What's make a khon Thai is a khon Thai? Whether his country of origin, or his heart and soul?
As a head chef of one of the Kl's finest Thai and Indochinese restaurant, when I'm tell people I'm Thai but Kedah born. People start to question my originality, not the authenticity of my dishes, but the authenticity of my soul, whether I'm pure Thai. I want to explain to them but in the words that they're not going to understand anyway, so I've stop explaining, but I must have some accurate answer, not for anyone to understand but it's for myself. That underneath this skin, the blood that pumping my heart is pure Thai; pure Siamese to be accurate.
During my childhood, I'm growing up not so much different from Thai boys at the Thailand. I've learn to read and write Thai at the age of 7, (thanks to my dad, Khru Ik, Khru See, Khru Peng, who have devoted their life to teach me and other kids with such great deal of comitment, I'll be eternally grateful for that.) My dad force me to read Phra' Aphai Mani at the age of 11. We watch Thai tv all the time. I grew not only to listen to 'Negaraku' but also Thai national anthem. I grow up watch 'Komin', 'Kaew Nar Mar', 'Narng 12', 'Ik Kiu Sang', 'Khookarm' (Kamolchanok Kamolkhitik & Bird Thongchai), 'Bua Laeng Narm', 'Dao Prasuk' 'Mon Rak Lukthung' I've also grow up watch Thai Movie (we call it Nhang Husin at that time), get to know Mitrchai Bancha, Krung Siwillai, Naowarat, Jaruni Suksawadd, Aphiradee, Suraphong Chatree, Chathchai Praengphanit, I also gow up watch the concert of Nik Niranam, Phaijitr Aksornnarong, Phornsak Songsaeng at the 'ngarn bun'. I've also growing up not just listen to Sornphej Sornsukphan, Sayan Sanya, Yordrak Salakjai, Sodsai Roongphothorng, but also Charin Nanthanakhorn, Suraphol Sombatjareon, Chatree Srichon,Phongsri Woranuth, Chaththorng Monghkholthorng, Thoon Thorngjai, even Sarika Kingkaew.
I remember my dad and his friend watch boxing on tv to support boxer like Sod Jillada, Samart Phayak Arun, Khaosai/Khaokhor Galaxy and cheers their heart out like their relative was compete in that ring! I still can remember vividly my dad even cry when Thai national football team lose to Malaysian team at the 1989 SEA game, while Piyaphong Phiuorn still playing.
So, I'm not explaining this to anyone but myself. That 101 years ago my Kampung right now is the state of Saiburi under the king of Siam, and my ancestor maybe related to Rama 5, King Chulalongkorn himself. Or maybe, even before that, way before that back to the Sukhothai kingdom under the King Ramakhamhaeng (reign from 1279-1298).
The staff who work under me, some are from Surin, Ubon Ratchathani and Udornthani. I'm normally spend my holiday once a year at Phuket, Rayong, Koh Samet, Pattaya, Bangkok, or Udon Thani, because most of my friend and my former colleague living there.
So you tell me what's the percentage of Thai blood in this body. But as far as I'm concern, I'm pretty damn sure that I'm not less 'Thai' then my relative at the Patthalung or Yala.
For Khon Thai, or Siamese out there that same race with me, hopefully that you all can share your experience.
