SONGKHLA, Thailand — With less than 10 minutes until the last train departed Bangkok for the south of Thailand, all I could do was say a little prayer.

My mother and I were stuck in traffic several blocks from Bangkok’s famous Hua Lamphong train station.  It would take a near-miracle to make our scheduled departure.

Fortunately for us, the kindness of the Thai people intervened.  Observing our sense of urgency upon arrival at the station, a Thai teenager ran over to help us with our suitcases and a platform attendant waived us through without requiring the regular entry fee.  Then, two helpful police officers grabbed our bags, ran alongside the train with us and madly signaled the conductor to stop.