First Impressions of the Deaf Community in Thailand

Within a few hours of arriving in Bangkok, we met a deaf womyn selling cell phone “I love you” ornaments for 30 baht each ($1.00 USD) on the Khao San market. Moments later, we turned the corner and bumped into another deaf womyn selling bathing suits to make her living. We quickly found out that on Silcom and Nai Lert Roads in downtown Bangkok, it is required by law for vendor permits to be reserved for those who are deaf, blind or physically handicapped. Deaf vendors up and down these streets sell their merchandise by day and end their evenings socializing on the sidewalks with family style Pad Thai, curry and Singha. These are the faces of Bangkok.

On day two, we met up with Gallaudet Alumni and native to Thailand, Jay Bunnag, who is striving to bring the deaf community together by hosting academic bowls and other gatherings. The challenges Jay faces in bringing people together are often financial. In this environment where everyone, deaf or hearing, is trying to make a living to get by, can they afford the 250 baht for a social event? Also, there are very few deaf of deaf families here, perhaps less than 1%. While many deaf people have smaller circles of friends, the culture of deaf clubs/events or larger community socials, which can be common in other countries, are not so much a part of the deaf culture in Thailand.

Jay currently works at Suan Dusit University to educate deaf students. He was inspired to first earn his MA, knowing that he would be teaching up and coming deaf leaders earning their BA. Many of these deaf students will later give back by becoming teachers themselves, raising the bar for deaf education in Thailand.

There are many similar signs between Thai and American Sign Language, which has been a relief for these initial, get-to-know-you conversations we have had our first few days. But we now have our five pocket Thai Sign Language books in hand and are connected to the local deaf community. Each day we stroll through the markets of Khao San en route to our hostel to say hello to the deaf vendors. So before we leave Thailand two months from now, we hope to learn and document more of their stories…in their native sign language.

For more information on Discovering Deaf Worlds, visit www.discoveringdeafworlds.com