FSW WORLDWIDE
- Thread starter js555
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I did not join Ukraine as a Thai national, but as a human being’: former airman volunteers to fight Russian invasion
When Chanapong arrived yesterday morning at Ukraine’s Bangkok embassy on Wireless Road, he carried a passport and proof of his military experience. He told its staff that he was there to enlist to help Ukraine’s army fight off Russian invaders.
“I want the Ukrainian people to know that they are not alone,” he said in an interview last night, identifying himself only by his first name. “If they ask for help, I’m willing to answer.”
It was last week, as images and clips of Ukraine under attack filled his feed, that Chanapong was touched by a story of a Ukrainian couple who rushed to tie the knot as missiles rained down. Then he saw more stories of innocent children killed and Ukrainian families forced apart.
So, after participating in unsuccessful protests to restore democracy at home, the 27-year-old former airman decided to go fight for it abroad.
“I did not join [the Ukraine legion] as a Thai national, but I did so as a human being,” Chanapong told Coconuts Bangkok last night, hours after his tweet from the embassy and announcement that he and a friend had volunteered to fight ignited imaginations.
Thais put money – and even lives – on the line for Ukraine
But Chanapong, who said his tweet inspired others to do the same, admits the battlefield is still far away, and getting there may be too costly.
Chanapong said he served two years in the Royal Thai Air Force, which qualifies him to join Ukraine’s newly established International Legion. He said that he is prepared physically and mentally. He was part of an anti-government protests last year in Bangkok’s Din Daeng area where violence between riot police and protesters broke out nightly.
“I’m not just a gaming nerd, not just a three-hoofed protester,” Chanapong said, referring to a dehumanizing term for anti-government protesters. “I can take care of myself and manage to survive.”
Still, he realizes the risk.
“At the Din Daeng protests, the worst is that I got beaten and arrested,” he said. “But this time, if I were to reach Ukraine successfully, I might be dead.”
At the embassy yesterday, he showed staff his Thai passport. There were no language requirements required, Chanapong said, noting that his English skill was “quite fair.”
Earlier this week, Ukraine established the international legion for foreigners who want to “fight side by side” against Russia, according to the Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday. Zelensky said Ukraine has waived visa requirements for anyone traveling to fight on his country’s behalf.
In Thailand, the Ukrainian Embassy in Bangkok has publicized an email address for those who want to enlist.
Chanapong said he and his unidentified friend, who also has military experience, would apply online this morning. They were told by the embassy to wait a few days for the results.
The rest is uncertain after that. The cost of travel is another of Chanapong’s concerns, since foreign volunteers must pay their own way to Ukraine.
“The round-trip flights from Thailand to Ukraine are not cheap,” he said, estimating that it could be tens of thousands of baht, possibly more than he can afford, even with his savings.
“Would a millionaire or business owner go? No. It’s the little people feeling defeated about humanity that want to go and help, but we need financial support, too, whether it’s from Ukraine or Thailand,” Chanapong said.
When Chanapong arrived yesterday morning at Ukraine’s Bangkok embassy on Wireless Road, he carried a passport and proof of his military experience. He told its staff that he was there to enlist to help Ukraine’s army fight off Russian invaders.
“I want the Ukrainian people to know that they are not alone,” he said in an interview last night, identifying himself only by his first name. “If they ask for help, I’m willing to answer.”
It was last week, as images and clips of Ukraine under attack filled his feed, that Chanapong was touched by a story of a Ukrainian couple who rushed to tie the knot as missiles rained down. Then he saw more stories of innocent children killed and Ukrainian families forced apart.
So, after participating in unsuccessful protests to restore democracy at home, the 27-year-old former airman decided to go fight for it abroad.
“I did not join [the Ukraine legion] as a Thai national, but I did so as a human being,” Chanapong told Coconuts Bangkok last night, hours after his tweet from the embassy and announcement that he and a friend had volunteered to fight ignited imaginations.
Thais put money – and even lives – on the line for Ukraine
But Chanapong, who said his tweet inspired others to do the same, admits the battlefield is still far away, and getting there may be too costly.
Chanapong said he served two years in the Royal Thai Air Force, which qualifies him to join Ukraine’s newly established International Legion. He said that he is prepared physically and mentally. He was part of an anti-government protests last year in Bangkok’s Din Daeng area where violence between riot police and protesters broke out nightly.
“I’m not just a gaming nerd, not just a three-hoofed protester,” Chanapong said, referring to a dehumanizing term for anti-government protesters. “I can take care of myself and manage to survive.”
Still, he realizes the risk.
“At the Din Daeng protests, the worst is that I got beaten and arrested,” he said. “But this time, if I were to reach Ukraine successfully, I might be dead.”
At the embassy yesterday, he showed staff his Thai passport. There were no language requirements required, Chanapong said, noting that his English skill was “quite fair.”
Earlier this week, Ukraine established the international legion for foreigners who want to “fight side by side” against Russia, according to the Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday. Zelensky said Ukraine has waived visa requirements for anyone traveling to fight on his country’s behalf.
In Thailand, the Ukrainian Embassy in Bangkok has publicized an email address for those who want to enlist.
Chanapong said he and his unidentified friend, who also has military experience, would apply online this morning. They were told by the embassy to wait a few days for the results.
The rest is uncertain after that. The cost of travel is another of Chanapong’s concerns, since foreign volunteers must pay their own way to Ukraine.
“The round-trip flights from Thailand to Ukraine are not cheap,” he said, estimating that it could be tens of thousands of baht, possibly more than he can afford, even with his savings.
“Would a millionaire or business owner go? No. It’s the little people feeling defeated about humanity that want to go and help, but we need financial support, too, whether it’s from Ukraine or Thailand,” Chanapong said.
Vidnomenon
Star Member
- Oct 19, 2021
- 201
- Category........
- FSW
- NOC Code......
- 1123
- AOR Received.
- 06-01-2021
- Med's Done....
- 27-10-2020
- Passport Req..
- 20-06-2022
You sound grounded, that's a good thing because there's still a lot of good to look forward too bro. Keep pushing
D
Deleted member 994371
Guest
Hey man, take care of yourself. The girl thing stings for a while before it subsides.
If you want to look on the bright side, you are about to start a whole new chapter in your life now.
Canada PR, new job, new people. You have a lot to look forward to.
I hope atleast they process the application fast ,the way they are playing I don't know.
GandiBaat
VIP Member
- Dec 23, 2014
- 2,990
- NOC Code......
- 2173
- App. Filed.......
- 26th September 2021
- Doc's Request.
- Old Medical
- Nomination.....
- None
- AOR Received.
- 26th September 2021
- IELTS Request
- Sent with application
- File Transfer...
- 11-01-2022
- Med's Request
- Not Applicable, Old Meds
- Med's Done....
- Old Medical
- Interview........
- Not Applicable
- Passport Req..
- 22-02-2022
- VISA ISSUED...
- 22-02-2022
- LANDED..........
- 24-02-2022
The reality, how so ever complex, does not require convincing. Lies do. Writing paragraphs is for her to feel good about herself in the end. You know the drill...
Guys my advice if you guys are finding someone don't even mention about pr or visa or anything. Believe me it will save you a lot of headaches, headaches.....
If that person is nice I don't know but I was telling only about my exp there might be good people out there
If that person is nice I don't know but I was telling only about my exp there might be good people out there
D
Deleted member 994371
Guest
If your eligibility is passed and you have a fresh medical, they will get to your application soon - if the world war thing doesn't happen that is.
GandiBaat
VIP Member
- Dec 23, 2014
- 2,990
- NOC Code......
- 2173
- App. Filed.......
- 26th September 2021
- Doc's Request.
- Old Medical
- Nomination.....
- None
- AOR Received.
- 26th September 2021
- IELTS Request
- Sent with application
- File Transfer...
- 11-01-2022
- Med's Request
- Not Applicable, Old Meds
- Med's Done....
- Old Medical
- Interview........
- Not Applicable
- Passport Req..
- 22-02-2022
- VISA ISSUED...
- 22-02-2022
- LANDED..........
- 24-02-2022
If you are removing her from application, it may take a bit more time but that is something you need to do to keep things legal with ircc.
D
Deleted member 994371
Guest
Was the PR thing on her mind? You were already in the US. Was moving to Canada her idea so that she could move too?
If so, she will be the one who is sorry right now. lol.
A break up is always better than a divorce. It was for your good, you saw her true face before you guys got married. Take care of yourself. Don’t let this break you.
Anyone can be diagnosed with any issue (minor or major) at any point of life, it’s unpredictable. People need to stand by each other’s side. Let it go.
GandiBaat
VIP Member
- Dec 23, 2014
- 2,990
- NOC Code......
- 2173
- App. Filed.......
- 26th September 2021
- Doc's Request.
- Old Medical
- Nomination.....
- None
- AOR Received.
- 26th September 2021
- IELTS Request
- Sent with application
- File Transfer...
- 11-01-2022
- Med's Request
- Not Applicable, Old Meds
- Med's Done....
- Old Medical
- Interview........
- Not Applicable
- Passport Req..
- 22-02-2022
- VISA ISSUED...
- 22-02-2022
- LANDED..........
- 24-02-2022
Before marriage(though even that is not what it used to be), every relationship is flaky. That is not to say everyone and their relationship is same but its very much likely both don't have same idea of relationship.
She is really smart, she works for the government and she might have thought why this hassle, similarly we were planning to go to uk it was difficult for her ,so she sai yeah
"You are a liar and I feel disgusted".I can't trust you- key word