THAI TEENAGER'S GREAT WEBSITES

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THAI TEENAGER'S GREAT WEBSITES
by Eric Shackle

Thousands of teenagers around the world have their own websites, but Nattawud Daoruang's may well be the world's best for that age group. Begun four years ago, when he was only 12, his first modest three pages have grown to 343 pages and 842 images spread among eight professional-looking sites, which attract 5000 visitors a week, from more than 100 countries.

"We don't all live in the jungle or ride elephants to school, and we do have TV," he says on his outstanding Thailand Life website, which he has developed into a weekly online magazine telling the Internet world about his life and country.

His sites reflect his wide range of interests: Thailand Life (which he updates daily), Harry Potter, The Beach, Cartoon Books, New Movies, Scrabble, Thailand Guidebook and Thailand Pictures. He also e-mails a monthly newsletter to subscribers around the world.

"Go on a virtual tour of a Thai city," Nattawud invites readers of his home page: "Visit the local tourist attractions, temples, market and schools. If you can't make it to Thailand, viewing this web site will give you a real taste of what to expect.

"Have you ever wondered about life in a Thai school? Wander around the school, see what the students are studying or eating for lunch. Even celebrate with them during festivals.

"Learn about life in Thailand and compare it with life in your country. You might be surprised that some things are the same. You can meet my family and see where I live. At home I have to do my housework and look after my younger brother.

"See what I like to do at the weekend and read about when I was a novice monk. I am a Buddhist and when my grandfather died I became a novice monk for a month. Read about life as a Buddhist in Thailand. Go with me to my temple and take part in festivals. Find out about my life at home and school. Check out the things in my pocket and the contents of my fridge. See what I study at school and view my photo albums.

"But," he warns, "if you are a teacher, then please do not enter. You might not like some things you read."

Judging by the number of recorded hits, Nattawud's top 10 pages are: My Secret Diary (Part 14 is headed enticingly "Find out whether I went out on my first date with Tai"), All About Me, Learn Thai, My House, My Friends, Tour of Market, Things in My Pocket, Nang Nak, My City and Supermarket.

The schoolboy leads a busy life. "I do the Movie web site for Bangkok.com." he says. "I'm also the official photographer for Paknam.com and ThaiScouting.com. I work in my own Internet shops and help in my school's shops. I'm working on new ideas all the time. I also help teach Primary 6 students how to do homepages once a week after school (see picture). My web site has won two international awards so far and I have been interviewed many times by reporters from around the world.

"I love taking photographs. Over the last eight months I have taken more than 2000 photographs... you won't find any advertising banners on any of my pages. I do this for fun, not money."

Despite spending so much of his time running his sites, Nattawud somehow manages to watch Soccer football on TV (his favorite team is England's Liverpool, although most Thai football fans seem to favor Manchester United), ride a motorcycle, and play chess.

Not surprisingly, he has a big following among the world's teenagers and Thai students studying in America and Europe. Most of his Net visitors live in the US, mention of which leads him to think of freedom... and snow. He would like to become an exchange student in America..

What are his plans for the future? Nattawud dreams of becoming an ambassador or diplomat. And his websites? "This project is never-ending," he says confidently. "I'll continue to update over the next 10, 20, 30 years.. You will be able to see my graduation from school, first day at work, my marriage, birth of my children, their first day at school..."

Eric Shackle is a retired journalist whose hobby is searching the Internet and writing about it. His work has been published by the New York Times (U.S.), Toronto Globe and Mail (Canada), Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), and Straits Times (Singapore). He recently published a free e-book, LIFE BEGINS AT 80, at http://www.bdb.co.za/shackle/ebook.htm