Saipan’s Thai community in collective shock

Thai national Pani, who works as a housekeeper at a local hotel on Saipan, has been frantic since learning of the tragedy that has hit Thailand and other parts of South and Southeast Asia. Her family manages a small barbecue and food business along the shores of Phuket beach in Thailand—one of the worst hit sites by killer tsunamis that have already claimed more than 20,000 lives.

Pani, who has been working here on Saipan for 15 years now, has yet to hear from her family. She said she couldn’t sleep and she couldn’t help but worry about them while watching the swath of devastation that has hit Asia, including Thailand.

Wongduen Phantajaitham, who has also been on Saipan for 15 years now, was doubly troubled over how she was going to break the news to her compatriots when she first learned of the tragedy.

“I’m sad. When I saw the paper, I knew there’s something wrong,” said Wongduen. “I don’t know how to tell the Thai people. I couldn’t do anything. I am shocked.”

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Saipan’s Thai community yesterday were in collective shock over what happened to some of their countrymen, as well as other nations affected by killer tsunamis that swept through South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa Monday.

Rian “Khai” Charoenkhai, president of the Saipan Thai community, expressed his grief over the disaster that reports say have claimed at least 600 lives on Thailand and more than 20,000 across the two continents.

“I feel very, very sad. It’s the first time in our country,” he said. “The village where it happened, it was a very nice village. Very clear water. We are sorry it happened,” he said.

The Thai community on Saipan celebrated with gusto the birthday of the King Bhumipol Adulyadej of Thailand on Dec. 5 but the news of the tsunami hitting their home country hard has now made it a distant memory.

“We heard about it from the news on TV,” Khai recalled, “People in that area are very nice. Sorry it happened and it’s so sad.” Khai has been meeting with the Thai community members and discussed what they can do to help their people.

Wari, a Thai restaurateur, extends her sympathy to her people. “I feel sorry for those who died,” she said. “I also feel sorry that I don’t know what to do to help them.” Though Wari is from Bangkok, miles north of Phuket, she still feels the loss this catastrophe has brought the province.

Saipan Thai community welcomes any contribution whether cash or in kind. Donations could be coursed through Rian “Khai” Charoenkhai at tel. Nos. 287-1823, 236-8823 and 235-3787.

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On the night she first heard the news, Wongduen said she thought that it was just one of those small time foreign news. “I heard about Thailand but it was night so I didn’t pay much attention to it,” she recalled, “But the next morning when I went back to work I saw the news on TV and it was all over. That’s when I knew it was something big.”

That same day, her friend Pani paid her a visit. Her friend was troubled that her family has been caught up in the tragedy. Wongduen calmed her down and told her not to worry and they would get in touch with her family.

Wongduen couldn’t help, however, from recalling scenes she saw on CNN of ravaging waves sweeping and washing away the beach shores, tearing small buildings and stores, and dragging away cars and people. She just closed her eyes in fear as she held her friend’s hand tightly.

Thitiporn Itisaiar, another Thai woman who has been on Saipan for 17 years now, is still in shock over the incident. Also called Om, Itisaiar is married to a local and is from Ayuthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand.

“When I saw the news on CNN, I was so sad,” she related, “Not everybody knew about what happened because everybody was working.” Some of the Thai people here, according to her, do not have cable, which is why they didn’t hear about the news until now. Om, squinting, recalled seeing people swimming when the huge wave dragged them out to sea. Relating this made Om fidget in her seat. She shuddered and rubbed the goose bumps on her arms.

Both Om and Wongduen said that this is the first time such a thing happened to Thailand. “I’m 48 now and this is the first time this tragedy happened to us,” Wongduen affirmed.

Pratheep Lekmek, a maintenance worker and a carpenter was at work and didn’t know of the incident until later. His staff, Saiyan Danroraung and Rungphet Kiangkrathok, were also assisting him and were completely clueless of what was going on in the news. They didn’t have a TV at work. They were only informed via a phone call from Wongduen and Om, who told them of what had happened.

“I’m so sad. I called my family immediately,” Pratheep said. He has two sons who are still studying. This incident frightened him so much that, although his family lives far from Phuket, his heart still pounded when he heard of the news.

In the case of Rungphet, his place is just a town away from Phuket, that’s why he also sought Pratheep to allow him to call home. He learned that his family is safe in their hometown. All these men can only share was that they felt sad when they learned about it yesterday morning.

The group said they will meet with the entire Thai community to discuss further what help they can extend to the victims and their families. They will donate cash, clothing and food. (Marconi Calindas)