When I was nine, I knew that I was born in a community called "Talad Somdej" on the Thonburi side of Chao Phraya river of Bangkok. As regards my formal schooling, the only school I ever attended was the Municipal School No. 2 (Thesabal Two School) located in the temple ground of Pichaiyat Temple where I enrolled in a pre-school class. At the end of my first term, I passed examination with the 4th rank of the class. I also recalled the first book I bought was entitled "Loog Gob"( A tiny toad) which I enjoyed reading.
But my formal education was cut short at that point when World War II broke out, and I have never attended any other formal school ever since.
I am now 36 (born in the year of the Dog), having one wife, 4 sons and 2 daughters, but I could not speak Thai without Chinese accent until only 4-5 years ago. It had been difficult for me to articulate in Thai language, and some people used to complain about proficiency in Thai. So just about 3 or 4 years ago, I decided to improve my Thai in my own way, verbalizing and writing Thai, thinking that this would give me a better chance in life.
Fortunately, some well-intended people I knew were willing to help me getting my work published. I was very happy for I thought that I had something to share with other people, to acquire some new knowledge and understanding together with others. And through this process, it had made it possible for me to communicate more fluently in Thai, and to express myself more effectively by writing in Thai.
Looking back at my life, after 26 years of my obsession with drawing and painting, I devoted most of my time and energy for this quest for knowledge. Honestly, I really hoped that by indulging in this endeavour, I could enhance my intellectual capability, and I could be stronger as a person seeking for something profound, whilst being able to share and/or to acquire new knowledge with others of similar inclinations.
Some people I knew even said that I could have an opportunity to be a matured person, capable for sharing, giving, and learning with others who had lesser chance. But I said what I might be able to offer to others were too insignificant, comparing to what Chao Phraya river, the seas and the oceans, all the past and present philosophers, and other great things in the world may offer to us. Their contributions were enormous, beyond imagination – the great virtues! We were all blessed by these great virtues.
This is essentially why I thought, and I dared to struggle for something very profound, whilst being content with my humble self, refrained from taking advantage of other people, nature, and other living things. Our lives and existences should be based on mutual good intent. As for my humble self, I shall do my utmost, for something meaningful, which we could all share and could remember. I believe that we all can share this meaningful task, each making small contribution, so that mankind may progress in a right direction.
I can always remember a piece of my own writings, entitled "Making a Pile of Wood".
A child,
That child is making a pile of wood,
Into a cityscape,
Spending time
From morning to noon,
Until evening.
Then comes darkness.
Its shadow is laughing at me.
That child said aloud,
During daytime, bright light also laughed at me,
Very much the same way,
And then gone.
When Dawn arrives,
You"ll also be gone,
And come back again
Every night.
I believe that all ill intends are useless, and not worth remembering. Only good intends can keep memory fresh, and long lasting. As regards "Darkness" and "Light", the revolving "Dark" and "Light" are much more encouraging phenomenon than our real life cycle; being able to come and go, to visit and revisit, dawn to night, day and night. But our lives are totally different. If we die, do not ever hope to return.
Thus, I could only hope for a good memory, something positive for people to remember me by. And if there is anything left for me to do while I am still existing, or any opportunity for me to contribute to a good memory, kindly give me that chance!
Tang Chang
Orchard Home, Thonburi
B.E. 2512 (1969)
But my formal education was cut short at that point when World War II broke out, and I have never attended any other formal school ever since.
I am now 36 (born in the year of the Dog), having one wife, 4 sons and 2 daughters, but I could not speak Thai without Chinese accent until only 4-5 years ago. It had been difficult for me to articulate in Thai language, and some people used to complain about proficiency in Thai. So just about 3 or 4 years ago, I decided to improve my Thai in my own way, verbalizing and writing Thai, thinking that this would give me a better chance in life.
Fortunately, some well-intended people I knew were willing to help me getting my work published. I was very happy for I thought that I had something to share with other people, to acquire some new knowledge and understanding together with others. And through this process, it had made it possible for me to communicate more fluently in Thai, and to express myself more effectively by writing in Thai.
Looking back at my life, after 26 years of my obsession with drawing and painting, I devoted most of my time and energy for this quest for knowledge. Honestly, I really hoped that by indulging in this endeavour, I could enhance my intellectual capability, and I could be stronger as a person seeking for something profound, whilst being able to share and/or to acquire new knowledge with others of similar inclinations.
Some people I knew even said that I could have an opportunity to be a matured person, capable for sharing, giving, and learning with others who had lesser chance. But I said what I might be able to offer to others were too insignificant, comparing to what Chao Phraya river, the seas and the oceans, all the past and present philosophers, and other great things in the world may offer to us. Their contributions were enormous, beyond imagination – the great virtues! We were all blessed by these great virtues.
This is essentially why I thought, and I dared to struggle for something very profound, whilst being content with my humble self, refrained from taking advantage of other people, nature, and other living things. Our lives and existences should be based on mutual good intent. As for my humble self, I shall do my utmost, for something meaningful, which we could all share and could remember. I believe that we all can share this meaningful task, each making small contribution, so that mankind may progress in a right direction.
I can always remember a piece of my own writings, entitled "Making a Pile of Wood".
A child,
That child is making a pile of wood,
Into a cityscape,
Spending time
From morning to noon,
Until evening.
Then comes darkness.
Its shadow is laughing at me.
That child said aloud,
During daytime, bright light also laughed at me,
Very much the same way,
And then gone.
When Dawn arrives,
You"ll also be gone,
And come back again
Every night.
I believe that all ill intends are useless, and not worth remembering. Only good intends can keep memory fresh, and long lasting. As regards "Darkness" and "Light", the revolving "Dark" and "Light" are much more encouraging phenomenon than our real life cycle; being able to come and go, to visit and revisit, dawn to night, day and night. But our lives are totally different. If we die, do not ever hope to return.
Thus, I could only hope for a good memory, something positive for people to remember me by. And if there is anything left for me to do while I am still existing, or any opportunity for me to contribute to a good memory, kindly give me that chance!
Tang Chang
Orchard Home, Thonburi
B.E. 2512 (1969)