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Tri, the sassy younger sister, sat quietly on a large rock, wiping away her tears with a periwinkle scarf. She couldn't walk any further.

From this point, the path ahead is a steep, slippery slope with a wooden ladder propped against it. I'm not sure how much further we have to climb, and I doubt anyone in the group knows for sure.

However, we've come too far to turn back. Our group consists of two teachers, two caregivers, and myself, a photographer who happened to be accompanying the team. We have to work as a team, using humor, encouragement, pulling, and pushing to help her move forward.

And finally, even though she was slower than everyone else, her little feet still carried her to the finish line.




The following is a translation of the provided Thai text into English, adhering to the specified guidelines:

I separated myself from the group because from now on there is nothing to worry about except myself…

My aching left knee made me limp along the path, from when there was still sunlight until the moon rose.

The sides of the road turned dark blue and black shadows. It was a good thing that there was a hawker pushing a cart in the opposite direction, which made me feel a little better.

At the end of the darkness, there was a light and a familiar voice. "Auntie!"

"We're almost at the camp. Walk this way," she said.

"When did you arrive?" I asked.

"Huh?" Auntie was surprised and raised her flashlight to shine directly at my face.

"I arrived a long time ago. My group walks fast. You go in first, I'll follow you later."



Turning the corner, I was surprised to find that the Wang Kwang camp was much larger than I had imagined. Hundreds of tents were scattered across the grounds, and the aroma of grilled pork wafted from dozens of barbecue pits, tempting passersby with a dazzling array of food options.

Where is my tent? Fortunately, another volunteer helped me find my way, otherwise I would have been walking around in circles for a long time.



The final group of participants with disabilities arrived, and the "Walking with Heart" camp members, including visually impaired students from the Bangkok School for the Blind, physically challenged students from the Nonthaburi Home for the Disabled, volunteers, support staff, and the main team, gathered once again. They enjoyed a delicious dinner together to recharge before heading off to rest for the night.



Dozens of people quickly disappeared into the tents, and soon the sound of snoring followed.
I just realized that I don't like sleeping in tents like this because I have trouble sleeping. I wake up at the slightest sound.
This time it took me a while to fall asleep, but it wasn't over yet.

The following is a translation of the provided text from Thai to English, adhering to the specified guidelines:

To witness the sunrise at Phu Kradueng, one must embark on the journey with park officials at 5 AM sharp.

And this is the origin of the second wave of attacks, which occurred during the most peaceful hours of sleep.


"Fifteen more minutes!"
The officer's voice boomed, announcing the impending departure in 15 minutes. A cacophony of footsteps, laughter, and indistinct chatter followed.



I woke up to the sound of Ah Jie's soft, rhythmic "fee fee" noises. It was quite irritating.




The original text describes the writer's experience at a camp where they volunteered as a photographer. They mention that they didn't have a specific person to follow, which allowed them to encounter "Tree" frequently. The text concludes by observing that "Tree" seems very happy.

Here's the translated text:

During this camp, I signed up to be a photographer. I wasn't assigned to follow any specific participant, which allowed me to cross paths with Tree frequently. Now, she seems genuinely happy.

"She pretended to cry to tease her friends," she boasted to her older siblings. "Just wait and see when she walks down the aisle," I thought to myself as I watched silently.



The smooth sailing made the time on the back of the turtle pass quickly. Tomorrow, I will be able to return home. Farewell to the snoring and the sound of the army of tourists traveling to see the sunrise.




On the day of our return, we set off early in the morning, barely having time to use the restroom.

Due to the departure of some volunteers, the camp adjusted its plan by requesting assistance from groups with healthy students to support groups with higher risks.

The new volunteer can take care of the tripod, while I decided to put the camera away and go with her again.




Fortunately, our new guide was a strong and psychologically adept trainer. The descent, which I had anticipated to be arduous, became significantly easier. However, our group's progress remained slow, preventing us from reaching our destination before sunset.

Amidst the darkness, an elderly peddler, his silhouette gliding down from the mountain, encountered our group. He illuminated the path with his bright flashlight and offered to guide us.

Thanks to our uncle's assistance, we managed to reach the ground safely without falling headfirst.



"Will you come back to Phu Kradueng again?" one of the volunteer brothers asked.
"Nooooooooo," she smiled broadly.

Tri may not have the opportunity (or desire) to return here again.

However, what is truly remarkable is that she has achieved the impossible. With sheer determination, she has pushed her physical limits and conquered Phu Kradueng, and I am here to witness her triumph.




In conclusion,

The following is a translation of the Thai sentence:

"There may be questions about why we brought a disabled child to Phu Kradueng, given the difficulties it presents."

The primary objective of the organizers (Nature Camp) is to empower participants to achieve seemingly impossible goals, fostering a sense of accomplishment that can be applied to overcoming the challenges of daily life, which can be particularly difficult for individuals with disabilities.

"I can't believe I made it to the top of Phu Kradueng," a blind student said before we all boarded the bus back to Bangkok.



Fun Facts about Phu Kradueng National Park:

  • Sunrise Viewing: To witness the breathtaking sunrise, visitors must join a guided tour with park rangers starting at 5:00 AM.
  • Free Battery Charging: For those who dine at the park's popular "Mu Kratha" restaurant, complimentary battery charging is available.
  • Affordable and Secure Charging: The Wang Kwang Tourist Service Center offers safe and affordable battery charging services for visitors.
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