Camaraderie in Ban Panthom
Having been born in a country overwhelmed by tall skyscrapers and the prominent presence of flats, people often prefer privacy after a tiring day of work over engaging in conversations with their neighbors. This constant fast pace of working life in a competitive society like Singapore is the main culprit robbing its people their burgeoning need to forge meaningful relationships with their peers and family members. Perhaps many will agree that the sudden reduction of human interactions between neighbors is due to the transformation of a vibrant kampong village into masses of tall buildings dominated by pre-cast concrete structures.
On the contrary, one seems to be able to seek respite in a small community like Ban Panthom. At first glance, one is greeted by the rustic timber façade of houses. For someone who is accustomed to high standard of hygiene, often a characteristic of a country like Singapore who claims to live up to its “clean and green “campaign, the uneven roads and narrow alleys might deter one from wondering further into the alleys. However, the unique aspect about this small community which is absent in the Singapore community is the strong sense of camaraderie amongst neighbors. Instead of a superficial “hi”and “bye” situation amongst neighbors before embarking on their way to work in Singapore, neighbors in Ban Panthom forge close knitted relationships with one another in distinct ways. From the sharing of laundry services to the sharing of food, one is able to discern the strong bond between neighbors within the community.
Camaraderie isn’t something that is tangible; it can only be experienced amongst people who understand one another both spiritually and emotionally. This is strongly expressed in the Ban Panthom community where neighbors often open up to the rest of the neighbors. Perhaps it is due to the way the front and back of houses are designed such that there is always the ever presence of interactions between them. What struck me most is the fact that the people even open up to strangers and foreigners like us, which makes conversation with them easier. Being able to integrate into a community not only requires one to merely know the existence of their neighbors, but also to understand one another on the emotional level. The absence of camaraderie amongst neighbors in Singapore makes me reflect upon the situation of work in a fast pace society; also a part of me somehow yearn for more interactions with my neighbors. But sadly there are more conflicts and superficial relationships which is on the rise and there is often nothing one can do anything about them…
