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Published on January 19, 2008

Just a few minutes into the New Year and her life turns 180 degrees, from complete happiness to sheer terror.

It's New Year's Eve, and Jantima "Beer" Ringpha is waiting for a taxi on Rachadaphisek with her friends. They've enjoyed a New Year's party, celebrating not only the arrival of 2008, but also the new restaurant they've worked so hard to open.

The second Bangkok branch of Coyote, the restaurant, which opened in December, required months of preparation. As executive chef, Beer has had to hone her culinary skills. She enjoys cooking Mexican food, but with a new menu in place and new staff, she's had to bring all her experience and concentration into play.

Born in Chantaburi, Beer, 38, has been a chef almost all her life. She hasn't been to culinary school, but has learned from chefs, both Thai and expat, at restaurants where she's worked. Bobbie's Arms, Charlie's and now Coyote have been her universities.

The work hasn't been easy, but Beer has been a quick learner - developing an eye for detail and an understanding of the ingredients of different cuisines. A restaurant kitchen can be a madhouse, but she maintains a tranquillity that brings out the best in the staff.

She feels responsible for the people she works with, and so, on New Year's Eve, she's the one to hail the taxi that will take them home. As she steps off the curb to wave it down, her friends start screaming, "Come back! Come back!"

She doesn't hear them, nor does she see the Mercedes-Benz that comes around the taxi. It knocks her down, hurling her into the street. The driver doesn't stop. She's nearly unconscious and unable to move when another car, a taxi, runs over her. That driver tries to escape as well, but her body is caught in the wheels and the car stalls.

Her friends are horrified, certain that she's been killed. Members of the Por Teck Yoo Foundation, the ones who assist at accident sites, are also sure she's dead, but when they pull her out, they realise that she's breathing and rush her to the hospital.

There the doctor finds that she's suffering a concussion, her knee has been injured, and her muscles have been strained from her waist to her thigh.

She remains in hospital less than a week. Six days later, she's back in her kitchen, working as best she can as she hobbles around with a crutch.

"The accident happened," she says with a shrug. "Now I can go on."

Talk about an unflappable lady!

Laurie Rosenthal

The Nation