This is the time of the progress of technology, information consumption, and globalization, including admiration of material values. We can say that it's really the time of “Materialism” and we have to be apprehensive about it.
None can deny the nice customs and cultures of Thailand, which are unique and admired for all to see. Not only the kindness, mercy and courtesy of Thai people, but also the respect for adults and attention to doing nice things; all are most attractive to foreign visitors.
The inflow of western culture and many other things to the country have changed the Thai lifestyle a lot, both in adults and youth who cannot earn their living by themselves. We see that they spend much money on luxuries such as mobile telephones that seem very important in everyone's daily life. Youth can go out at night to participate in the nightlife easily without adult concern or advice, especially if the adults work hard and don't have time for their children. There are many problems among youth and they are increasing much faster than before.
I knew pretty little girl named “Fai”. She was an attractive, mild mannered young girl whom I watched which the admiration. When she was in Grade 7, she was still nice and lovely and did nice things all the time. When she was in Grade 8, she turned into another person. She was often absent from class, looked pale and also her clothes were a bit dirty. What happened to her?
The advisor met her many times and she showed a little improvement. I knew she was trying to change but she couldn't change immediately. I had a chance to talk to her and after that I knew where she lived and who she lived with. She lived with her cousin who worked hard and didn't have time to look after her. Her parents were working in Bangkok and they sent her a small allowance but she had many expenses. At the same time, she had a boyfriend and she tried to go out at night. Her cousin knew, so she told her not to out again at night. Fai couldn't accept that, so she decided to leave the house and stayed with her elder friend who was studying at the other college nearby.
This is the beginning of her troubles
First, the elder friend took very good care of her; she gave Fai some money and some nice clothes, and she persuaded Fai to participate in the night life. Fai told me that she helped the elder friend by taking the friends of her elder friend out to meet some men occasionally at different times in different places. She told her adviser and I everything she did. We told her what was right and wrong. She accepted it but still couldn't change her behavior. The adviser tried to meet her cousin but failed.
Then she got into trouble. Fai needed some money so she fell into a trap by meeting some men herself instead of the other girls. She spent the money on luxuries she needed. She told me openly that if she had not done such a thing, she would not have a mobile telephone and beautiful clothes like others girls.
I invited the cousin to meet us at school but she tried to avoid us and when she came, she was uncooperative. Her answer was always, “Leave her one if shedoesn't want to be a good girl.” I felt very upset when I heard that. We tried to contact Fai's parents but they couldn't come because of their work in Bangkok.
Fai was absent from school very often. The adviser and I tried to follow up but it was in vain. And of course, attending class was one reason that she didn't want to come to school: every time she came and met the teachers, they always complained about her absence and asked for the assignments they gave to their students. The teachers talked to her because they cared for her but Fai thought she was being scolded. She came to school but sometimes didn't attend classes: the only thing she loved was the pleasure of driving around the town, buying things she wanted. The lovely innocent and bright-eyed girl was gone. The Fai whom I now met was a rough girl but she listened to what I said; she was still mild mannered and always said she would try but failed.
I still followed up Fai's attendance and then we agreed to make regular appointments. Fai had to meet me every day at 8.00 a.m., noon and after school. Fai wrote what she did in her diary and gave it to me every Friday. She did it well and I saw that she was trying to improve. I was very glad and I admired and encouraged her every time we met. The adviser and I met her cousin at home and this time she helped us.
It took nearly 2 months. Fai looked happier. It was because of our meetings every day and she told me more about her daily life. She kept writing. Fai received nice care from her cousin. She knew that there was somebody who loved her and listened to her and she was also ready to help. Fai was not afraid of going to see the teachers and tried to do the assignments. The adviser tried to help her as well. Fai was an intelligent girl so it was easier for her to learn. When she took more care of herself, she got more love, kindness, understanding and encouragement from persons around her, and so Fai succeeded in her studying.
I hope that the experiences she got and the sincere feedback the teachers gave her are things that Fai will keep them in her heart's drawer so that she can draw them out to use whenever or whatever she wants. It will be the best reminder for her to behave in the right way forever.
