A mother and her then two-year-old son, nicknamed ‘Copter’, from a remote village deep in Kanchanaburi's Thung Yai Naresuan Forest, have recalled a memorable encounter with the late HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati during her visit by helicopter seven years ago.
Residents of the village of Ban Lai Wo were excited to learn that the Princess would be visiting Ban Kong Mong Tha School's Lai Wo branch in Sangkhla Buri district, as part of her royal duties in the remote border area in 2019.
The boy's mother, Saengraya Sophapatchusamai, recalled that she and her son were among those waiting to greet the Princess. Villagers had gathered to welcome the royal visitor and, when her helicopter landed, many approached the aircraft.
Drawn by curiosity, ‘Copter’ ran towards the Princess and pointed at the helicopter. Noticing the young boy, the Princess warmly asked whether he would like to ride in it. She told him that if he could count from one to ten, she would take him aboard and show him the view from above.
Determined to meet the challenge, he carefully recited the numbers. Impressed by his effort, the Princess took him in her arms and onto the helicopter.
The aircraft then made a brief flight around the village, creating a lasting memory for the boy, his family and local residents.
Today, ‘Copter’ is a Grade 3 student at the same school and his family continues to cherish photographs from that day, along with a hat, given by the Princess, displaying them in a frame on the wall of their home.
Saengraya said the family treasures the photographs, which serve as a reminder of the Princess's compassion for children living in remote communities.
"Every time we look at the pictures, we remember her kindness," she said. "We use it to encourage our son to grow up to be a good person and to contribute to society in gratitude for the compassion she had showed him."
For the family and many residents of Lai Wo village, the memory remains a cherished symbol of the Princess's dedication to people living in Thailand's most remote areas.
