Spotlight

Sweet memories

By Tatat Bunnag and Suwitcha Chaiyong

Daughters and sons share moments with mom

August 12 is always a special day in Thailand. Besides celebrating Her Majesty the Queen�s birthday, it�s the day we pay tribute to the person who always gives us unconditional love, through magic moments and tough times � Mom.

Most people have cherished memories of their moms, so don�t keep yours to yourself on Mother�s Day.

Student Weekly recently asked some grateful offspring to share their favourite mom moments.

�My mother has a great sense of humour. She easily loses her temper, but then always cools down quickly. She�s usually mad at me when I�m messy or when I procrastinate.

�My work schedule is erratic, but I always pay attention to Mother�s Day and Mom�s birthday. I usually take her to dinner or buy her presents.�

Chantavit Dhanasevi (Ter), 25, actor and singer

�My mother is definitely the best person in my life. My dad passed away many years ago, but my mother never made me feel that I was lacking anything. She has always been there

for me.�

Thiyaporn Panikbutr, 22, event organizer

�Our family is poor, and my mother has to work hard to support us. I�m glad that I can earn money to help her out. I don�t need Mother�s Day to show my mom how grateful I am. Whenever it feels right, I buy her flowers and wai to her.

�When I don�t have to work on Mother�s Day, I visit her in our home town. If I can�t visit, I always call.�

Chalermpol Tikumpornteerawong (Jack), 19, actor

�Many years ago, I wanted to do something special for Mother�s Day. On the way home from school, I bought some flowers from the market. It wasn�t the most beautiful bouquet, because I couldn�t afford much at the time.

�I left the flowers beside my mom�s bed before she got home. She came to my bedroom later that night smiling, saying how much she appreciated the gift.�

Rangsit Peangsakul, 20, college student

�My mom teaches me how to paint. I�m very thankful when she teaches me artistic stuff like that.

�I also love doing athletic things with Mom because I like spending time with her. We especially like playing badminton together.

�I love you, Mom. Happy Mother�s Day!�

Werachai Jongthanayut, 18, student

�When I was younger, I didn�t get along with Mom so well. She always seemed to preach to me. [Laughs.]

�Now I realise that everything she did was because she loves me and wants the best for me.�

Pitchanan Janyaboonlart, 22, college student

�My mother is cool. She never earned a diploma, but she encouraged all her children to graduate with bachelor�s degrees.

�I never forget Mother�s Day. I always call and chat with her on that day. I feel jealous when I see other people hanging out with their moms. Talking to Mom on the phone always makes me feel better.�

Thinnakorn Phuengtarawee (Ningnong), 25, frontman of Pancake

�Mom is my hero. I can talk to her about any problem I have. She�s thoughtful, but she never makes decisions for me. She just tells me what might happen with each option.

�My mother�s birthday is August 11, so we celebrate it with Mother�s Day. When I was young, I wrote poems for her. Now I take Mom out for dinner and buy her presents. But Mom is happy just spending time with her kids.�

Pratya Kammuang (Keng), 27, Playground bassist

	unconditional (adj): without any conditions or limits cherished (adj): (of a hope or a pleasant feeling) that is kept in your mind for a long time procrastinate (v): to delay doing something that you should do, usually because you do not want to do it erratic (adj): not following any plan or regular pattern lack (v): to not have enough of something bouquet (n): a bunch of flowers arranged in an attractive way so that it can be carried in a ceremony or presented as a gift appreciate (v): to be grateful for something that somebody has done athletic (adj): connected with sports preach (v): to give somebody advice on morals, behaviour, etc., especially in a way that they find annoying or boring diploma (n): a course of study at a college or university