When Was the Last Time You Hitchhiked?

When was the last time you hitchhiked?

A ghost town

In September of 2022 I arrived at the outskirts of Mae Pim, in Rayong, Thailand. I was there working on a contract for Matterport, tasked with 3D scanning 73 hotels and resorts across the region.

Unbeknownst to me, the seaside village, my current location, was the weekend destination for Bangkok residents, and was a ghost town during the week. The resort and beach club I had travelled to to scan was closed that day, there had been a miscommunication with my booking, and the roads were deserted.

Before I left for Thailand, I had expected to use Grab, the local version of Uber, to get around for the entire trip. I had used the service before on my last adventure, and presumed I would be able to do the same again, but no. As there were no weekenders there, there were no drivers there to facilitate their needs.

So I started walking. It was barely 2 km to the next hotel, and there was no other option. With my 3D camera and tripod on my back, my large rolling hard case by my side, I set off.

The white BMW

After 10 or so minutes, a white BMW pulled up next to me, and the pitch black window rolled down.

The lady inside looked at me with great concern and curiosity, presumably trying to figure out what I was doing walking along the side of the highway, dressed in black, dragging 40 kg of luggage, on a 35 degree day.

Where are you going, she asked. I explained my situation to her, and she told me to get in. I put my suitcase on the backseat, trying not to scratch the tan leather, then jumped in the front. I'll show you around town before I take you to your hotel, I was told. Fine by me, I thought, as the air conditioner blew all over my face.

Lek, as I discovered her name was, asked me why I was out here in the middle of nowhere. I told her I was working, and what I do, as she drove me around the next town, explaining to me which of the businesses her family ran, and driving past their home.

Once we doubled back around, and arrived at my accommodation, she took my Line details, and dropped me off.

The message that night

Later that night, I received a message from her, informing me that her family was trying to sell their grandmother's house, and asking if I might be able to take some photos for her. Of course, I said, knowing full well that what I could actually do for her was infinitely better than any kind of traditional photography that she was no doubt expecting.

So the next morning at sunrise, before I needed to be at my first appointment, I met her and her mother at the house, and spent an hour or two 3D scanning it, to create an interactive and immersive virtual tour that would surely set her listing apart from all the others. Once the virtual tour was ready, less than 24 hours later, I sent her the link, and she was able to give it to her real estate agent.

I didn't hear from her again, as I left the country shortly after, taking my local phone number with me, and I don't know how the sale went. Though I do know that she was equally grateful for me helping her and her family, as I was for her saving me from heat exhaustion the day we met.

You can still walk through her grandmother's house here.