Story by Anjira Assavanonda
Published by Bangkok Post on5th December 2004

It was late on a Sunday afternoon when Surasak Jittasethakul, 45, turned up at Mahboonkrong Department Store to see his friends.
As usual, the shopping complex bustled with crowds and commerce. But Mr.Surasak, who is deaf, headed straight for the food centre on the sixth floor - for a redezvous he and his friends have kept for years. There, many friends, all deaf, had arrived.
They greeted each other in sign language, and smiled broadly. Those who sat far away waved their hands. Some began to eat, others were still talking.
Mr.Surasak says they have been friends a long time. Some have been coming to the Sunday reunion for more than 10 years.
"It began with a small group of deaf friends who thought of meeting once a week. We come here to meet, and talk. That's good for we share ideas and information about what has happened around us, " Mr.Surasak said.
They chose Mahboonkrong out of convenience. From a group of about 10, the number has increased to nearly 100 now. They sit around the food centre, chatting.
"Besides, there is a lot to do here - eating, shopping and watching movies. It's fun meeting each other, said Mr.Surasak.
Chatchalerm Tangniyom, 33, said he came to the gatherring because there was nothing to do at home.
"It's lonely at home. I've got nothing to do. Watching TV is boring as I can't follow (the programmes). No station, except Channel 11, provides sign language. So it's much better to get out and meet friends here," said Mr.Chatchalerm.
They talk about what's going on in the news, sport, politics.
Suwat Utamapetai, 36, is interested in current affairs. As a trader, I want toknow about the oil price hike because I have to pay more to fill the tank while transporting my goods. Sometimes when oil prices change, I haven't heard the latest. So coming her helps me find out," he said.
The group arranges to meet by sending text messages.
The deaf society normally begins at 5.30 pm and continues till 9pm. Then the group moves to a fast-food restaurant in Silom. There they linger drinking coffee until 1-2 am.
Those who can make it to the gather consider themselves lucky. Some cannot overcome parental disapproval of the idea.
"Parents of deaf children are over-protective. They don't want their children to go out.
"Parents don't understand what we are doing every Sunday. Those with teenage kids are worried their children might be deceived or drawn into bad things. One deaf girl I know has just been allowed to go out alone after she reached 20," Mr.Suwat said.
Some regard the Sunday gathering as the high point of the week as they feel alienated the rest of the time.
Ariya Boon-ngarm, 29, said she often felt embarrassed when she was with people with hearing. She felt different having to use sign language. There were times she was taken aback by what she regarded as their meanness.
" I once asked a person with hearing to help make a call to someone, to relay my message. But she just refused and walded away, " said Ms.Ariya.
Mr.Surasak, meanwhile, is a movie buff. But his choice is limited to foreign films with subtitles.
" I wish Thai films had subtitles so we had more options, " he said.
Mr.Suwat said deaf people were denied many opportunities that people with hearing enjoy. Watching TV was too difficult, he said. When you fall ill, it was hard to explain symptoms to the doctor, particularly those occurring internally. Some insurance firms rejected deaf clients as a matter of policy. And, he said, deaf people were often turned away when they applied for jobs.
Mr.Suwat dreams of having good hearing, to overcome such obstacles.
But Ms.Ariya is indifferent to the prospect of ever hearing, saying there are some advantages to being deaf.
"Although we can't hear, we can still communicate by sign language. And I'm happier not hearing what I don't want to hear, such as people fighting. And I am not bothered by the sound of motorcycles at night," she said.