Tonkla Institute I clearly remember a cartoon about two mice that were locked up in a prison. Every morning, they would wake up in the morning and the skinny mouse would question the chubby mouse, asking what they should do to conquer the world. The chubby one would respond as he did every single day that they would not be able to succeed, no matter what, because they were just two small mice with little hands without the capability to defeat the earth. A group of people by the name, “We change,” the Tonkla alliance have members that are truly bigger than the two mice, with much larger hands, but have no intentions of conquering the world. However, their desires are to “change the world” and that “the world changes because we change and every day we change the world.” They only want to see change for the better. If they were compared against the entire population of the world, they would still be equal to small mice anyway. But have you ever heard the saying, “little changes make a huge difference?” Jamorn Sornpecharin, or “Jay” of 24 years, is a Communication Arts student at Rangsit University, explains that we are not able to change the world by ourselves but rather through campaigns, websites, messages on t-shirts, and word-of-mouth, and the latter being the most effective. Many members of this alliance joined through invitations of friends and acquaintances. “One method is seeing examples of behavior, for instance, I’ve stopped using plastic drinking straws. My friends see this and ask and I have the chance to explain my stance, while they continue setting examples for others as well. It’s not that the straws are dirty but we are trying to decrease production of objects than can otherwise destroy the world’s environment in the future.” “Kwang” Anyarat Onsutthi, of 23 years and member of Tonkla alliance, explains the concept of “Every Day We Change The World,” which began from a bunch of people that worked to develop the society. “We believed that we should implement something practical that could be applied in everyday lives. We saw that we are consumers and we have been supporting Capitalism all these years. Where could we start? We stopped using plastic bags, began saving energy, and promoting consumption in mom and pop stores rather than buying in stores owned by foreign companies.” Kwang explained that although the items in the local shops were priced higher but it was a way to help Thais. “This is the era of foreign domination. There are so many ways to manipulate us. When we walk in a mall, we didn’t really have lists of things to buy but ended up buying lots every time. The mechanisms of Capitalism have somehow penetrated in our lifestyles and advertisements. When we stroll in a 7-Eleven without any goals of shopping, it becomes a habit of purchasing more than necessary because of the intriguing sales promotions. That is why we decided a change was critical to our lifestyles.” Jay added that it was not obligatory for everyone to have the same ideas about changing the world. “For example, I don’t iron my clothes in order to save energy. I wear t-shirts and don’t even press my school shirts but hang them neatly to prevent creases, which is not the best but works out alright. I also don’t take the elevator and walk four and five flights of stairs so that I discipline myself.” Kwang has stopped using her mobile phone for good. For others, a cellular phone is comparable to another body part that grows from the ear or used as an essential asset in life. “I started using it less, not adding money in the prepaid cards, until I stopped using it altogether. To this day, although I have money to buy those prepaid cards, I don’t see the necessity to have one. I am able to live in this world in happiness and others should find a way to adjust to my lifestyle.” Jay expresses his opinion that mobile phones have made people become more distant. “Before we had these types of fast communication devices, everyone met more often but now we just pick up the phone to talk. We just hear voices and the relationships become less personal. “Champ” Patrawut Jaralsup of 19 years, studying at the Faculty of Science at Kasetsart University, is someone who agrees that mobile phones will never attract him and has never owned one too. “Champ” has no religion and he believes that religion creates limitations that differentiate people. “Since religions teach everyone to be good, why should we categorize any religion? Thus, doing good deeds is my religion.” All the mentioned actions and beliefs may have caused others to view them as people opposing the mainstream ideas of the world. It is not exactly opposing, but we first have to ask whose world does this belong to? The only girl in the group explained what they were doing. “I don’t believe there is only one way of living in the world of capitalism we are in today. There is a community lifestyle that has a heart or businesses that see beyond profit but they have not been recognized as mainstream standard of living. We try to encourage a different consumption culture because we have faith there are other options, where we don’t disturb one another.” On the day we met, it was the “sharing market day,” one of the many activities of the alliance, “We Change.” This market is a gathering for those who wish to give, where money has no significance, and a place where Kwang said that there actually is a “free lunch” in the world. Jay explained that this market is where we shared our things, belongings that no longer served any purpose for us but might be useful for others. “The process begins with each person stating the origin and sentimental value about that item, meaning that even though the owner is not using it anymore, he/she still adds value to it. Other participants will see its worth and can have it. The owner can make a decision if there is more than one person who desires it, judging from each person’s reasons. For those who didn’t bring anything, they can just join the event as someone who has the same beliefs of giving. Looks like there are not many people with these principles, but apparently there are and you just have to seek them.” Kwang added that, “It doesn’t matter if everyone doesn’t receive an exchange of items. They can just come and sing for others, or help wash dishes. We believe that in this world, there are no conditions in giving or receiving things free of charge and no expectations of wishing for anything in return.” Jay, Kwang and Champ say in unison that they have high hopes that this “sharing market” will expand to other circles, to the point where roads can be closed to open this market. Kwang concluded, “There are no trademark rights on this market, so everyone is free to organize one too.” What do the two mice and “We change” group have in common? They have the determination and perseverance to do what they strongly believe in. The only difference is the pair of mice has never succeeded in conquering the earth, but who knows, maybe one day, several pair of hands in this group will succeed with triumph. For more information about the date, time, and venue of the next “Sharing Market,” please contact 0-2437-9445 or log on to www.tonkla.org