Introduction: “Why Thailand?” you may ask. “Why, teacher, have you chosen to come live here in our country and to teach here when you could have lived in America?” That is the question some of you probably have thought about asking me but you haven’t yet asked me, correct? Well, if case you are curious, I’ll tell you why.
Background: The first time I came to Thailand was back in 1983. I was 5 years old. I came to Thailand with my parents. We lived for 3 years in Nong Hoi. My father was a manager at boarding school of 500 children and my mother was the only nurse. Since I was very young, I really didn’t know anything so I just tagged along with my parents. I had fun because I got to play with many children at the hostel and yes I learned to speak Thai. Like most children, I picked up the language rather quickly. It was a good life. I had a good experience when I first lived in Thailand.
Problem: The second time I came to Thailand was back in 1992 with my parents. I was 16 years old. This time I was older. I had no fun. My first year was miserable because I couldn’t go to school for one year caused by visa problem. I stayed home watching TV but I had lost my Thai. I couldn’t pick up the language quickly compared to when I was a boy. Because I couldn’t go to school and have a normal life like other children, I didn’t like Thailand. It was a bad experience. I had missed the lifestyle I had in America. I wanted to go back to America. Finally, after 3 years living in Thailand as a teenager, I went back to America alone to live there. My parents continued to live here (and as of today, they have lived here for 19 years).
Resolution: Time passed. After 11 years in America and after I received my bachelor’s and master’s degree, it was time for me to decide what I was going to do next. Do I want to continue living and teaching in America or do I want to come back to be close to my family again here in Thailand? I thought, if I choose to come back, then I would have to relearn Thai and adjust to the Thai customs and manners again. That won’t be easy, I thought. Huum? What do I do?
Perhaps what made my decision easy was I had lived in America too long. Like most typical Americans, I wanted change. I wanted be in a new environment, in a new society, in a new culture, and experiencing a different kind of lifestyle. I decided to come back to Thailand. This time around—unlike the 2nd time—I was prepared to encounter the challenges of adjusting to a foreign culture. I studied Thai at Payap University for one year now. I listen to the news in Thai to understand the current local-national affairs. I do research on the mindset of Thai people on questions I have about them so that I understand “Thai-ness.”
Conclusion: Now, sometimes Thai people think I am a Thai. That means when I go to some places, Thai people do not charge me like they would to foreigners. I tell them, ผม อยู่ที่ ประเทศไทยนาน แล้ว ผม เป็น คน ไทย แล้ว ไม่ ใช่ หรือ. I get smiles from people’s face when I say that. Perhaps what I like the most about living here in Thailand is the opportunity to teach CMU students. I love being around university students; they make me feel young.
Comment: When I die here in Thailand, my request is you bury me here. But if I die in another country, it is OK if my body is buried elsewhere but I want my heart buried here in your country.