KHON KAEN: Lots of boys dream of being policemen, soldiers or firemen, but Chudjane Trungjitpitdol has other ambitions. The three-year-old fascinated by aircraft marshalling and on Saturday he got a chance to try out his dream job.
Chudjane Trungjitpitdol was "on duty" in a specially tailored outfit, equipped with acoustic earmuffs and two signalling paddles as he took up his position a few paces behind an adult marshal directing a Thai AirAsia aircraft to its parking bay at Khon Kaen airport.
The youngster was already well-known to airport staff for performing hand signals next to the airport fence, and pictures of him in action have been widely circulated. The airline and the airport decided to give him an opportunity to meet a real marshaller and go through the motions on the ramp.
Thongchai Trungjitpitdol, the boy’s father, said Chudjane first became fascinated with watching the marshallers at work during a visit to the airport a year ago. His family visited the airport often and the boy refused to get into the terminal, but wanted to stay outside to watch the marshallers and follow their movements.
Mr Thongchai said the boy also watched videos on YouTube of marshallers at work and learned to perform all the hand signals for take-off and landing. He later asked his mother to make an outfit and find the right equipment for him.
Catriya Borirak, the Thai AirAsia manager for Khon Kaen, said airline staff and ground officials had been watching the boy for over a year. One day, he showed up in an outfit similar to those worn by marshallers and it was clear he was serious about learning the routine.
The airline sought permission from the airport to get him onto the grounds to direct an aircraft behind the official on duty.
Athaya Lapmak, the director of Khon Kaen airport, said the airport ensured that the youngster was in a safe area where he would not be interfering with actual operations. The airport is willing to support him to enter the aviation industry when he grows up, he added.
Watched over by his father, Chudjane mimics the hand signals of an adult aircraft marshaller at Khon Kaen airport. (Photo by Jakkrphan Natunri)