Uncle Noi is a mobile fruit vendor. He peddles his fruits on a pick-up truck which has a small loud speaker attached to it. Dogs would bark at his arrival as unmistakable sign of his presence.

However, for the past couple of days, his old truck wasn’t used to sell fruits as usual but was turned into a temporary red-shirt rally stage. The microphone and amplifier which has been used for calling customers’ attention is now a temporary red-shirt stage to convey political thinking to other fellow red-shirts who gather at Din Daeng after the main stage at Rajprasong intersection was cordoned off by thousands of soldiers.

Looking pale and haggard, he tells me in a hoarse voice that he has been here for two days. Distorted information from the television and increasing number of civilian deaths led him there - to the new protest site.

As soon as the stage and the amplifier were set, Uncle Noi tells me that he will leave for the frontline where the shootings are raging. I hold him, telling him that it is too dangerous. “I’m never afraid of death. I’m ready for those bullets” he says angrily.

My friend and I try to calm him down and it seems to work for a while. However, ten minutes later, I saw Uncle Noi’s old buddy truck runs pass me toward the frontline.

It was 4pm. That was the last time I saw him and I have not seen him since.

His fate is unknown. I have no idea if he is still alive. His reminds me of the suicidal mission of Uncle Nuamthong Praiwan who ram his taxi into an Army tank after the September, 2006 coup.

They both are elderly people who actually can’t do much, but their conscience tells them to spend the rest of their life doing as best as possible to put a halt to political injustice, given their humble status.

In the end, their missions may provide no answer. But at least they have given it a try.

I left the stage around four in the morning, took a bath and started to write the most touching story of my day.

Wish I could tell him that though others may not understand, I do appreciate his decision.

“Best of luck, Uncle Noi”

Translated by Thaweeporn Kummetha

Edited by Pravit Rojanaphruk