Petal and Ben's Adventures in Thailand

By Colin Devonshire

Petal and her brother, Ben, were moved from their happy life in England to the other side of the world - Thailand.

Their father's job meant the family had to go. The new house was on the beach, so, not all bad. Also, they had a mountain next door. It was more of a grand hill when you are young, it is big.

The children wanted to explore, they met talking monkeys and birds that made shapes in the sky. Watch out danger lurks.

Three separate stories, misunderstanding in book one, rubbish in book two and spending too much time using a mobile phone!

Parents will relate. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark-Novels.com
• Release date: Oct 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393678014

Colin Devonshire

Colin Devonshire worked in print and allied trades in London before spending twenty years as editor of a lifestyle magazine in Hua Hin, Thailand. He now writes fiction and non-fiction full-time. His wife, children and six dogs keep him busy!

Book preview

Petal and Ben’s

Adventures in Thailand 

Book One 

Na Gah

The Nine-Headed Snake

Book two

What A Load of Rubbish!

Book three

WiFied Piper

Chapter one

Christmas Day 1980 

C ome out of the water - Now! 

A lady dressed in a pink blouse and black knee-length skirt screamed from the beach. The lady was the mother of one child playing in the sea. The young mother was in a panic, she was jumping up and down. But she would not venture further into the sea. 

The gang of boisterous children, who a minute ago were happily splashing and playing, were now running for the sandy beach as fast as their legs would carry them. They had not noticed that one of their friends had disappeared beneath the waves. 

Chapter two

This year

LITTLE BEN HAD JUST celebrated his eighth birthday. He was wearing his new T-shirt. Wow, he loved that shirt, his best friend and sister had chosen it for him. She knew he loved blue. 

Ben’s sister, Petal; she was a big girl now; she had reached double figures, the grand old age of ten. 

The children's father had enjoyed working for a newspaper in the small town where they lived in the south of England. But it was time for a move, their Dad was adventurous he wanted a big change. And a big change he got. They were moving from their house, their friends, their Granny and the school they loved.

Their Dad sat them down and told them about his exciting new job. They weren’t so sure it was exciting. They didn’t want to leave everything they knew.

He told them they had offered him a new job in a country called Thailand. They would move soon, to a new house, a new school and new friends. Ben said he had never heard of Thailand, but Petal knew all about the place.

It's near Turkey, where we get our Christmas dinner from. 

Her father, named Jack, said, No, Petal dear, I think I confuse you. Thailand is in Asia, and most people there donʼt celebrate Christmas. 

Both children stared at their father. Can this get any worse?

If there is no Christmas, we donʼt want to go! 

We can have our own Christmas donʼt worry. Just think, every day will be like summer holidays on the beach. 

They looked at each other, then at their father.

Okay then, let's go. 

Petal thought for a minute and said, If we have to leave Granny behind, can we have a dog?

Petal’s Mum tried to cover a smile, Dad was stuck for a minute, then said, I’m not sure about the rules in our new house, let me find out.

The children ran up to their rooms smiling.

Chapter three

Thailand - and a new home

They had landed at Bangkok's new airport. Bangkok is Thailand's capital city, it is huge and extremely busy. They all stayed in a grand hotel for one night because their father had to meet his new boss. The new boss was editor of Thailand's best known English language newspaper.

THE CHILDREN, TIRED because of their flight. Twelve hours on a plane was a long time for anybody, especially if you have never been on a flight before. 

Daddy, we donʼt like it here. It's hot and noisy. 

Donʼt worry children, tomorrow we are going to our new house, where it is quiet except for the crashing of the waves on the beach and sea birds squawking at each other. 

Sure enough, when their father had finished his meeting, they set off for their new home. 

I will work at home most days, but one day each week I have to go to the newspaper office in Bangkok. So for most of the time, we can play in the garden or on the beach, and I can spend time with you two and mummy.

It has been very difficult for mummy, you know? 

Mummy has to ride in a wheelchair because she had a nasty accident and now could not walk, but she never lost her temper with Petal or Ben. 

Young Petal has a new Tablet, a present that her Granny given her, "You must send me