Upon their arrival at the Dusit Thani hotel, participants were dressed up in traditional Thai clothing, golden scarves and loose bright red trousers, holding a sign with their respective last names for their first souvenir photograph. They arrived thrilled, as this was a homecoming of a sort for them. Female staff welcomed them with orchid necklaces before the ceremony began.
From countries such as Australia, Finland and Canada, they were all participants for the "8th Nativeland". The programme has been running for over two decades and it invites adoptive families to bring their children back to their homeland.
"We organise the programme every three to four years, and the adoptive families are always very thrilled and happy to come back", said Jane Anchalee, who is responsible for international adoptions in Thailand.
The aim of this programme is to make all adoptees proud of their "Thainess", to help them learn more about their culture and realise that there is nothing to hide or be afraid of when it comes to their past. According to Chintana Watcharakul from Thailand's Child Adoption Centre, all children in the homes are either orphaned or stateless and that as an organisation, they provide parents with the history of the adopted child beforehand.
Kerstin Cedenheim, case officer for Sweden's Adoptionscentrum, believes the Nativeland programme is "an opportunity for the kids to feel stronger, more confident and proud of being born in Thailand". This year only four Swedish families took part in the programme, however Sweden comes third among the countries with the highest number of Thai adoptees.
"One parent I talked with was very moved," Kerstin said. "He came up to me and said, 'It's we, the adoptive parents, who have to thank the Thais for organising this programme, not vice versa'."
The first visit was held in 1992, and just 48 people took part from 24 adoptive families and 10 different countries. Over time, as the programme persisted, more people attended. This year, over 400 people from 15 different countries flew to Thailand for the week-long festivities that occurred around the country. The visit included, among the highlights, a reception with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and a trip to the northern Thai region of Chiang Mai, visiting traditional markets and temples as well as getting a taste of the delicious local cuisine.
A unique aspect of the Nativeland visit is that it is almost a one-of-a-kind. Korea is currently the only other country which is committed to organising regular visits for adoptive families. "Only the Thai and Korean governments organise visits to the adopted kids' homelands at the moment," confirmed Cristiana Carella, who takes care of International adoptions for CIAI, Italy's biggest adoption centre. "The first trip was held in Korea in 1985 and since then we have always supported such visits, as we believe that a trip back to one's origins is a fundamental step in the life of every adopted child and their adoptive family".
This reunion is indeed special for both adopted kids and their families, giving both a chance to discover more about Thailand's culture and their past. For many, the 8th Nativeland was a touching experience, which brought feelings of joy and pride.
Visiting the homes for infants, where the children were once taken care of, is what many of the adoptees brought up as memorable and unforgettable experiences. Observing first-hand the way in which all babies and kids in the homes are treated with love, made many feel grateful to Thailand for its fantastic dedication in taking care of them before being adopted.
"Meeting my caretaker was the most beautiful thing which happened during this year's Nativeland," said Simon Nordlander, now 18 and adopted by a Swedish family. "She did not recognise me initially, until I gave her a picture with me as a baby. She freaked out a bit and held me as tight as ever." For many families and kids, this year's programme was not the first Nativeland visit they attended. Many of the kids return as adults, and experience their homeland with a deeper understanding.
"Now that I am at an age to understand and acknowledge what it means to be Thai, I am incredibly proud to be from this beautiful country," said Kim Wilson, currently living in Scotland. "The Nativeland programme makes me feel part of something and I love it so much."
For the parents as well, joining the Nativeland visit is an important step in their life as a part of an adoptive family. Andi Lynch from the United Kingdom described how this year's Nativeland reunion was the most important they have attended so far. His two adopted daughters, now 13 and 17, fully understood what the purpose of the visit was about. He emphasised Thailand's excellent dedication in making its adopted kids strong and proud.
"Adopted children can lack hugely in self-confidence, but Thailand makes them feel like they are the most important kids in the world and this hugely boosts their self-esteem. I cannot describe how special the reunion is and the positive impact it has had upon us all: Thailand gave us our family, the most precious gift anyone could give," he said.
Kenda Tomes, mother of an adopted girl living in Missouri, USA, emphasised how meeting other adoptive families and sharing common experiences is one of the perks of the Nativeland visits. Her daughter, Aree, described the reunion as a life-changing experience which helped her realise the importance of maintaining both Thai culture and the one of her adoptive country.
"Joining the Nativeland visit allowed me to meet kids just like me, talk to them about their Thai heritage and what it means to be adopted.
"But most importantly, I learned that I don't have to be 50% Thai and 50% American. I can be 100% of both."
Nativeland 2015 visitors at a reception in Bangkok.
