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Published: February 14th 2007
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me with Koravisd Nathalang (Khong)
Just woke up after an overnight journey to Chiang Mai. Picture is blurry because of moving train and the 80 year old photographer had just gotten out of bed. Shortly after I settled into my seat, and just as I began to reflect on my first few days in Thailand, a Thai man sat down across from me. This particular overnight train was set up such that two seats faced one another on one side of the train car, then the aisle, than two more seats on the other side. The seats ultimately folded down creating a bunkbed style sleeping arangement on both sides of the aisle. The same layout spanned all the way from one end of the car to the other. Anyway, just as I was running through the events of the previous few days, Khong sat down directly in front of me. I had been thinking that except for 'Tum', the absolutely wonderful woman who owns and manages Asha Guest House (where by the way, they make far and away the best curry I've ever had - both green and red, but green especially), I had yet to be blown away by the people in Thailand, the famed 'Land of Smiles'. Of course it had only been a few days, and being a huge capital city, Bangkok is probably not the best barometer for judging Thai people as a whole anyway. Also, I dont speak Thai - Part of what has made my travels to Central and South America so special are the genuine relationships I formed based on my ability to speak Spanish. Ok, more later on my impressions of Bangkok - now back to the train ride.
So Khong sat down across from me and we exchanged the standard greeting of 'Sawaddee Krub' (pronounced 'crap') I quickly learned that he was extremely intelligent and that he spoke quite a bit of English - and he was eager to practice by speaking with me. So he talked about his job as a biology professor at a Bangkok university, his family, the Thai people, the King, and on and on. He also asked me about the US, my life, etc. After about 2 hours, well past the time most other travelers had crashed for the night, the train attendent told us it was bed time as he had to set up our bunks...So after a relatively pleasant night's sleep, at about 5 in the morning, an hour or two before arriving in Chiang Mai, Khong woke me up. He politely apologized for doing so, but he wanted to give me a letter he wrote for me during the evening. I thought I would share - (transcribed):
***
Andrew. According to your solitary trip, I would like to help you whatever you need as I can, but I have less tome on this train because I will drop at Lampang province before you arrival to Chiangmai. I know you are clever and can analyze human behavior and activities. I do summarize something in addition as following. 1) Thai people would like to have conversation with foreigner, but they can't because of their english language are poor or not good. 2) Good Thai people have some characteristics. 2.1) sincerely 2.2) polite, lovely 2.3) kindness and helpful 2.4) honest and sacrify (in some people not all) 2.5) best relationship to foreigner 3) Bad people you must be careful such as theif or murderer in some place that far from the cities. 4) If you have some problem, you can call tourism policeman or "191" 5) In northern part and noertheastern part of Thailand, thai people love former P.M. Thaksin Shinawat, you must comment him in everyways. 6) Acording to your good looking, some Thai girls are interesting in you, and may come to close to you with some objective, you must classify carefully. 7) Thai food always hot and spicy you must tell the seller "not hot" even though you may get stomachache. 8) Thailand has many culture and natural parks that will amaze you so much. "Have a nice trip" Sincerely yours, Koravisd Nathalang
***
A very nice letter from a extremely nice man...but there's more. That day, after settling down in Chiang I went to check my email. Khong had written me. Again, I thought I would share:
***
(subject: Sacret thing that can protect you !) Andrew, I forgot to give some thing to you before I dropped at Lampang province this morning. I have some little Buddha sculpher named in Thai language "Pra Krueng" version 'Pra Phijit kang met'. This holy thing is
very sacret that can protect you from harmful and any of accidents. If you get temporary resident in Chiengmai, please e-mail me immediately, I will sent you by express mail to you,then you can get those sacret thing within 2 days.I worry about your safty because you travell alone without any partners and has a plan to go to Loas and Cambodia also,please get this thing,don't hesitate anything without any consideration because I really intend to give to you with my
hospitallity and to 'well come' you for this occation in visiting Thailand. I hope you are well and enjoy your trip in Thailand. Best Regard, Koravisd Nathalang (Khong)
***
My response:
***
Hello my friend. I am very happy to have met you on the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. You are an extremely intelligent person with a very big heart. I have a very good impression of Thai people because of speaking with you. Thank you so much for the kind gesture of offering me your sacred Buddha sculpture. It means a lot to me. Unfortunately, I will be leaving Chiang Mai tomorrow and heading towards Chiang Rai and then into Laos. Although I will not have the Buddha sculpture with me, I will have the spirit of the Budda sculpture because of your kind offering - and will keep me safe on my travels. Again, thank you very much. Please keep in touch with email and I will be sure to contact you when I head back to Bangkok. I wish you health, happiness and prosperity. Take care. Andrew
***
and finally, his response:
***
Sawadee krub Andrew,my freind : I'm glad to hear your movement again, Eventhough you don't have those Buddha sculpher, I
will pray and chant for the power of it plus my best wish to make you safe in everwher you go,especially Cambodia. I wish you find good things,good person and good oppotunity and success. I impressed you also, Andrew. You are very polite kind and very sincere, difference from any other American young men that I have seen before.Your performance look like Thais more than American. I think that you must come from high cultural family.Your parent have good luk to have such son like you. Keep in touch me also,Andrew. and hope to see you again in Bangkok. Best regard, Koravisd
***
So I still reserve judgement on my ultimate feelings for the Thai people, but this man is certainly quite nice. That's it for now
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