Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 4, 1994 TAG: 9408180074
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
His two daughters have found they are half-sisters and Chanthavong Phonasa has emerged as a man with two families.
It is an emotionally wrenching situation for all of them and has left them wondering how to deal with the sudden and surprising turn of events.
Phonasa fled the Communist insurgency in Laos 18 years ago and took refuge in Thailand.
In the upheaval of fighting Communist rebels as a soldier in the Laoation Army, he lost contact with his wife.
By the time he was safely established in Thailand, Phonasa had no idea where his wife was or whether she was even alive.
In time, Phonasa's attention turned to another woman, whose first name is Bon.
They were married in Thailand, and in 1981, moved to the United States and came to Roanoke.
Just before leaving Thailand, Phonasa learned that his first wife had moved to the United States the year before. But he couldn't find out where in the U.S. she had gone. He didn't know where to look or how to track down someone in a country as large as the United States.
Time passed and, 11 years ago, Phonasa and Bon had a daughter they named Syrakhone.
Then, last May, everything changed for all of them.
Phonasa said he learned from a friend who had known his first wife that she also had been looking for him. The friend gave Phonasa an address in Massachusetts. He called and, for the first time in 18 years, talked to her.
He was surprised to find her, but even more surprised to learn he had a daughter.
Phonasa said he learned that his first wife had been pregnant when they parted in Laos.
This summer, Phonasa journeyed to New York to meet his first wife and bring his newly found daughter, Noi Phakhansa, to Roanoke for a visit.
Phonasa, who lives in Northwest Roanoke, said it was nice having his newly found daughter here and wished she could stay.
Syrakhone, Phonasa's daughter by his second wife, also wishes Noi could stay. Syrakhone indicated the whole situation is baffling to her but she said she is glad to know she has a half-sister.
Noi said this month she will return to Massachusetts, where she is a cosmetology student in Tri-County Vocational High School in Franklin, Mass. She wants to return to the school she is familiar with, and she said her mother wants her to live with her.
Phonasa said it makes him sad that she must leave, but both he and Noi said they plan to keep in touch.
Noi said she is glad to know the truth about her father. She said she got an indication some time ago that her mother's husband was not her real father, but she did not know for sure. She said it is a relief to have erased all the uncertainty.
Phonasa, who has been nicknamed "Wong" by his American friends, said he had been "trying for a long, long time" to learn what happened to his first wife, and now he will stay in touch with her.
Since coming to the United States, Phonasa has learned enough about auto repair to work in that field. He works as a deliveryman for Pizza Hut on Melrose Avenue and does auto repairs as a sideline.
by CNB