2024 is a new year for many, be it in plans, relationships or just life in general. Yet for these two twins, 2024 marks the beginning of their years together, after spending thirty one years apart.
A pair of twins of Thai descent recently managed to reunite after living their lives apart and mostly oblivious to each other. Despite having very different backgrounds, the twins were delighted to discover they still had things in common, while living right next to each other in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
On 22nd December at 1am, 31-year-old Jacky Chan’s search for his long lost twin ended with a phone call from a friend. The friend claimed she had just spotted someone who looked like Jacky at a pub in Singapore. A video call soon confirmed what neither could believe; Jacky had found his long lost twin while John had just found out he had a twin brother.
“We cried like a bitch,” Jacky recalled when asked about the fateful reunion which coincidently fell on the Winter Solstice Festival. But, Jacky admitted he hadn’t been the one to take the first step in meeting his brother. That had apparently been John who opted to show up at his twin’s workplace the next day. Standing face to face, the duo claimed seeing each other was like looking into a mirror, or seeing a selfie.
Apparently, the twins had been born in a Malaysian hospital thirty one years ago. Unfortunately, that was the last time they were together. As their parents abandoned them, for unknown reasons, the twins were adopted separately. John had realised he was adopted at the age of 6, however, neither he nor his parents knew he had a twin as he was the second to be adopted.
Jacky however had been told about his twin brother eleven years ago, right before his father passed away. His father had also been the one to tell Jacky about his Thai lineage. Jacky then spent years searching for his twin, to the point where he wondered if his parents had got it wrong. “I thought maybe this one is just a legend. Just a story,” he told Mothership.
Luckily, the duo managed to reunite on the Winter Solstice where they were delighted to discover the difference and similarities they had. For one, both had been adopted by Chinese families, however, Jacky stayed in Singapore, while John lived in Kuala Lumpur. They both like beer and fresh-picked durians, and the twins themselves claim their attitude and character are the same.
Both Jacky and John have stated that they are hoping to reconnect with their birth parents, as they want to thank them. “I’m grateful they that they didn’t throw us away,” Jacky said, while John, who is married with two kids, added: “I appreciate that when you found out you were pregnant, that you didn’t go for an abortion.” Still, they aren’t planning to actively look for their parents either. The duo are just happy to have each other.
As they both have pointed out, the two have 31 years of catching up to do, and are planning to make the most of it. Jacky is insistent his brother stays at his house when he’s at Singapore, even gifting him a house key, while John is hoping to bring his kids over to meet their new uncle as well.
Well, like many others, we too are delighted the twins have been able to reunite after so long. 2024 certainly seems like a miracle for twins, especially after the newborn New Jersey twins! We wish them well and hope they will continue to grow closer in the years to come!
Sources: Mothership, China Press, Instagram (1)(2)
