Fate has had a dynamic role in the evolution of the Rolin family that has transcended centuries and marks the members of the Belgium nobility with an intimate relationship with Thailand. Beginning with the arrival of Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns to Bangkok in the mid-eighteenth century as general adviser to His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), the family's influence continues today with the presence of Count Gerald van der Straten Ponthoz, who resides in Chiang Rai and educates hill tribe children to ensure them a stable future in Thailand.

These two men's actions demonstrate how they have dedicated themselves to a foreign culture, assimilating their Western values into Asian traditions, ultimately creating a cross-cultural symbiosis of international mindsets. Through a string of coincidences that introduced them to Thailand, they have successfully revealed a humanitarian ideology in their role as foreigners in Asia.

"Total coincidence brought me to Thailand. Seven years ago, I was looking to buy a house in Mexico City. However, I lost that opportunity. Upon returning to Barcelona, where I was living at the time, I met up with a group of friends and there was a Thai man with us. He invited me to visit Thailand," Ponthoz remembered.

"I told him that I would come to Thailand only if he took me to places where tourists did not go. So instead of the usual trips to Phuket or Koh Samui, I ended up in the Northeast of Thailand. So, it is coincidence that I missed the chance to purchase a house in one part of the world, and this brought me to the opposite side of the world."

This experience introduced him to Thailand, for prior to this trip he had never been to Asia, nor expressed an interest in the region. Growing up as nobility in Belgium, Ponthoz acknowledged that while he was aware of his ancestor's accomplishments and saw his face in the family's photo albums, the significance of the past did not interest him much at the time.

"Since I was a child, I have seen his photos in albums, but I must admit that I was not interested in him until recently. My presence in this country is another coincidence that made me aware of my ancestor's influence in Asia," he remarked. Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns was descended from Ponthoz's grandmother's side of the Rolin family tree on his father's side.

Alongside his efforts to aid hill tribe children, Ponthoz is the author of the limited-edition book on his ancestor titled Chao Phya Abhai Raja Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns, which details his life and is supplied with a generous number of photographs to further acknowledge the influence the diplomatic adviser had on Thai-Belgian relations at that time in history.

The book is not for purchase. However, Ponthoz exclaimed that when a donation is made to any of his charitable projects, the donor receives a complimentary edition. Chanchai Likhitjitta, Jan Matthysen and Arak Sanghitakul are notable individuals who have contributed their thoughts in small essays located throughout the book.

Ponthoz acknowledged that he now views his ancestor as a doppelganger and silent witness to his own philanthropy in Thailand. He said that his upbringing and his education in the duties that come with a noble title have had a great influence upon his personal actions as an individual, and this has a dramatic role in his decision to educate hill tribe children. Over the years, Ponthoz has received support from the Rotarians of Taweeheng Leasing and the Rotary Club of Mae Chaem.

However, he said that this change in paradigm was a learning experience taught by his parents, for, as a child of nobility, he was accustomed to a privileged lifestyle. Although nowadays the titles granted by the monarchy are an archaic custom, and only the duties continue to be performed, he emphasized that there was still a separation in hierarchy between the economic status of nobility and regular citizens. Ponthoz said that these duties concentrated on modesty and helping one another, as well as protecting the monarchy and supporting the government.

"When I was a child, my parents always told me that I was nobody special, and made me to go to school on public buses like other children," he said with a laugh, remembering how he disliked the public transportation, especially during the snowy winters. "But my parents said that to me all the time, and I believe that they gave me a good education, because even though I am privileged, I can do everything like other people."

This realisation that he was an ordinary citizen enabled him to leave home at 17 years of age and pursue his dreams and goals without the distractions of a privileged upbringing. Throughout those years, he had a nomadic existence living in friends' homes and experiencing a "hand-to-mouth" way of life where money was scarce. He learned to become independent.

"I don't often speak about my past, but when I was 17 years old, I decided to make a life for myself. My parents told me that I could leave if I wanted to, but that they would not help me any more. So, for two to four years, I was without any money," he said.

"When you come from a privileged environment and then have no money, you learn many things. This is related to my commitment to the hill tribe children, because if there is one group of people whom I can understand, it is the hill tribe people. When I see somebody who is young with no home or money, and is willing to fight, then I understand, and the more I want to help them. I try to help many of these children with their professional lives because it is about making revenues and earning a living."

Ponthoz's recent addition to his philanthropic activities is the Baan Rao House located in Chaing Rai, which acts as a stable learning environment for hill tribe children. He said that there is no one particular hill tribe group that he concentrates on. Instead, he views each child as a separate being with his or her own destiny that is not adhered to cultural upbringing or economic status.

"I believe that in this world you must have a lot of knowledge, and you must go to find where the knowledge is located. And, of course, you must always learn new things," he said.

Apart from the standardised classes that include pottery and learning of languages, Ponthoz also has included violin lessons in the curriculum, and he admits that this addition has raised many eyebrows among Thais and foreigners alike. The boarding school has 950 students, and he said that these students come from extremely poor families.

"Life in the 21st century is difficult if you're not better than, or different from, someone else, and that makes it difficult to succeed. I am not a musician, but I believe that by introducing the violin to the children, I can make them different, and now they are different and this makes them unique in the world," he added

"Some children stay at the school up for 10 years, and they know only the mountains and the school. So, one of the main goals is to launch them into the future and to learn how to subsidise their careers. One former student now has a shop at the Chiang Rai night bazaar."

Utilising business finesse, Ponthoz has now created a small orchestra among hill tribe children, and they have performed at five-star hotels, as well as for His Majesty the King and at the Belgium Embassy in Bangkok. He is proud that with this ability to play the violin, the children have the means to earn their own living and create a stable financial future for their families and for themselves, too.

These seemingly small endeavours create a sound future as well as develop character for the children, because they teach them that they are the sole instigators of their lives, and this realisation gives them the freedom to dream and achieve great things.

Ponthoz exclaimed that he is a man of the 21st century and that it is essential to not hinder an individual because of economic or cultural status, because whether rich or poor each person should be given the same opportunities to excel and grow.

"I think that I am an international resident of the world, and that allows me many experiences in many different fields. I feel that I have been very lucky, and I want to share this luck with people. I think that at the end of the day it's about knowledge and learning new things, and this is why I want to help others," he said.

To make donations and contact Count Gerald van der Straten Ponthoz, go to his web site at htpp:/www.insiithaihouse.com.