Thailand Journal 17 – Sept. 10

A full and fun day in Bangkok: Toured the Grand Palace and saw the Emerald Buddha. It was crowded! Took a brief tuk-tuk ride. Had a quite a boat ride (in the rain and rough river) through the city – fed the fish and saw some dragon reptiles. Visited Cabbages and Condoms. I have spoken about this in previous blogs. It is part of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA). On a version of their website (http://www.cabbagesandcondoms.com/about_background.php for the more recent) they mentioned that the organization’s goal is to reduce poverty and facilitate health and socio-economic development through family planning and agricultural development that is appropriate to the local community. The website mentions that their efforts have contributed “significantly to the decrease in the annual population growth rate

from 3.3% in the mid-1970s to 0.6% in 2005. During the same period, the number of children per family fell from 7 to under two.” They are doing a superb job in responding to the social and economic challenges facing Thailand; and won a major grant from the Gates Foundation for their work. We then went to Asiatique night market and shopped till we dropped. The fish foot massage was the hilarious highlight of the evening. Got some great shots today: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143715478@N06/albums/72157685560631054.