Thiti’s Pathway: Engineering the Sound of Compassion

Thiti has spent the last 16 years building things—sometimes with Lego, sometimes with wires and motors. Now, as he prepares to leave Bangkok Patana for the world of mechanical engineering in the United States, he reflects on a journey grounded in curiosity, community and a voice that found its sound through song.

“I’ve always liked building things,” Thiti says, a grin flickering across his face. “Whether it was Lego, Thomas the Tank Engine, or designing in D+T class, it’s something that’s just been part of me.” But his path wasn’t always linear. “I kind of got lost for a while. I was happy doing anything. Year 7 to Year 9, I didn’t know what I really wanted yet.” It wasn’t until his IGCSEs, during Design Technology, that the fog began to lift. “That class sparked something. That creative spark, mixed with logic, is what brought me to mechanical engineering.” But his vision of engineering wasn’t limited to bridges or engines. Thiti saw something deeper—he saw music. “Music stuck with me for a long time,” he says. “I sang in the jazz band, and that got me thinking about audio and sound therapy. Imagine engineering noise-cancelling headphones not just for convenience, but for mental health. That’s the kind of impact I want to make.”

From Nursery to Year 13, Bangkok Patana has been Thiti’s second home. “It hasn’t hit me yet,” he admits, “I still feel so connected here.” Primary School memories linger: Math challenges, Migration Day and the thrill of seeing older students guide the younger children. “That’s what inspired me to become a Senior Delegate later on,” he says.

But it was the jazz band that changed everything. “I never thought I’d be a jazz singer. In Year 8, Mr Larking saw me in an informal concert and said, ‘You’re going to be someone one day.’ That was the start.” Initially, walking into the jazz room was daunting. “I was terrified. The other guys were older, more experienced. I stumbled a lot. I was more of a classical singer then,” Thiti says, laughing, “I used to hold on to my chest while singing, as a safe spot and still do sometimes.” He credits Mr Larking as the mentor who helped him open up. “He taught me how to move, how to engage an audience. I idolise him. He’s the reason I’m comfortable in my own skin now.”

But Thiti’s most tangible impact may be through Mini Movers, a club he founded to design and build ride-on cars for children with disabilities. “We added shock absorption, portable steering and battery mods,” he explains, eyes lighting up, “Our designs were made for kids with lower-body inhibition. Watching them smile, laugh, even warn each other not to crash—those are moments I’ll never forget.” The project gained traction when the Governor of Bangkok visited and later partnered with Thiti’s team. “We donated five cars the first year, then eight more recently with Bangkok Metropolitan support. Seeing kids use them—it felt like everything paid off.”

His compassion echoes in his involvement with We Love, an outreach group that brings music and art to underfunded schools. “At Sawatwit and Downton Elementary, we teach crafts, games and carols during Christmas,” he shares. “These schools have instruments, but they don’t always have access to the same experience. We bring that joy.”

Whether it’s mechanical precision or musical expression, Thiti sees it all as one continuum of creativity and care. “You can learn to sing perfectly,” he says, “but can you connect with people? That’s what I want to do—use engineering, use sound, to connect and to heal.”

From Nursery kid to engineer-in-the-making, from jazz soloist to community innovator, Thiti stands ready at the threshold of a new world, one he’s already shaping with both heart and hardware.