China News Service, Chengdu, March 19th: A Liang, the Thai son-in-law in Chengdu, Sichuan: enjoys life in China very much
Reporter Yue Yitong
Check the cleaning and disinfection of the facilities in the store, and urge the back kitchen to speed up the preparation of dishes... At 9 am, in a Thai restaurant in Wuhou District, Chengdu, the Thai boss A Liang, wearing a white baseball cap and a black jacket, is leading The staff were busy preparing for the first batch of diners that day.
"The weather is getting hotter, and more and more customers come to eat Thai food." A Liang, who speaks fluent Mandarin, said with a smile.
A Liang, 53, whose real name is Nattawat, is from Yala Province, Thailand.
In the 1990s, working as a tour guide, he met his Chinese wife who was also a tour guide who led a group to Thailand.
In 1998, the two tied the knot, and A Liang officially became a Sichuan son-in-law.
In 2005, the couple who had the crystallization of love chose to settle in Chengdu and jointly operate a travel agency.
Affected by the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the cross-border tourism business was temporarily suspended. A Liang facilitated his business again in May last year and moved to the catering industry.
A Liang communicates with the restaurant staff.
Photo by Zhang Lang
After 30 years of hard work in the tourism industry, will you be uncomfortable with entering a new industry?
Talking about this issue, A Liang told reporters that whether it is the tourism industry or the catering industry, the essence is to promote exchanges between people, and they have something in common.
No matter what industry he is in, he wants to contribute to the promotion of exchanges between Thailand and China and be a solid "screw".
"Through tourism, people can learn about the natural scenery and folk culture of a place; through food, people can also learn about the local customs."
"Food not only fills one's stomach, but also contains information such as climate and environment." A Liang gave an example of the classic Thai food Tom Yum Goong. The reason why Thais prefer hot and sour is because Thailand's climate is hot all year round, and Tom Yum Goong is sour and sour. Spicy dishes can stimulate people's taste buds and increase appetite.
"For example, stinky bean stir-fried peppers is a special food in southern Thailand. Hand-grabbed glutinous rice with papaya salad comes from northeastern Thailand... Through food, Chinese people can learn about the special culture of different regions of Thailand."
A Liang at work.
Photo by Zhang Lang
Talking about his experience since running the restaurant, A Liang said sincerely that most of the customers are very familiar with Thai food and rarely need introductions and explanations.
In his view, this understanding is based on the long-standing close relationship between Thailand and China.
"For many years, Thailand has been one of the preferred outbound tourism destinations for Chinese tourists, and China is also one of the favorite countries for Thai tourists. We are like relatives, and we are getting closer to each other." A Liang said that many Thais are now They all speak simple Chinese. Thailand has offered Chinese courses from elementary school to university. I believe that the exchanges between the two countries will be smoother in the future.
This year is the 17th year that A Liang has settled in Chengdu. He joked that he is an authentic "ear raker" and enjoys life in China very much.
"Chengdu's urban development and construction speed is too fast, and the subway lines extend in all directions, and it is very convenient to go anywhere." A Liang said that what impressed him most was the happy and leisurely life of the elderly in Chengdu, "My father-in-law and mother-in-law get together with friends almost every day. We can talk and laugh together, dance square dance, play mahjong and other leisure activities, and live a very comfortable life.”
A Liang has a meeting with the restaurant staff.
Photo by Zhang Lang
On weekdays, A Liang also often shares his Chinese life with relatives and friends in Thailand. Food and travel are all hot topics.
In the past 17 years, he has received hundreds of relatives and friends who came to Sichuan to visit. "Everyone is full of curiosity and yearning for China. As the son-in-law of Sichuan, it is impossible to get away with arranging a hot pot." A Liang said with a smile, China is also the younger generation of Thailand to study abroad. The popular choice of the land, "The children of many of my relatives are studying in China, and I am happy to be their guardian in China." (End)