Airports all over the world are places often filled with opposites of emotions….. happiness from the arrival of a dear loved one, or sadness at the separation of someone dear. While the video below with the song “Almost Over You” by Sheena Easton showcase pictures of Survanabhumi airport in Thailand, this is dedicated to all who could relate to the experience that I am about to share below:
For many years, passing through Survanabhumi airport often provides feeling of happiness when arriving, and sorrow when passing through the airport departure gates. That time, I was still residing in Malaysia and for about 10 years, could visit only by taking annual leave, which is limited.
Arriving in the airport
For about 10 years when I was still working in the corporate world, I come to Thailand about twice a year, each round lasting between 10 to 14 days. Well, I spent a majority of my annual leave travelling to Thailand. While employees would love to have overtime if they put in extra days at work, I would prefer to be given additional annual leave so that I can travel to Thailand more often. I used to take MAS (Malaysian Airlines) or Thai Airways, hence I use to stop in this airport instead of Don Meung.
I am not sure why, but each time it kinda feel like I am going back ‘home’ even though I was born and grow up in Malaysia. Prior to coming, I often would have to put up very late nights at work for about a week or two to clear my work as I try my best not to trouble my colleagues as they already have enough on their plate.
After passing Immigration check it, we would collect the baggage before exiting. The wall art had only been around in the last 6 or 7 years …..not sure if you notice it but to me, I find all the walls being decorated with the Thai art to be very beautiful:
Departure:
Here is the departure floor where passengers check-in at their respective airline counters. Sometimes, I am here with others to send friends off, and sometimes, it was me who was going back. I took the photo below while on the escalator moving towards Immigration after I have checked in my luggage:
Note: The verses that you see located below the graphics are from the song “Almost Over You”, the audio featured in the Shorts where I told the story in brief
After Immigration clearance, we would be greeted with the magnificient statue below:
At times, when I feel sad to leave, I would not be able to fully appreciate the majesty of this beautiful creation. I would see happy tourists taking photos here, before leaving Thailand to go home.
After this point, here would be duty free shopping and dining available. For those who have to endure a long transit or wait a long time, there a lot of places to go around to have a look. For me, I would usually make a beeline to the bookstore (Asia books).
When it is time, I would make my way to the boarding gate and wait for my flight. There are a few main departure gates. This particular one is the departure gate that I am often assigned to:
When time is right, things will happen naturally and what is meant to be, will be
Some people would have special affinity with a particular country or place, and it may not be the same country where one was born and raised. That does not mean one do not like one own’s country, but it is just that one’s life path is destined to be in another country.
About 6 years ago, I arrived at Survanabhumi airport with my mom and two friends who happened to accompany me. That time, my mom was still able to converse and walk, even though she would use a wheelchair for long distance walk. Eventually, I settled in Thailand with my mom and as my mom’s Alzheimer’s progresses during the time of Covid, and she eventually become bedridden, I was not able to leave Thailand as I am her sole caregiver.
Life often work out in outcomes that we did not expect. For now, our life circumstances may not be what we wanted. There may be something or someone that we wish to be with badly but is unable to at the present moment. The airport may become a bittersweet place of hello, followed by goodbye. Which was what I was experiencing for 10 years before I brought my mom to Thailand.
Even though we are at the point of life that we feel terribly unhappy, we still need to be accountable for dependants and responsibilities in our lives. We should not forsake the people that need our care so that we can go out to live a carefree life. Because if we do that, the ending is bound to be most unfortunate for us.
If it is meant to be, it would be- which would happen when the time is right.
If not, no amount of wailing, crying and begging can change. Even if we obtain something through coercion and manipulation, we would always always know that deep down inside, that does not belong to us.
During the 10 years of me travelling to and fro, often passing through Survanabhumi airport, I knew I had responsibilities back at home to fulfill and it was not time for me to do what I wish to do. Often there was a lot of sadness in my heart. While I know I cannot change the circumstances, I try to fill up my time with meaningful pursuits. Writing articles like this, seeing the beauty and wonder of places I visit and sharing with others….. this become the comfort and fulfilling hobby in my life.
After that 10 years, when I arrived again at Survanabhumi airport with my mom six years ago, it was just meant to be a short holiday. I’ve never set anything in order, for example transfer the ownership of my car or take care of my bank accounts (a few accounts become inactive and soon they would be send to Unclaims monies).
I did not think it would be possible for me to stay long term in Thailand. Life often does not work out as how we expected. It has been more than 6 years since I am back to Malaysia.
The most important thing for me is not where I am, but that I get to spend my life with those who truly matters for me. Now after many years, Survanabhumi airport does not invoke anymore bittersweet feelings.
It is the same for you…. if there is something you deeply long for in your life, you would need to accept the circumstance and responsibility in your life right now, and that the time is just not right. If it is meant to be, it would be. Meanwhile, try to be happy and to look for the goodness and appreciate the little blessings that life have to offer. Or pour that intense energy into a worthwhile endevour.
Because often times when we spend lamenting and desperately wishing our life to be different, we failed to see the good in our life. And one day, we would miss what we have taken for granted when they are gone forever.
For example, some may feel that there are saddled down with kids, marriage, elderly parents, etc. They show resentment and they try to get home as late as possible. Eventually their kids grow up and they miss the best years in the kids life, and become enstranged from their children.
Or they sent their parents away, or did not go back to visit. When their parents are gone forever, one day they realize they miss their parents terribly and are filled with enormous guilt and remorse. There was a few people who saw my mom and their eyes just drifted into nostalgia because she reminded them of their moms who have now passed on. If they have taken care of their mom, then it is filled with nostalgic memories, but if they have not done the best they could, then they had a lot of remorse and grief.
