The funeral of Mr. Pradit Mahathai, the father of the singer Jah Nongpanee, has been completed. After the ceremony, Jah gave an interview to the media, sharing about her father's kindness, who taught her to grow into the person she is today. His teachings have made Jah strong, and she said that throughout her life, her father has never failed in his role. At every stage, there has been this man who loves her the most.
“I said goodbye to my father for the last time and saw him for the final time to give him a kiss. I want to tell him that from now on, whenever Little Jah goes on stage, Dad must come and bless me at every show. Dad has to watch me sing and not worry about anything, but he has to bless me at every event.
Actually, both Dad and Mom always bless me when we go to concerts. But now Dad will bless Jah at every event. The greatest thing in my life is my Dad and Mom. They are the greatest in my life,” she said with a trembling voice.
Asked about her Instagram post saying they did a lot of merit-making together in this life and she believes they will be born as a family again in the next life?
“I believe that because the night before sleeping, I looked at photos and videos of Dad since we always took them. There were pictures of merit-making, observing precepts, photos of Dad blessing me, photos when Dad was sick, and me taking care of him—giving him medicine, bathing him, feeding him. I feel like we did a lot of merit-making together. We will meet again and do merit together again.”
Does her father plant trees so that when he’s gone, they will see them and remember him?
“Dad told the housekeeper, who told me, ‘Little Jah, do you know what your Dad said to me? He said, ‘Yao, do you know why I planted trees? Because my family often doesn’t get to be with me due to work, so I planted trees so that when I die, my children will see the trees and think of me.’” (She wept)
Is it like her father left things behind for them to remember him?
“At first, I thought Dad just liked planting trees, but I realized from what he told the housekeeper that his tree planting wasn’t just a hobby; it was so we would think of him. At our home in Bangkok, Dad stayed for 2-3 months and planted trees.
Before the accident, Dad planted a big variegated pothos plant for me and placed it in my bathroom. He asked, ‘Little Jah, how do you like it? Isn’t the pothos amazing?’ I said, ‘It’s amazing, Dad.’ Then Dad got hit by the car. The pothos in the bathroom, which was big, started to get smaller. I feel like I don’t want this pothos to disappear at all.”
Is it like Dad left his love everywhere in Jah’s life?
“Since I was a child coming home from school, Dad bought a piggy bank for me that couldn’t be opened from the bottom so I would fill it up. When it was full, Dad took me to deposit 100 or 200 baht at a time at the bank. I remember Dad took me to the bank since I was little. It was like he taught me to save money and work. My life is 100% because of Dad and Mom, so everything makes sense now.”
She is who she is today because of her father. How does she want to thank him?
“I thank Dad for everything—from giving birth to me to never failing in being a father. On the day of the accident, Dad was buying food for me. The image I saw was the accident happening right in front of my house. I ran out just in time and saw the soy milk Dad was going to buy—he always bought two bags a day. Before I sang, Dad drank one bag and opened the other for me. I saw the soy milk, the food, and the garland he always bought to offer to my grandfather before I went to sing.
Dad never failed in being a father. From the days when we had no money, Dad was the head of the family who taught and stood by me. When I was ‘Jah Kan Hu’ (Jah itchy ear), the first time I faced a lot of drama, Dad called me and said, ‘Little Jah, come home. I want to hug you.’ At every stage, there has been a man who loves me the most.”
Many have praised Jah for fulfilling her role as a daughter perfectly?
“I have to thank everyone who came to the funeral and for every wreath. Thank you to all the social media supporters who truly embraced me. Actually, I’m not that strong, but I love Dad the most, so his words will always stay with me. ‘Little Jah, be strong. If anything happens to me, you have to take care of Mom and everyone.’ Dad’s words are always in my mind.”
Her mother cried inconsolably. Will she bring her mother to live with her in Bangkok?
“Mom doesn’t want to live in Bangkok; she wants to stay with her siblings. But I will say I have to bring her to Bangkok for a month or two so the feelings can fade a little. When I have free time from concerts, I will go back to stay with Mom in Ang Thong.”
Her mother cried a lot. How much does she worry about her mother?
“Right now, the thing I worry about the most is Mom because our life is missing Dad, and only Mom is left. I want Mom to be strong.”
“Dad never showed weakness. The only thing he said was, ‘Don’t be too upset. Stay mindful. Take care of Mom and everyone.’ That’s all he asked. He didn’t leave anything else.”
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