Yesterday, Today, Tommorow.
Yesterday.
After 102 years Saiburi has separated from Kingdom of Siam, after 53 years of Malaya independent and after 47 years of establishment of Malaysia, our Bumiputera status are still; in debate. Bumiputera: the son of the soil. Our ancestors have occupy this soil for more than a thousand year. We are not just Sam-Sam race who are migrated from Kingdom of Siam to occupy Saiburi. Long before Srivijaya kingdom, way long before Nakhorn Srithammarat Kingdom, we are Siam-Asli or Aboriginal Siamese ( http://suttiporn.blogspot.com/ ) who've lived on this soil for thousands year along side with Semang and Sakai. And yet, our status as the children of this soil; is still in debate or in more accurate words; still far from reality. Much worse, we sometime just known as Malaysia- born Thai.
What went wrong, I wonder. What have refrain us from enjoy this privileged, what have stop us to claim our birthright? Even we are; rightfully deserve it when our ancestors opt to become the citizen of this country over Siam 102 years ago. What went terribly wrong? Is that because there are no Siamese lawyer or there are no Siamese minister in this country? Or because we are a peaceful race and too comfortable with what we currently having and we never unite to fight for our right? Or it's just simply it is because of our ignorance? We care more about personal gain more than Siamese right. In so doing, we will pay a major price. Or our negligence of our history rob us our right? Or, we're so focused on instantaneous gratification like; new 'balai raya' or new 'jalan tar' before PRU often become long term problem? Like what Michelangelo said,"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it" I don't know. I'm not a politician or an elected senator to represent Siamese people in the parliament. I'm just a cook with only SPM education, it's just too much for me to comprehend.
Today
But in all honesty, in a population of 70,000 people, and after more than a thousand year our ancestors live on this soil, most people from other race in this country don't even know that we are the citizen of this country. Much worse, they don't even know that we are exist! I remember few years back, when I haven't change my ic from Kad Pengenalan Bermutu Tinggi to Mykad when the dateline is approaching, I was stopped by a policeman in a road block. When he see a peculiar name in my ic, he ask me,"Orang apa ni?" Then I answered, "orang Siam." Then, he warned me if I don't change my ic soon, he will 'halau' me 'balik' Thailand. As a warganegara (and MAYBE a Bumiputera) of this country I was felt insulted and shock! If you think that is worse, do you know what is worse? Most of the Siamese people don't even know our own history. Normally they can't answer a simple question when other race ask about our origin and how we ended up in this country. Sorry,but true. If we don't even know ourselves, how you expect other people know us? But, who to blame.
Neither I'm expressing my ingratitude nor I'm fervently denounce my own race and my own country. Despite some difficulties, I love Malaysia the dearest. The point is, in the population of 70,000 people we still can't find one person who is good enough to lead us forward, to be known by other people. So our children don't have to tick the 'dan lain-lain' box as their race when they fill the form to apply to enroll to the university. The question is, what we can do, today, so our children and our grandchildren will live in a better social status than we currently living? We need to start something, with great sense of urgency! That is simply means, we need to do something now. The best way to predict the future is to create it TODAY!
I still have a dream
I say to you, my friends, so even though we face the great difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deep rooted in a young boy's soul who used to sing, 'Saya Anak Malaysia', by Dr. Sam, with great pride and deep love for this country. I have a dream that one day this nation will granted what is rightfully ours. This is our hope. This is the faith that I'm leaving Kuala Lumpur after 15 years and go back to the north with. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to stand up for our children's right together, knowing that we will finally recognize as; 'the children of this soil.'
I still have a dream.
But today I dream as a practical man who believe in Buddha philosophy, 'attahi' attano natho.' I'm a cook, who make a living and build my dream base on what I can grab and what I can hold to. Dreaming without action, it's merely stating a preference saying, "I'm interested in having this happen, if I don't have to do anything." That's not Siamese spirit! It's a weak prayer made with out the faith to launch it.
I still have a dream.
But we can't live in the political delusional any more. Sometime enough is really, enough. We can't wait any longer. Bumiputera or not we have to move forward or at least find a way to move forward. If we can't find a way, we must make one. If we notice our action in the past is not work out, we must change our approach.Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is what Albert Einstein call Insanity. We must do what we can, with what we have, right where we are, using whatever lives gives us along the way. But we must decide, to find a way no matter what! If our children can't get into the IPTA because we are not under the Bumi's quota and we can't afford them to go to IPTS. We must create a new form of education. So we can develops our strengths, skills, and innovative capacities and therefore we can continue to contribute more to this country's development in our own way, the Siamese way. Ask not what this country can do for us, but we must ask ourselves what we can contribute to this country. We must sow before we can reap. Only with the plan of that size we can develop ourselves and our race. Because our wellness is depend greatly on this country's prosperity. We cannot walk alone.
I was born into under privilege environment and because of my unfortunate circumstances, (which is I never regret) I never get the chance to go to the university. Despite my lack of understanding of what they've been taught on that menara gading, I still believe university is the best place for us to develop our seed of greatness for our future generation. So, whatever I will say, just don't misinterpret that I'm undermine the importance of university's education and I'm promoting sekolah menengah drop out or I'm encouraging our young boys and girls not to go to the university. We must go, when we have opportunity. What I'm trying to say is, if we can't enroll to the university under any circumstances, we shouldn't settle far less than what we potentially capable of. Within every adversity is the seed of an equal or greater opportunity or advantage. We must not stop educated and develop ourselves in our own way. Because seed of greatness and opportunity may truly come in disguise. If we miss that opportunity, maybe we meant to plant our seeds of greatness in our own way. We must take every setback as a spur to greater effort, we must look upon temporary defeat as a signpost that says "STOP, go this way instead." Because the education is not only what you can get in the university. Again, please don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that university education is important, even though I never been there, I know is important. I'm just saying that, we must plan something else rather than just wait for the Bumiputera status for our children. I'm just saying that, hospitality, culinary, entrepreneurship is also a form of education. We must execute it rightly to turn this into outstanding professional.
I still have a dream.
I still have a dream, but today I dream as an awaken man. In my previous blog I've stated clearly what is our strengths and our critical success factors. We maybe lose our privilege to be Bumiputera, but we still have our right to be different. That difference is our privilege, that privilege is our genetic advantages; that advantages is our area of excellence. We can achieve our full potential only by throwing our whole heart into developing talents in this area. And why not develop a tangible and concrete plan to become excellent in the areas that help us the most? We must focus in the field that will bring Siamese race to rise even greater height. To drive ourselves forward, we must fully utilize our strengths and we must develop it in excellent fashion. To become a great race we must specialize in something. We must single mindedly focus our energies and our resources in the area where we can dominate. We should withdraw ourselves from the area that we don't have competitive advantage, the area that we can't contribute significantly for this country.
'Saiburi United Project' is a big dream. We won't achieve the dream of this magnitude just by being interested. We must committed to that goal, we must strive constantly and consistently to that magnificent direction together. I believe life is constantly test our level of commitment and life's greatest reward are reserved for those who demonstrated a never-ending commitment to act until they can achieve. This level of resolve can move Gunung Jerai, but it must be constant and consistent.
This is our opportunity to leave our mark, creating a legacy that make true difference in Siamese lives. You want to predict what will happen to our society future? The answer is, it depend on what you are creating today.
In our community today, especially in the Facebook, I've read a lot of pretty instense argument in our Siamese persatuans, under so many different name. Despite our noble intention, we fail to conduct ourselves with knowledge, integrity and discipline when we debate sensitive issues. We fail to choose the words wisely to make our desires known. Rather than we use the power of words to move ourselves emotionally, to challenge and embolden our courage, and to strengthen our spirit of brotherhood, we fall into the fatal trap, we use the power of words to destroy rather than to build, to divide rather than to bridge our small community. Our failure to express and share our opinion with others, our failure to debate these issue with integrity and in the spirit of brotherhood, our failure to improve our vocabulary is pulling us in the direction that we wish to avoid. We raises the intensity of these negative conversations to; making the provoking, cheap,rude,contempt,frivolous, offensive, and above all unconstructive statements. It's not just destructive but it's also denigrating our moral's value. This unconscious poisonous mix doses choice of words, it's represent our mentallity not just as individual but, of our community at large. Like the old Malay proverb; 'kerana pulut santan binasa, kerana Facebook badan binasa' and 'kerana nila setitik, rosak susu sebelanga.'
The truth is, it is not the critic who count, not the man who points out the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The only way you can tell what a person really believes is by their actions, not words. It is not what you say, or what you intend, or what you wish or hope or pray for, but only what you do that counts. Your true values and beliefs are only and always expressed in your behavior. One person who will take action is worth ten brilliant talkers who do nothing. The credit are belong to man and woman who are actually in the arena. Who have and demonstrate the great devotion to spend themselves in a worthy course. The one who teach our children Thai language in the temple with no salary, the one who volunteer in the religious ceremony, Phra' ajarn who are teaching Dharma, the people like my late dad who, despite his adversities and live in poverty for most of his life but because of his knowledge and his character he became one of the most respectful person in our society, and the peoples who strive for great triumph of high achievement for themselves, their community, and their country.
500 thousands ringgit is not too much to ask in this country. I refuse to believe in the country of great wealth and just unveiled an ambitious 10-years investments of US$444 billion (RM 1.3 trillion) to power the nation towards becoming a high income economy by 2020, half a million is too much to ask for the project of this size of benefit. What we must do is we need to plant this seeds of idea in a form of massive action, this germinal idea will have potentiality of bringing forth the bigger things; entrepreneurship, hospitality and tourism. 500 thousand ringgit is not too much to ask. But how we can raise the fund of this much? I believe some where out there, there are a lot of Siamese people who are influential and prominent in our society. Will some one step forward? So then we can start to walk rather than just talk. For now I don't know. But like I said in my previous blog; I will work valiantly, with sweat and blood. The worse, if I fail, I'll fail while trying daringly.
Tomorrow
Maybe one day, when we add great value to ourselves, so it's reinforce the value to our race, therefore we can expand our capacities to contribute to this country's development. When we stop pursuing something that we lack control of, and start moving toward the accomplishment of something that is more important to us, on one fine day in near future, Bumi status will come to us. Maybe, just maybe, on that day we are no longer need it. Because even without the Bumi status, with the spirit of rock solid brotherhood we've overcome a great adversity and won through, in spite of the odds. And it's makes orang Siam is a highly competitive race. And IF this country finally grant our children the Bumi status, is just commentary. Then, only then, Siamese is truly a great race!
The question is when? The answer is; when you want it to be?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
I Have A Dream.
Saiburi United Project.
I've knocked many doors, but so far few are answered, very few. But if I continue knocking, I convinced I can open door just one small crack, maybe reluctant people will walk in, maybe not today, maybe not immediately, but this seed will be planted and another soul will be pointed in the direction of our race greatness' destiny.
But at the same time I also been bless, not all people laugh at my dream, but some are very generous people with a beautiful soul. Who are so far help the most. Not in material object, but in something that is more precious, their sincere prayer, their beautiful words, their encouragement to keep me fight for this dream. In the process of pursuing this dream I've came across an even greater gift, a gift of friendship, a gift of value beyond compare. Thank you so much, I'll be eternally grateful for that.
This is a very big dream I understand, I'm pursuing a goal against heavy odds. Too big for me to carry this responsibility alone. That's why I invite you all to join, because this is our dream, all of us. You and me, if we work together we'll possess enormous capacity to accomplish it if we really believe in. Our small community demanding great personal commitment and sacrifice from the chosen. You and me, we are the chosen one. The question is, will you answer that calling? Do you want to be safe and good, or you want to take chance with me and make our race great? This is crucial, the key is to understand what our race CAN be the best in the country at, and equally important, what we CANNOT be the best at- not what we "want" to be best at. And if we understand that, we can channel our energy, money, and time to be the best at something. And for me this is the best field that give our best shot.
For 15 years, through out my work, from wait the table to bar tender, to kitchen helper, butcher and executive chef, through out my culinary journey and travel through out Thailand. I've gain enough knowledge and experience. Cooking for me is not just a job, but it's get me out from poverty, it's give me sense of purpose, it's offer me greater opportunities to expand, learn, grow, and share this knowledge with others in a meaningful and enjoyable way, create value for myself and others and above all it's teach me to dare to dream, it's give my soul wings to fly!
For 15 years I've persist through my life with a great struggle so long alone, with an unwavering faith that someday I'll be rewarded. As a Siamese, Thailand people always see us as a Malaysian, or "khon Thai Malay", that is what they call us. To work with Thailand people, they sometime so reluctant to share their knowledge. Their hostility is often torn my stout heart, their futility of words is a torment to my soul. And in the state of exhausted mind, despondency, and mentally worn out, I've been thinking to quit; many times! Despite all that, despite my weakness, my Siamese soul never been defeated. Nobody could rob me the conviction that Siamese is a great race, that give me the strength in my own way. Although I am a typical loner in my daily life, my consciousness is belonging to the invisible community of those who strive for the greatness of Siamese people has preserved me from feeling isolated. I believe that, somewhere out there there is some one who are sharing my path. If I keeps walking, universe will brought us together some how. I believe life deliberately test us to train, shape and prepare us for something bigger. I keeps persevere with a faith that this unearned suffering is redemptive; and my dream is to redeem my token of suffering with better social condition for my community.
I'll go back to Saiburi, to found a new way of life. For 102 years since we've separate from kingdom of Siam, we keep our Thai-ness way of life well. We still go to Thai school after formal school, learned Thai culture, we are living in very Thai way of life. And if we add cooking to our culture and teach our new generation of boys and girl, our Thai character our "kfarm pen Thai" will be complete, will be whole. And the most important thing is, they can fully utilize Thai language knowledge because, the recipes book are in Thai. This is the area that we can use our strength into practice. This is our advantage, this is our privilege. As a Siamese we possess our own unique form of greatness, now it's the time to turn that into an outstanding professional. What we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely function of our true capability. It's more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are. Today, I challenge you, my fellow Siamese, to change your belief system from, "I can never succeed because I'm a Siamese." to, "Because I'm a Siamese, I have resources available to me that no other could never dream of!" Belief have the awesome potential to create and destroy. I believe you are reading my blog because deep down you've decided you will not settle for less than the best you know you're capable of. Then learn to choose the belief that empower you; create convictions that drive you in the direction of the destiny that calls to the highest within you. Your family, your community, and your country deserve no less.
I have a dream, despite of all difficulties and limitations that I'm facing today, I still have a dream. I dream someday in near future, our Siamese boys and girls from Kangar, Beseri, Kubang Tiga, Ayer Itam, Padang Sera, Kubang Chenok, Jitra, Lampam, Naka, Titi Akar, Padang Peliang, Paya Mak Ison, Kura, Kalai, Begia, Ceruk Padang, Sirako, Tas, Baling, Tasek, Kota Bahru, Tumpat, Jungkau, will work under one roof in the name of brotherhood, in the name of Saiburi fighter. With a great determination and commitment to make Siamese race great.
I have a dream.
I have a dream, someday the best Thai chef in this country will not be judge by their country of origin but the content of their character, creativity, talent, skill, knowledge and hard work and craftsmanship. I have a dream someday, a Siamese chef will be recognize, that they are not the second best from the best Thai chef from Thailand. I know not what course other may take; but for me this is the path that I will walk. I simply wouldn't accept any other possibility!
This is a new way of life. In order to do that, we have to leave behind the old and go in quest of the seed of idea, a germinal idea that will have potentiality of bringing forth the new thing. Saiburi United Project, or 'Khronggarn Saiburi Samakkhi', is not just a restaurant's project, but also cooking school, activity center, training center, under one roof. To train our next generation to become competent with Thailand chef. But we don't have to depend on Thai people for the knowledge, cos what I have with me is the wealth of knowledge and experiences and I think that 15 years of experiences in restaurant business and through out my travel to all over Thailand. I'm thoroughly prepare to share this precious knowledge.
I decided many years ago that the most important way I could spend my life would be to invest it in something that would outlast it. I decided that somehow I must contribute in some way to our society that would live on long after I was gone.
But of course it's need a lot of money, (around half a million to be accurate) the money that I don't have, the money that I not yet have. But I'll work hard for that. I don't need your money, I just need your support. And of course with only spm education and come from under privilege family my resource and contact is very limited. All I want to do here us voice out my intention for the benefit of our next generation. And if you have any field of expertise to help, any kind of help are welcome. So, for the benefit of our next generation, SAIBURI UNITED PROJECT will happen sooner rather than later.
This decision that you and me make today will change the course of direction of our race. Of course not just by cooking alone, but the history of it, of Siamese people, the history of the food and above all, we will refine the way we cook and automatically we will refine the words that we are using in everyday life. Because Siamese people only have a few way, or a few words to describe cooking method. Compare to Thai words, it's have more words. To become an effective cook the introduction to this new method of cooking is crucial. Because as a Siamese, we don't live in a culture that puts a great premium on precise communication. It maybe be one of our biggest cultural failing. Language reflects a society's need. An Eskimo has several dozen words for "snow". Why? Because to be able to make fine distinctions between different kinds of snow. There is snow you can fall through, snow you can built igloo out of, snow you can run your dog in, snow you can eat, snow
that ready to melt. To become an effective cook, and a competitive race, same rules apply.
I see visions in my head, with a beautiful picture, all the sounds, sights, smells, tastes, vividly real, a vision of the future in all it's glory, and if we don't get them together, nobody else will. Nobody! Why not? You are alive, you are creative, you can creating, and the most important fact of all; you are a Siamese! It is a special blessing to belong among those who can devote their best energies to creates a new culture, it's timeless thing. How happy and grateful I am for having granted this blessing, which bestows upon me a large capacity to learn, from language to run a restaurant and cooking skill. It's a gift, a wonderful privilege. And yet it's will be more meaningful if I can share it with our next generation, it's doesn't counts much how great we do as individual or how much money we have in the bank account. If we can't progress as a Siamese race, it's doesn't counts that much.
Of course the purpose, the real purpose of this project is not to make money. But food industry is blooming, people have to eat no matter what. And good food is become more and more rare to find nowadays. The main purpose of this project is to equip our next generation with valuable skill, so few years from now this country doesn't depend too much on Thailand human power source to fill the need of man power in this industry. And of course even though the main idea of this project is not to make money. But people, this is food industry! We can make some money, to keep this project going and we can live a comfortable life doing it. And above all don't just live life, but be passion about it. You only live once, go out be excited, if the path is not there, be a pathfinder, make one! And this is a brand new path we going to pave, it's not going to be easy, it's never will. But if you and I can work together, unity make a lot of things possible.
Will today be the day you finally decide that Siamese people are a race that is much more than we've demonstrating? Will today be the day, our turning points, the defining moment in our lives when we change direction and embark on our great journey? Will today be the day you decide for once and for all that it's not where we start out but the decisions we make about where we're determined to end up that matter? Will today be the day that Siamese people will fight with sweat and blood, will work valiantly; a great race who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spend ourselves in a worthy course; a great race, who, at the best, knows in the end of triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if their fail, at least fail while daring greatly; so our place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knows either victory or defeat. Will that day will come? If we are united, nothing will stop us from achieving it. We will not be
denied!
'United we stand' is maybe sounds cliché, but it's more applicable in this project more than anything.We cannot walk alone.That is the theme of this project, Saiburi; United We Stand or Saiburi; "samakkhi rao yeunyong" in Thai. It's music to my ears, it's our anthem, it's our dream, it's our vision, you and me.
I've knocked many doors, but so far few are answered, very few. But if I continue knocking, I convinced I can open door just one small crack, maybe reluctant people will walk in, maybe not today, maybe not immediately, but this seed will be planted and another soul will be pointed in the direction of our race greatness' destiny.
But at the same time I also been bless, not all people laugh at my dream, but some are very generous people with a beautiful soul. Who are so far help the most. Not in material object, but in something that is more precious, their sincere prayer, their beautiful words, their encouragement to keep me fight for this dream. In the process of pursuing this dream I've came across an even greater gift, a gift of friendship, a gift of value beyond compare. Thank you so much, I'll be eternally grateful for that.
This is a very big dream I understand, I'm pursuing a goal against heavy odds. Too big for me to carry this responsibility alone. That's why I invite you all to join, because this is our dream, all of us. You and me, if we work together we'll possess enormous capacity to accomplish it if we really believe in. Our small community demanding great personal commitment and sacrifice from the chosen. You and me, we are the chosen one. The question is, will you answer that calling? Do you want to be safe and good, or you want to take chance with me and make our race great? This is crucial, the key is to understand what our race CAN be the best in the country at, and equally important, what we CANNOT be the best at- not what we "want" to be best at. And if we understand that, we can channel our energy, money, and time to be the best at something. And for me this is the best field that give our best shot.
For 15 years, through out my work, from wait the table to bar tender, to kitchen helper, butcher and executive chef, through out my culinary journey and travel through out Thailand. I've gain enough knowledge and experience. Cooking for me is not just a job, but it's get me out from poverty, it's give me sense of purpose, it's offer me greater opportunities to expand, learn, grow, and share this knowledge with others in a meaningful and enjoyable way, create value for myself and others and above all it's teach me to dare to dream, it's give my soul wings to fly!
For 15 years I've persist through my life with a great struggle so long alone, with an unwavering faith that someday I'll be rewarded. As a Siamese, Thailand people always see us as a Malaysian, or "khon Thai Malay", that is what they call us. To work with Thailand people, they sometime so reluctant to share their knowledge. Their hostility is often torn my stout heart, their futility of words is a torment to my soul. And in the state of exhausted mind, despondency, and mentally worn out, I've been thinking to quit; many times! Despite all that, despite my weakness, my Siamese soul never been defeated. Nobody could rob me the conviction that Siamese is a great race, that give me the strength in my own way. Although I am a typical loner in my daily life, my consciousness is belonging to the invisible community of those who strive for the greatness of Siamese people has preserved me from feeling isolated. I believe that, somewhere out there there is some one who are sharing my path. If I keeps walking, universe will brought us together some how. I believe life deliberately test us to train, shape and prepare us for something bigger. I keeps persevere with a faith that this unearned suffering is redemptive; and my dream is to redeem my token of suffering with better social condition for my community.
I'll go back to Saiburi, to found a new way of life. For 102 years since we've separate from kingdom of Siam, we keep our Thai-ness way of life well. We still go to Thai school after formal school, learned Thai culture, we are living in very Thai way of life. And if we add cooking to our culture and teach our new generation of boys and girl, our Thai character our "kfarm pen Thai" will be complete, will be whole. And the most important thing is, they can fully utilize Thai language knowledge because, the recipes book are in Thai. This is the area that we can use our strength into practice. This is our advantage, this is our privilege. As a Siamese we possess our own unique form of greatness, now it's the time to turn that into an outstanding professional. What we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely function of our true capability. It's more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are. Today, I challenge you, my fellow Siamese, to change your belief system from, "I can never succeed because I'm a Siamese." to, "Because I'm a Siamese, I have resources available to me that no other could never dream of!" Belief have the awesome potential to create and destroy. I believe you are reading my blog because deep down you've decided you will not settle for less than the best you know you're capable of. Then learn to choose the belief that empower you; create convictions that drive you in the direction of the destiny that calls to the highest within you. Your family, your community, and your country deserve no less.
I have a dream, despite of all difficulties and limitations that I'm facing today, I still have a dream. I dream someday in near future, our Siamese boys and girls from Kangar, Beseri, Kubang Tiga, Ayer Itam, Padang Sera, Kubang Chenok, Jitra, Lampam, Naka, Titi Akar, Padang Peliang, Paya Mak Ison, Kura, Kalai, Begia, Ceruk Padang, Sirako, Tas, Baling, Tasek, Kota Bahru, Tumpat, Jungkau, will work under one roof in the name of brotherhood, in the name of Saiburi fighter. With a great determination and commitment to make Siamese race great.
I have a dream.
I have a dream, someday the best Thai chef in this country will not be judge by their country of origin but the content of their character, creativity, talent, skill, knowledge and hard work and craftsmanship. I have a dream someday, a Siamese chef will be recognize, that they are not the second best from the best Thai chef from Thailand. I know not what course other may take; but for me this is the path that I will walk. I simply wouldn't accept any other possibility!
This is a new way of life. In order to do that, we have to leave behind the old and go in quest of the seed of idea, a germinal idea that will have potentiality of bringing forth the new thing. Saiburi United Project, or 'Khronggarn Saiburi Samakkhi', is not just a restaurant's project, but also cooking school, activity center, training center, under one roof. To train our next generation to become competent with Thailand chef. But we don't have to depend on Thai people for the knowledge, cos what I have with me is the wealth of knowledge and experiences and I think that 15 years of experiences in restaurant business and through out my travel to all over Thailand. I'm thoroughly prepare to share this precious knowledge.
I decided many years ago that the most important way I could spend my life would be to invest it in something that would outlast it. I decided that somehow I must contribute in some way to our society that would live on long after I was gone.
But of course it's need a lot of money, (around half a million to be accurate) the money that I don't have, the money that I not yet have. But I'll work hard for that. I don't need your money, I just need your support. And of course with only spm education and come from under privilege family my resource and contact is very limited. All I want to do here us voice out my intention for the benefit of our next generation. And if you have any field of expertise to help, any kind of help are welcome. So, for the benefit of our next generation, SAIBURI UNITED PROJECT will happen sooner rather than later.
This decision that you and me make today will change the course of direction of our race. Of course not just by cooking alone, but the history of it, of Siamese people, the history of the food and above all, we will refine the way we cook and automatically we will refine the words that we are using in everyday life. Because Siamese people only have a few way, or a few words to describe cooking method. Compare to Thai words, it's have more words. To become an effective cook the introduction to this new method of cooking is crucial. Because as a Siamese, we don't live in a culture that puts a great premium on precise communication. It maybe be one of our biggest cultural failing. Language reflects a society's need. An Eskimo has several dozen words for "snow". Why? Because to be able to make fine distinctions between different kinds of snow. There is snow you can fall through, snow you can built igloo out of, snow you can run your dog in, snow you can eat, snow
that ready to melt. To become an effective cook, and a competitive race, same rules apply.
I see visions in my head, with a beautiful picture, all the sounds, sights, smells, tastes, vividly real, a vision of the future in all it's glory, and if we don't get them together, nobody else will. Nobody! Why not? You are alive, you are creative, you can creating, and the most important fact of all; you are a Siamese! It is a special blessing to belong among those who can devote their best energies to creates a new culture, it's timeless thing. How happy and grateful I am for having granted this blessing, which bestows upon me a large capacity to learn, from language to run a restaurant and cooking skill. It's a gift, a wonderful privilege. And yet it's will be more meaningful if I can share it with our next generation, it's doesn't counts much how great we do as individual or how much money we have in the bank account. If we can't progress as a Siamese race, it's doesn't counts that much.
Of course the purpose, the real purpose of this project is not to make money. But food industry is blooming, people have to eat no matter what. And good food is become more and more rare to find nowadays. The main purpose of this project is to equip our next generation with valuable skill, so few years from now this country doesn't depend too much on Thailand human power source to fill the need of man power in this industry. And of course even though the main idea of this project is not to make money. But people, this is food industry! We can make some money, to keep this project going and we can live a comfortable life doing it. And above all don't just live life, but be passion about it. You only live once, go out be excited, if the path is not there, be a pathfinder, make one! And this is a brand new path we going to pave, it's not going to be easy, it's never will. But if you and I can work together, unity make a lot of things possible.
Will today be the day you finally decide that Siamese people are a race that is much more than we've demonstrating? Will today be the day, our turning points, the defining moment in our lives when we change direction and embark on our great journey? Will today be the day you decide for once and for all that it's not where we start out but the decisions we make about where we're determined to end up that matter? Will today be the day that Siamese people will fight with sweat and blood, will work valiantly; a great race who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spend ourselves in a worthy course; a great race, who, at the best, knows in the end of triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if their fail, at least fail while daring greatly; so our place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knows either victory or defeat. Will that day will come? If we are united, nothing will stop us from achieving it. We will not be
denied!
'United we stand' is maybe sounds cliché, but it's more applicable in this project more than anything.We cannot walk alone.That is the theme of this project, Saiburi; United We Stand or Saiburi; "samakkhi rao yeunyong" in Thai. It's music to my ears, it's our anthem, it's our dream, it's our vision, you and me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)