A Calgary journalist who was shot and wounded while covering the anti-government protests in Bangkok, has met the Thai man who saved his life. "I don't know what to tell somebody that saved my life. I've never done it before. It's difficult to say. I hope when I'm out of the hospital we can be friends", said Nelson Rand. Rand was working with the France 24 television network, when he was hit by three bullets earlier this month in Bangkok during a showdown between protesters and the army. Earlier this week, a Thai TV station arranged for a reunion between Rand and Oan Thirawat, 25. Thirawat, who was among the Red shirt protestors and a complete stranger to Rand, risked his own life to drag Rand to a motorcycle and then to a hospital. "I wanted to help him after the first time he was shot but the soliders were still shooting" Thirawat said. "I had to duck. I was thinking I had to help him because it's my job". Rand took three bullets to his chest, though he lost a lot of blood doctors say he should recover from his wounds. "I felt happy that I saved one life", Oan said. Rands parents flew to Bangkok to meet their son and said "Without the assistance of Oan, he wouldn't be with us today".Nelson Rand is a very lucky man. After taking three bullets to the chest, and being stranded in the middle of a riot, the chances of him living at that point were very low. If it weren't for Oan Nelson, Rand would be dead. Nelson would have needed immediate medical attention and most likely would not have received it if it weren't for Oan. Personally I am surprised on how Oan would risk his own life to save someone he didn't even know. Oan would of had to risk his own life, going into the "heart" of the riot to rescue Nelson. Oan should be proud of what he did as most people who were in his position would choose to run away from the riot. He did the opposite and went in to save a person in need. In conclusion, Nelson Rand should feel very lucky to be alive, and should give thanks to Oan Thirawat for saving his life.
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/05/28/rand-thailand.html
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