Thailand Journal 17 – Sept. 8, 2019

It is now after 11:00pm, and we are on the way home from a full day in Bangkok. As usual the Grand Palace is our first stop. Among its many attractions is the Emerald Buddha. Google it. We then took a

tuk tuk ride to the Reclining Buddha. I’ve not been there for at least 15 years. After lunch on the pier, we took a boat ride on the river running through Bangkok. As usual we saw many large monitor lizards, and we fed the fishes. We then visited Cabbages and Condoms. I have spoken about this in previous blogs and journals; but I’ll repeat it for those who are reading this for the first time.

C&C is part of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA). On a version of their website 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. From there were went to Asiatique Night Market, where we shopped till we dropped at almost 10:00pm. The highlight of that adventure of course, was the “fish massage.” If you are ticklish, it is not for you. But it is fun watching the reactions to the sensation.