Monosus Thailand Memories Photo Diary

How is everyone doing in 2018? I am Miyagawa, manager of Monosus Thailand (hereinafter Monosus Thailand).

The effects of the severe cold wave raging in Japan have reached faraway Thailand, where chilly (or comfortable?) days have continued since mid-December, unusual for a tropical country with perpetual summer. There were days when the temperature dropped to 15°C in the morning, and in Bangkok, where temperatures usually fluctuate between 25°C and 35°C, it was the first time in about two years that it was this chilly.

It has already been about three weeks since the New Year, but Christmas decorations are still up in the streets of Thailand, and photography-loving Thai people are enjoying taking photos with the illuminations as a backdrop.

Monotai staff are no exception to this love of photography. The image at the top of this article is from our year-end party, but the committee members stayed at the office every night making speech bubbles, so I wondered what they were for. It turns out they were for this photo shoot (laughs).
This time, we will look back on memories of 2017 with some memorable photos from last year selected by Monotai staff.

Monosus Thailand 2017
Memorable photos of Monotai members

The first speaker was chosen by Ms. Akamine, a director loved by everyone and known as "Mom".

Akamine: On the plane departing from our company trip to Koh Samui. The excited smiles that we don't see at work were so refreshing and cute!

May-chan is quiet and reserved at work. This photo conveys her excitement for the company trip, which will be her first trip far away with everyone in her second year at the company. What a great smile!

Next up is Bird, a coder who is second to none when it comes to WordPress. When his child was born in February last year, everyone gave him baby goods as presents.

Bird: This was my first trip abroad with Mona (8 months old), who was born last year. We prayed at a temple in Ngong Ping, a popular tourist spot in Hong Kong.

They look so happy! Looking at them makes me want to get married. His wife has a lovely, calm smile.

Next up is the powerful girl in a monotai, Director Machiyama Yurika, who also won the Skill Improvement Grand Prize at the company's year-end awards.

Machiyama: On a camping trip to Khao Yai with Nu-kun (right) and Prem-kun (center), who retired for the second time last year. It was an exciting overnight trip immersed in English and Thai with the multinational students in the English class.

The three of us, who occasionally taught each other English on weekends, are still good friends even though we work in different places. Prem sometimes pops into the office and always leaves positive words for us who are tired from working overtime. "Thanks for always cheering me up!"

Machiyama: When I went back to my hometown, I found a photo of my parents when they were in their twenties. They really do look alike!

They are truly parents and children, and they look alike. The happy photos are heartwarming.

Mong, who is good at JavaScript and has recently become more fashion-conscious, chooses a scene from everyday life. When the sun goes down, the pleasant sound of a guitar always echoes through the office.

Mong: Music is what we enjoy after work. We have a warm atmosphere and spend time together like family, not just coworkers. Tae (guitar), Tun (front), Bird (back)

Always calm and sensitive, this is a heartbreakingly kind choice for Nu.

Nu: Sunset on Koh Samui. I was so happy to be able to spend time together with everyone, walking along the coast and talking during our company trip.

Nu: This is a commemorative photo of our interpreter, Waan, when she left the company to go to Japan. Every time I look at this photo, I remember that we weren't just colleagues. I feel a sincerity like brothers and sisters, or family, and it really touches me.

Oil-chan, a veteran who has been with the company for almost five years, has a cute voice and chose a photo taken during a company trip.

Oil: Dinner during the company trip to Koh Samui. We talked about a lot of different things and got to know each other better.

Ploy is a cheerful girl who loves to joke around and is actually a reliable person who is highly trusted by the directors.

Ploy: A big present. A new house I bought two years ago. I'm very proud that I was able to buy this house. When I think about the years of mortgage, it motivates me to work harder! (laughs)

Ploy: My family runs a store, so on weekends I go shopping with my mother at Macro. When I ask my mother if she's buying a lot this time, she always answers, "I won't buy that much." But by the time we line up at the cash register, the cart is already piled high.

Ploy: The medal I received at my first marathon. Before I ran, I thought to myself, "I can't do this! I'll definitely give up halfway through!" But I managed to complete the race! I can do it too! It's a short distance though. Yay!

Tae-kun is a rising star who has won both the quarter MVP and "Rookie of the Year" awards since joining the team last July. He is bringing a new wind to Monotai.

Tae: The morning of my first day at Monosus. I had actually received a job offer from another company a few days before. However, on the day I was to sign the employment contract with that company, I received a call from Monosus saying that I had been accepted, so I immediately declined the offer. The reason was that during my interview at Monosus, I saw the staff working happily and felt that the atmosphere was more like a home than a workplace. So on the morning of my first day at work, I was excited and happy to be able to work here!

Tun, everyone's favorite and mood maker, has posted a lovely photo of him with his girlfriend, as well as an anecdote that reveals his personality.

Tun: An unusual couple photo. It's a commemorative photo taken at a restaurant to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We became friends in the sixth grade, became close in the first year of middle school, and started dating in the second half of our third year of middle school. We've overcome many happy and sad times together. We almost think of each other as half of the other. I can't imagine a life without her.

Tun: On the way to her house that day, I saw a woman on a motorbike drop her mobile phone. It was run over by two taxis before I could pick it up, but I managed to pick it up, swapped the SIM card into my own, and called the number registered to it. I was able to get through to her friend and somehow return it.
I think I was lucky to have found it. It was an iPhone 6+, and if it had been someone else, they might have just taken it. I'm glad I was able to help!

Tong is a reliable leader on the coding team. He was awarded the annual MVP last year.

Apparently the 1.5 hour speedboat ride from Koh Samui to Koh Tao during a company trip was pretty tough (laughs). I remember nearly being thrown off the boat by the force of the upward thrust from below.

Tong: Upon arriving at Koh Tao. I will never take a speedboat to get far again. (Tong: fourth from the left)

Finally, here is a photo from a marathon held on a holiday. Seven members of our company participated in a marathon held in Bangkok. You can see the sense of exhilaration and accomplishment they felt after finishing the race.

Tong: If it's not work-related, I'll go out even if it's early in the morning. I got up at 3am to participate in a marathon that started at 5am.

Cherish the ordinary days

Even so, everyone is really close. Each photo is filled with each person's feelings, so it's a shame that I can't show them all.
Busy days will continue as we approach the end of the fiscal year, but I hope to enjoy each and every day and not miss the unexpected moments that we tend to overlook in our daily lives, making this a year in which I can take some great photos.
I hope 2018 will be a good year for everyone.
All Monotai staff look forward to your continued support this year!