Thursday April 03, 2008Photo and Text by KEM ISSARA
Posted on Bangkok Post
Given its proximity to the border it's not surprising that Ko Chang, the popular tourist destination in Trat, attracts a large number of migrant workers from Cambodia. I took this picture late one afternoon in mid-March on Hat Sai Khao, the most developed beach on the island.
These Khmer youths and their parents stroll along the strand after dark selling laser pointers, flashing pop-up toys and scary-looking headbands that light up. As they wait for nightfall they often kill time by kicking a football around.
A Thai teenager, having rented out all 12 of his air-beds and seeing how much fun the boys were having, asked if he could join in.
Fifteen minutes into the match, two young tourists, a guy and a gal, got bored being mere onlookers and invited themselves to the "party". They simply walked over, pointed at the ball and then at themselves and, after receiving a few nods of approval, teamed up with the Thai kid. A few minutes later a couple of teenagers, both female, joined in. To even things up, the farang boy changed sides, joining forces with the Cambodians.
The game ended about 40 minutes later. And the winning team was, of course, the predominantly female team.
These Khmer youths and their parents stroll along the strand after dark selling laser pointers, flashing pop-up toys and scary-looking headbands that light up. As they wait for nightfall they often kill time by kicking a football around.
A Thai teenager, having rented out all 12 of his air-beds and seeing how much fun the boys were having, asked if he could join in.
Fifteen minutes into the match, two young tourists, a guy and a gal, got bored being mere onlookers and invited themselves to the "party". They simply walked over, pointed at the ball and then at themselves and, after receiving a few nods of approval, teamed up with the Thai kid. A few minutes later a couple of teenagers, both female, joined in. To even things up, the farang boy changed sides, joining forces with the Cambodians.
The game ended about 40 minutes later. And the winning team was, of course, the predominantly female team.
1 comment:
I smiled with happiness when I read this article. This is how things should be. Khmer, Thai, and whoever play together.
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