiences and mistakes, which is just as well, since we have insufficient time to make them all ourselves.”

Spare a thought as you page through this great magazine, for the man who spends so much time and effort in bringing humour and self awareness into our battle hardened existence. Rae in turn dedicates his cartoon art to ‘all the Pattaya beer-bar girls, Go-go dancers and their Farang boyfriends. But, please girls, don’t come after me with a carving knife, pool cue or your Thai boyfriend’s homemade pistol if you find yourself thinly disguised within one of my cartoons! It’s a compliment that I think you so worthy of being recorded for posterity!’

So, next time you are up to your normal everyday antics and become aware of a large bearded man taking in your every move,be sure to check  out the next issue of the Pattaya Trader, you will achieve your star on the Pattaya-Wood walk of fame.