Encounter with a Pirate: A Thailand Flood Story

Life in Bangkok can be challenging, but in 2011, the city faced one of its most daunting trials: a catastrophic flood. The suburbs of Bangkok were among the hardest hit, with water reaching neck-high levels in many areas, including my home. Evacuating by canoe became the only option as the flood waters made it impossible to leave by car or public transport. The experience was traumatic, and things looked vastly different from what I was used to.

After surrounding water levels began to recede, we arrived at a main road where larger boats could take us to higher ground. One of these larger boats was our ride, and as we waited for it to fill with passengers, I took the opportunity to survey the boatman.

This man gave off a strong, almost intimidating presence. Standing square-built, he bore a heavy black beard and bushy eyebrows over dark, piercing eyes. His sun-darkened, scarred skin was adorned with numerous tattoos on his arms, neck, and chest, suggesting a life lived at sea. This initial impression made him appear quite ominous, but I couldn't help but curiosity as I asked where he was from.

He was surprised by my fluency in Thai, to the point of not batting an eye, and revealed he came from the deep south of Thailand, an area infamous for its insurgency. My curiosity led me to ask about his profession, to which he hesitated before claiming he was a fisherman. His boatmates, however, found his claim humorous, and a stern glance from him silenced them. Clearly, he was the leader of this makeshift crew.

When I probed further about his presence in Bangkok, he explained that they were there due to the flood. Southerners, he asserts, are adept at surviving in such conditions, and while everyone had a part to play in the effort, it was his crew who were specifically helping residents evacuate. They had been running the boats almost non-stop for several days, so the water recurred.

Amidst their help, an unexpected act of kindness caught me off guard. As people disembarked, they refused payment except for some fruit. When it was my turn, I complimented him, calling him a hero and a superhero of kindness. It was the only time I saw him smile.

The events unfolded right before my eyes, watched over by my policeman husband. It was he who revealed that he had seen a look of acknowledgment exchange between the boatman and another person on the boat, despite their respective professions. Yet, in the aftermath of such a chaotic and devastating event, they put aside their differences for the common good.

That day, facing the ordeal together, I realized the stories behind people's actions can often be more intriguing and valuable than the stories we tell ourselves. The Thai floods not only brought communities together but also revealed the depths of human nature in the face of calamity.