Finding the rhythm of life

There's more to life than making money and building a career. Happiness can also be had from sharing experiences, offering others opportunities and fulfilling your own dreams. So says young executive Chumpol Techakraisri.

Apart from working hard in his family's business, this young and active guy has another side to his life, and it involves an unusual style of music.

Chumpol, 28, is one of only two Thais to have been a member of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, in the US. It's rated in the top six drum and bugle corps in the world. After playing with the corps for a year, he felt he was really benefiting from the experience.

"It's more than music," he says. "I believe many things in life can't be learned in schools. School is just one part of your education."

So, upon returning to Thailand, he dedicated himself to developing a local bugle corps. He is now a founder and director of the Siamyth Drum and Bugle Corps - Thailand's one and only bugle outfit.

"Nobody asked me to do it," he says. "I didn't do it for reputation or money, but because I had got such good things from bugling and wanted to share the benefits with others."

He might be one of those rare people who can make significant achievements in two separate fields, in his case business and music.

But like everyone else, he has just 24 hours in a day, so he has to manage his time carefully.

"If I choose to do more than others, that means I have to accept that I will be tired."

But every time he talks about his drum and bugle corps, any lingering fatigue is chased away by the spontaneous enthusiasm that lights up his eyes.

"I think that anyone who works and has money should do something like this. It's up to each individual, whether they do something extra now, or in the future. I choose to start today."

By Suwicha Chanitnun

The Nation