Thai Journal '24 - #18

Today we had our final full-day cultural experience in Bangkok. As usual the Grand Palace is our first stop. Quite a few upgrades, including the entrance to the Palace. Among its many attractions is the Emerald Buddha. Google it. We then took a tuk tuk ride to the Reclining Buddha. This was followed by 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. When I first visited Thailand, my hosts at the SDA Mission office took me there for dinner. Sumptuous! This year we had a superb dinner there as well, including mango sticky rice. We then went to Asiatique Night Market. The fish foot massage was a hit and hilarious! I loved watching the faces as the team put their feet in the water! Good shopping, with good bargains. Alyssa flight is at 2:00am, so she said her goodbyes. Back to the campus at midnight.