At the cremation ceremony Ray MacDonald The atmosphere was filled with sadness and mourning from people across various fields. Among those attending the final farewell since early morning was Arm Supachai Jaided the Thai national team striker and Buriram United player, who revealed he almost couldn't attend due to training commitments but thanked Buriram United for understanding and allowing him to pay his last respects.
Arm shared a lesser-known story that Ray MacDonald adopted him at age 9 after meeting in Pattani and had been his steadfast supporter ever since.
“Today I’m here to send off P'Ray for the last time. At first, I almost couldn’t come because of training duties at the club. I’m grateful to Buriram United for recognizing the importance and permitting me to attend. I tried to help as much as I could with the event to make it run smoothly and to do my best. Most of the ideas came from P'Pele; I just helped carry some things and assisted P'Pele.”
Were you able to say a prayer for P'Ray since today is the final day?
“Actually, I thought about him all the time. In the past 2-3 days helping with the event, I didn’t feel anything at first because I was with many others and the team. But yesterday, after returning to training in Buriram and being alone, I couldn’t help but miss him. It was overwhelming, so today I came to send him off for the last time.”
How are you managing your feelings since many others have had to take sleeping medication?
“When I’m in Bangkok, I’m with my wife and child, so I’m not alone and don’t have much time to dwell. But when I’m alone, I feel the longing and anxiety that today is the last day. It’s heartbreaking, but I try to keep my emotions in check.”
Previously, there was a touching photo of your son kissing a standee of P'Ray?
“Actually, my son was just walking around the event. While the ceremony was ongoing inside, I took him outside. We often met P'Ray, and my son frequently played at his home with Mika and P'Ray and P'Hmam, so there’s a close bond. When he saw the standee, he kissed it. At first, it surprised me.
But by the 2nd or 3rd time, I started telling him to kiss there. The first time he kissed it naturally without being told. I told him we were saying goodbye to Uncle Ray, visiting him. He must remember and feel close since he often played soccer with Mika and P'Ray and P'Ray had congratulated me at the hospital when my son was born.”
Many people have only just learned that you are P'Ray's adopted son?
“Actually, very few knew except us and our families. I think he was proud of me, and I always tried to do my best. I never told anyone that P'Ray adopted me.”
Can you recall where P'Ray first met you?
“In Pattani, where I used to play football as usual at home. He had the GOAL Together Cup project from the show he once played in. He opened opportunities for underprivileged youth, selecting players to compete in the tournament to give them experience they wouldn’t usually have compared to kids in Bangkok.”
It seems P'Ray focused on you during the show, noticing you were 9 years old playing against 11-year-olds?
“He was actually worried about me because I was the youngest and had to play with older kids who were physically bigger. He feared I might get injured or overexerted. I tried my best, and eventually, they held meetings and selected me. I then worked hard to perform well.”
How proud do you think P'Ray was of you?
“I believe he was proud. There’s still room to improve, so I’m committed to doing my best. After this, I want to care more for P'Hmam and Mika whenever possible.”
What words did he say to you?
“Yes, he always told me to be humble and live life valuing every word he spoke. Everything was true and applicable in daily life.”
How did P'Ray’s philosophy change your life?
“He constantly taught me to be modest, respectful to everyone, and not to criticize others. He encouraged me to focus on my strengths and do my best in every task assigned.”
When your form dipped, P'Ray would encourage and boost your morale?
“Yes, but he didn’t just cheer. He knew I faced many football challenges whenever I visited him, so he often changed the subject to help me relax and enjoy our time together. Every visit was comforting.”
When he took you from Pattani to Bangkok as his adopted son, did you have any worries or how did you decide to go with him?
“At that time, I didn’t think much. I just wanted to play football and saw he was offering me an opportunity. I didn’t know when another chance like this would come, so I grabbed it. I wasn’t sure about my future or my family’s situation in the south.”
I realized I wanted to support myself and, if I got a scholarship in Bangkok, ease my parents’ burden since we were poor. I struggled to help my family as much as I could.
At first, my parents didn’t allow me to come because I was very young, and life in Bangkok is difficult and risky for a 10-year-old. But after talking with P'Ray, he spoke with my parents and tried every way to help me follow my dream. I’m very grateful to have met him.”
Did you have shared goals, like discussing where you wanted to reach?
“We took it step by step. When I first came to Bangkok, I tried out at Pathumkongka School. After being selected, the next step was to enter the Changpeuk athlete quota to live in the school dorm, saving on expenses and travel.
Everything progressed gradually. From school football, I moved to Osotspa club, which pushed me further. Then from Osotspa to Buriram, and they kept encouraging me not to stop, to keep developing. I reached the U-19 national team and was reminded to keep going every time we talked. Then to the U-23 and senior national team. After that, I had to maintain my standards at Buriram United as a key measure.
My next dream is to play abroad someday, which hasn’t happened yet, but I’m working hard to get there.”
Is this drive partly from wanting to make P'Ray proud, for yourself and your family?
“Yes, it’s always been from him. Whenever I have opportunities, I want to do my best and keep improving. Since coming from Pattani, he emphasized constantly to enhance and build on my skills.”
Does P'Ray call or message you before important Thailand matches?
“I usually visit him because he was busy. I never wanted to bother him personally. I mostly talked with P'Hmam. Visiting P'Hmam didn’t always mean seeing P'Ray since he was often working, but I went often.”
Did he come to cheer at matches?
“He didn’t dare come to the stadium. He once said when he watched on TV and we lost, he preferred not to watch and just checked results later. He’d watch highlights and discuss the games with P'Hmam. If I lost, he’d avoid watching.”
Do you have a goal to win trophies this year?
“Of course. I must work hard to defend the club championship and represent the national team whenever possible.”
People admire P'Ray for creating resources for the Thai national team and professional footballers. How do you want to thank him now?
“I already thank him every day. While he was alive, I tried to fulfill my roles as son, younger brother, and friend to the best of my ability, repaying him as much as I can.”
If P'Ray hadn’t met you in Pattani, do you think you’d be successful today?
“No, definitely not. At that age, I wouldn’t know where fate would take me. Staying there made it hard to develop myself. I’m very thankful to P'Ray. Today, as I say goodbye, I wish him a peaceful journey wherever he’s headed. We will always remember and think of him.”
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