Condoms, Happiness and Hangover in Bangkok

My third visit to Thailand but my first with my daughter and Steps With Hope, a charity supporting a school on the border of Thailand and Cambodia, but more of that later.

There are several things I took note of on this visit. The streets were clean. The rubbish was swept up and neatly stacked ready for collection by the evening leaving the streets spotless for the morning mix of tourists and work commuters. The air was still polluted and humid but it didn't stink like Hong Kong.

I wasn't approached by people selling their wares.  For the most part, people seemed content, as though they had plenty of business and didn't need to pester. 

Maybe with the exception of this boy who was left on the steps of the 7 eleven by his mum with a large cup to collect coins.  Thailand relies very heavily on migrant labour which encourages people to cross the border from Cambodia to look for work. Around 130,000 of these are undocumented. 15,000 are children. As part of the ChildSafe movement, the lovely ladies from Friends International Thailand are checking that the boy was safe and free from abuse or danger.

With their hands softly touching as in prayer and a slight bow of the head and a polite Khob Khun Ka (ขอบคุณค่ะ) Thai express their respect and gratitude. I adore this and wish we were as respectful.

In general, people seem content and happy.

Street food vendor happily cooking for guests

Colourful Tuk Tuk

Best Foot Massage In Town!

Ingenious Electrical Work

CABBAGES AND CONDOMS

 When our esteemed group leader who is a devout Christian suggested Cabbages and Condoms for dinner, I wasn't quite sure I'd heard her correctly. When she added that all profits support PDA (Population and Community Development Program) who support family planning, health education, and AIDS prevention amongst 300 other projects, of course I was happy to dine amongst condom light shades and coasters.

Our food was quite ok but then you really aren't there for the food and besides, I was excited to receive my complimentary condoms with the bill instead of mints, I'm dairy free anyway.

 

SKY BAR

When in Bangkok, a visit to the 63rd floor of the Lebua Hotel is a must. The bar is 250m in the air, one of the tallest bars in the world but unlike the other bars, this one is out in the open air overlooking the entire city. 

We arrived just as the sun was setting and it was quite spectacular. Also spectacular was the price of my Gin and Tonic. $42 aussie dollars! Thankfully just one is all I needed to keep my balance all that way up in the sky with a nervous disposition and threatening vertigo!

Sadly, I didn't have my camera but these are some fairly decent phone pics. Alright, they are terrible so I'll just have to go back. Who wants to come with me?

The bar was used in Hangover 2. Here is the clip.



Stay tuned for more including our fascinating boat trip along the canals, our visit to Sangtawan School on the border and charity work with Steps With Hope plus our wonderful visit to Cambodia....



About The Author

Nina Beilby is a professional photographer and photography educator based in Chatswood, Sydney, Australia. You can see more of her work at www.ninabeilby.com.au. 

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