Overcoming the odds

       With determination, courage - and help from society - teenager Natida Chaiyasit won't |let a dreadful acid accident three years ago define the rest of her life
       As Natida Chaiyasit's life was falling apart from a horrendous acid accident three years ago, society came to her rescue.
       Even complete strangers did not leave Natida alone in her plight. They have given her help, moral support and at least Bt500,000. Through those caring hearts, Natida is rebuilding her life.
       Natida, whose nickname is "Mam", was just 13 years old when a bottle of acid exploded in her face.
       On that fateful day, Natida's aunt asked her to buy a bottle of acid for the family's rubber plantation.
       How it happened
       "I took my motorbike and bought the acid and an energy drink and put them in a plastic bag. My younger brother was holding the bag but he wanted to get off to see a friend, so then I balanced the bag on my knee with one hand and drove my bike with the other," said the girl.
       "As I was driving, the two bottles knocked together and shattered. The energy drink reacted with the acid, and that made everything explode in my face. I was knocked out. My aunt heard my bike crash and came rushing out. She drove me to my mum's house but she didn't know what to do.
       "My grandfather had an old truck so he tried to take me to hospital, but it ran out of petrol after one kilometre. Luckily some rescue people were nearby and they took me to the nearest hospital."
       Nurses helped cool the burns before transferring her to another hospital, where Natida regained consciousness.
       "When I woke up I couldn't see anything as they'd wrapped bandages around my face. I felt hot and numb," Natida said.
       She remained in hospital for 12 days and then faced the first of more than 20 operations. Doctors made her face swollen so they could use some of the excess skin to rebuild her features.
       Horrifically scarred
       Mam remembers seeing her face for the first time after the accident: she held a mirror up and instantly burst into tears as she realised her once-pretty face had been horrifically scarred.
       "It was terrible. I was with my mum and we both cried a lot. She held me and told me it didn't matter how I looked, she still loved me."
       Indeed, there were many problems to overcome. At night she was covered by a mosquito net so insects would not attack the dead skin. Her mouth was so badly burned she could only eat small pieces of food with a spoon. And on the first day of her returning to school, she felt shame when other children made fun of her appearance.
       However, teachers gathered students together and told them not to tease Natida.
       Society chips in
       The principal and the village leader also decided to launch an appeal to help pay for her hospital fees. As the family lived within the Khao Chamao National Park, the village leader placed a donation box near the entrance. One group heard about Natida and decided to e-mail everyone they knew. Soon the e-mail was being sent all around Thailand and kind-hearted strangers were sending donations.
       Before long, Bt500,000 was raised. Extra help came from Bangkok's Yanhee Hospital: it agreed to waive all future operation fees, expected to reach around Bt1 million.
       Doctors are confident they can restore 70 per cent of Natida's face.
       "I feel very happy so many people have helped me. I have many friends in my village and we play badminton and sing songs all the time. If people do stare at me I don't care, I can't change what has happened."
       Natida plans to study at university and eventually become a computer programmer.