During the week, Thanakorn “Anan” Luengpradit, 44, looks like a typical hard-working family man. He owns a small business fixing windows and wakes early to drop his 15-year-old son Geng off at school. Running his own business, Anan never turns down the chance to earn money, no matter how small or big the projects are.
On such days, Anan fulfils all his duties as the leader of the family. He gets sweaty all day in dirty old clothes that only get dirtier, driving a truck he has owned for more than a decade. He comes home every day in time to have dinner with his family. It’s an identity he doesn’t have to struggle to keep secret — like the others he will not be photographed out of costume, but in real life he is no Bruce Wayne.
But every weekend, this hard-working man throws his old clothes aside and slips into a skin-tight black outfit. He pulls on his gloves, fits the mask over his head and dons the black cape. Last, the yellow utility belt with a distinctive buckle snaps into place. Anan no more, he swings his leg over his bike and rides off as Batman.
ONE BRIGHT DAY, TWO DARK KNIGHTS
After the terror attack at the Erawan Shrine which left 20 dead, people were understandably wary of visiting the Ratchaprasong area. In late August, toy seller Kampanat “Pete” Junkaew, 29, stumbled across a plan to rebuild tourists’ trust.
Looking through Facebook as part of his daily routine, he saw a page that features people in different superhero gear. He contacted them and discovered there would be a gathering at the shrine at the end of August. With easy access to supplies — his nearby toy store — he built a Batman suit and went dressed as the Dark Knight. He was not alone.
Another Batman, a Robin, a Superman and Kamen Riders were there before Pete, and they were getting plenty of attention from the public. He walked right in and joined the group where he introduced himself to the other Batman. The day was a success: They made people happy and drew positive attention to the spot where the explosion took place.
“It felt so great to make other people happy,” Pete told his fellow superheroes with a big smile. “I have finally found what the purpose of my life is. I am destined to do this.”
Hearing this, the other Batman, Anan, invited Pete to be part of the group. Pete is now part of this league of extraordinary gentlemen who fight misery rather than crime. They are not there to kick butt a la Kick-Ass, but instead make society a happier place.
PREYING ON LAUGHTER
While some charity workers love helping people most, Pattapi “Golf” Sakunthanapat gets his satisfaction from making others smile and laugh.
The 36-year-old full-time motorcycle taxi driver and part-time delivery truck driver didn’t start off like other superheroes. Being on the streets of Bangkok all day is unpredictable, with a baking hot sun and clear traffic one day, and a wet, rainy nightmare of congestion the next. And no matter what the weather, Bangkok drivers always seem to get stressed easily.
Golf felt an obligation to make people around him happy, and it started simply enough. He modified his helmet to make it look funny, attaching cat ears, antennae and a pair of blond braids. The result was as expected: Golf received looks and laughter and many people would take snaps of him with their phone.
This continued until he found a helmet in the shape of those the predators wear in the films. This only attracted even more attention on the street. He became so visible a friend suggested he join Anan’s superheroes Facebook group. Soon enough, the predator on a motorcycle became an unlikely ally with Gotham’s greatest detective.
JUSTICE LEAGUE
Pete was bitten by the charity bug (not a radioactive spider) when he was in college. He joined volunteer camps to help build schools, donated to orphanages and helped people in need. After graduation, he looked for opportunities to donate his money or energy to others.
One thing he can’t abide is to see the underprivileged being treated unfairly or taken advantage of. When Pete saw the news about a dog being killed in Chon Buri, he couldn’t help but go there and campaign for justice. >>
>> If he sees a conflict between a man and a woman in a public place, he will step in to make sure no one gets hurt. He once drove a firefighter to a blaze on the back of his motorcycle while wearing his Batman outfit.
“For me, helping people is the greatest feeling in the world,” Pete explained. “I feel like I can do a lot more to help people when I am in the Batman outfit. I usually help people and leave the scene because I don’t want to claim the credit for what I did. Isn’t that what superheroes are supposed to be like?”
HERO AT HOME AND AWAY
Although he lacked the opportunity to study as high as he would have liked, Anan has tried to give his children the best start he can afford. Now they are growing up and are preparing to take care of themselves, Anan still feels the need to support children. This has spurred him and his friends to donate food and money to orphanages around Thailand.
While it is easy to please those in charge with donations, winning the children’s love is a little harder. The children are naturally wary of strangers, but Anan figured out how to easily win their hearts.
He picked a Batman outfit to wear while he bought a Masked Rider outfit for his son, Geng. When he returned to the orphanage, all the kids wanted to be around him. The first time he heard an orphan girl ask “Can I give you a hug?” his heart dropped and he started to cry. He realised how much the children needed that hug.
He formed the Thailand Volunteer Superheroes group on Facebook two months ago with 10 superheroes, and soon had 4,400 followers and other would-be heroes keen to join. They have since been visiting orphanages around Thailand, entertaining children for charity.
“Nothing makes me feel better than seeing a big smile on children’s faces and they know that they are loved,” Anan explained. “We will continue to do this until I can’t do it any more.”
Anan did attract some attention he didn't necessarily want when he made the news for paying his traffic fines in costume, but ultimately that has raised more awareness of his work. And there will always be one child who knows his real identity and still sees him as a superhero.
“I want to be just like my dad when I grow up,” Geng said. “I want to continue all my dad’s work and make sure that whatever he has started will not be wasted.”
SUPER POWER
- BATMAN ONE (Thanakorn, left): His super power is in his heart. He can produce love and spread it all around, especially to children as well as his family and friends.
- BATMAN TWO (Pete): He can read people’s minds through their actions and body language. He knows how to manipulate people in each situation. Mostly he tries to mediate any conflicts and help people as well as animals who are underprivileged.
- PREDATOR (Golf): He can control people’s emotions, especially their sense of humour. He can turn angry people into happy ones and put a smile back on their faces.
- MASKED RIDER (Geng): He is still in the process of finding and developing his super power. Though he is not the brightest kid in the class, Geng puts his heart and mind into everything he is doing and he gives it 100%. He is also Thanakorn’s proud legacy.
