Entering a mortuary, one would naturally expect to see _ apart from corpses _ doctors, nurses or perhaps policemen. It is hard to imagine why a person who does not absolutely need to be there would be in that room, and it is most certainly an odd sight to see a well-known actress.
Her presence, bursting with exuberance, liveliness and cheerfulness, brings colour to the otherwise grim room.
But for medical staff at Ramathibodi Hospital, it is nothing out of the ordinary to see Nauvarat Yuktanan walking around, assisting patients and their families _ and lately, putting make-up on the cold faces lying in the morgue. In fact, the renowned actress, who has starred in more than 100 movies and soap operas during her 40-year career, has been around the hospital for the past four years, with the sole purpose of putting a smile on people's faces.
"I came to the hospital one day as a patient, sitting and waiting just like everyone else. I saw so many people, most of them in worse conditions than myself. Some were crying, some were looking very sad and hopeless. I wished there was something I could do to at least help them feel better," recalled Nauvarat of that fateful day four years ago, before she embarked on her charitable journey of helping the unwell at the hospital.
When she had recovered, she came back to see her doctor and said she wanted to help. At first, being an actress, doubts and scepticism overshadowed her strong will, and people did not quite believe she meant business.
"Actresses are often associated with being flaky and flamboyant. Some would think I was faking my desire to help just because I wanted compliments. I didn't care. I did it anyway," Nauvarat said.
She started by guiding people to places, as she had experienced that lost feeling before when she first came to the hospital.
"A lot of patients come from other provinces and they are not familiar with the hospital. I accompany them to the right places, so they don't have to feel lost and lonely," she explained.
Sometimes she would sing to the people sitting at the waiting area because she knew there could be a long wait and there isn't much to do to kill boredom. The actress admitted her voice might be off key, but it doesn't matter, as long as the people are entertained.
From putting a smile on sick people's faces, now she is doing something more _ putting make-up on faces of those who have passed away.
"It was quite an accidental twist of fate. I actually passed the mortuary without knowing what it was, and something told me to open the door, just out of curiosity. I saw a dead body lying all alone in the room, and I felt really sad that a person who was about to embark on a long journey to an unknown destination was left alone.
"If I were about to start a long trip, I would at least want someone to wish me well," Nauvarat explained.
That night, she lay awake thinking how she could help the dead, whom most people might feel they no longer need help because they are not breathing, they have passed on.
Nauvarat, who believes that the soul is still alive when the body is not, came up with an idea to put make-up on their faces. "Who wouldn't want to look fresh before such an important journey?" she asked.
Not that she wasn't scared _ she was petrified the first time she touched a dead body. But gradually, she was comfortable with working with them, and even talking to them. Through her work with the deceased, she also became enlightened about life.
"I've seen old people, teenagers, adults and even young children, all ending up on this metal bed, and I realised that life is very fragile. I put make-up on over 10 bodies a month and it is a constant reminder that everyone, including myself and my loved ones, could be gone any day. I should do my best and be the best I can to the people around me," said Nauvarat.
She has been helping with make-up in the mortuary for about two years now, and she has received both praise and criticism, neither of which has any effect on her determination.
"I stand on my own two feet, so it doesn't matter to me if people think I'm doing something good or bad," said Nauvarat.
"All I want is to be there for the people who are going to an unknown place after their life has ended, and I think they wouldn't want to be alone. They should also look as good as possible _ not ridiculously over the top, especially for men, but with colour to their face that would make their loved ones look at them and not feel like they are staring at a pale dead body, but instead watching him or her sleeping."
Interestingly, Nauvarat admitted to being explicitly scared of ghosts, and anyone around her would know that.
"I guess it's because when I was little, grown-ups liked to say things like if I was a bad girl, ghosts would come to break my neck and such," she revealed.
"I am afraid of ghosts, but strangely, dead bodies are not scary for me at all. They are people who need a friend, and I am happy to be there for them in their final moment."
* Friend at final moment in video
