'Ice is nice': Blind Thai teacher wins royal recognition

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, teaches English during a class at Satri Si Suriyothai school in Bangkok, Thailand, February 15, 2019. Picture taken February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Damkerng Mungthanya is a 26-year-old Thai who wakes up at 5 each morning for his mother to walk him to a train station for the commute into downtown Bangkok, where a student accompanies him to the high school where he works.

The English teacher who has been blind since birth has inspired many across Thailand, winning recognition for his determination and service from King Maha Vajiralongkorn this year.

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, rides a skytrain in Bangkok, Thailand, February 15, 2019. Picture taken February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

"Kru Ice is very nice, but if you are late with homework he will scold you," said Janjira Kaewmaram, 14, referring to the teacher by a nickname his students use.

Yet his journey has not been without hurdles.

Parents questioned his skills when he first joined the school two years ago, even though he had topped his graduation class at the prestigious Chulalongkorn University and placed third in an exam for thousands of teachers nationwide."The school said some parents were worried," Damkerng told Reuters in an interview. "Some asked, 'Why did the school accept a blind teacher?'"

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, smiles as his students sing a song for him during a class at Satri Si Suriyothai school in Bangkok, Thailand, February 15, 2019. Picture taken February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Damkerng was upset, but not defeated, saying he could not let the concerns of others hold him back.

"I have to prove that my abilities speak louder than disability."

It is not unusual for the visually-impaired to become teachers in Thailand, but most work in colleges and institutions of higher education, with few in primary or secondary schools, like Damkerng.

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, rides a skytrain in Bangkok, Thailand, February 12, 2019. Picture taken February 12, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

"He has a passion for teaching," said Veena Ratanasumawong, the department head at the Satri Si Suriyothai school where he teaches the eighth grade.

"I saw his ability for teaching and how he made it fun and got students engaged. He is well-prepared and very responsible."

So it was no surprise that authorities at the school, where he had once trained, stood by Damkerng, vouching for him and allaying the fears of anxious parents. Now he is a hit with his students, whom he remembers by their voices.

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, waits for help at a skytrain station in Bangkok, Thailand, February 14, 2019. Picture taken February 14, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

"He is a big inspiration, and motivates us to speak English more," said his student Janjira, adding that his lessons were clear.

A ceremony in February celebrated the conferral of one of the highest honors a Thai citizen can achieve, a letter from King Maha Vajiralongkorn acknowledging Damkerng's contribution and hailing him as "a good role model for society and country".

Damkerng says he was moved by the letter, which has encouraged him to continue teaching and set his sights on a scholarship for graduate school.

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, holds up a letter from the Thai palace conveying the King's acknowledgement of his achievement at Satri Si Suriyothai school in Bangkok, Thailand, February 15, 2019. Picture taken February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

(Reporting by Athit Perawongmetha and Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, crosses a street with his student near Satri Si Suriyothai school in Bangkok, Thailand, February 15, 2019. Picture taken February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, reads a book written in braille before a class at Satri Si Suriyothai school in Bangkok, Thailand, February 15, 2019. Picture taken February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, teaches English during a class at Satri Si Suriyothai school in Bangkok, Thailand, February 15, 2019. Picture taken February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, walks with his students at Satri Si Suriyothai school in Bangkok, Thailand, February 14, 2019. Picture taken February 14, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, walks toward his apartment in Bangkok, Thailand, February 12, 2019. Picture taken February 12, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, receives help by a security guard at a skytrain station in Bangkok, Thailand, February 12, 2019. Picture taken February 12, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, receives help by a security guard at a skytrain station in Bangkok, Thailand, February 14, 2019. Picture taken February 14, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, stands with his colleagues during a ceremony to receive a letter from the Thai palace conveying the King's acknowledgement of his achievement at Satri Si Suriyothai school in Bangkok, Thailand, February 15, 2019. Picture taken February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, walks with other blind people on a street in Bangkok, Thailand, February 14, 2019. Picture taken February 14, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, is combed by his mother at his apartment in Bangkok, Thailand, February 15, 2019. Picture taken February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Damkerng Mungthanya, who is a blind teacher, sits next to his student during an English morning announcement at Satri Si Suriyothai school in Bangkok, Thailand, February 13, 2019. Picture taken February 13, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha