Well, the beginning was very sudden. On 18th May'17, Rafi (Kakar, Pakistan) sent a voice message on whatsapp asking whether I would be free and open for a Bangkok trip between 29th May- 2 June. It seemed Commonwealth Secretariat and nine UN agencies together would organize a policy workshop (evidence based policy making for the youth in Asia Pacific region) and my credential matches for an ideal participant. Well, before the expiry of my current passport by 30th July 2017, I thought this could pave the way for a third stamp on my passport.
 |
| With Indian participants |
I submitted required profile information, Rafi pushed from his side and I got the final invitation letter on 23rd May'17. The tickets took 2 more days. Meanwhile, I got confirmation from Thai embassy that minimum 30 days of passport validity is enough to obtain Visa on arrival in Thailand. So, all set and I boarded the Jet Airways flight on 28th May second half.
The first observation- there was a long queue for visa on arrival and I was ready with 1000 Thai Bhat. However, the authority has created one more queue for applicants who are willing to pay extra 200 bucks without receipt. I find that open case of corruption. Priority counter is fine' but why without receipt? However, I opted for the corrupt medium.
The taxi system at airport was also unique. You need to take a receipt from a vending machine where taxi number will be written. The taxis run on meters (sometimes ask for without meter as well). The drivers were not well equipped with English speaking and that was a problem.
The workshop was designed to consume most parts of the day, but I made a point to devote the evenings in Bangkok exploration. On the first day (29th May), I and the young legislator from Philippines (Jason) went to khao san road. It was kind of party street with lot of food counters and massage parlours. I went for a massage (of body and neck, not oil) too in a parlour; unfortunately, one strong man came to do my massage. I didn't enjoy at all; in fact, my back got hurt as he was too strong. I was groaning with pain many a times, and Jason was smiling.
 |
| Meeting the Assam MP suddenly while shopping |
Every day I walked from UN centre to hotel after the workshop got over. The temperature was like that of sweaty Guwahati, and I had to take bath after that 1.2 KM walk.The Larn Luang area was very decent. They have a Tesco type grocery store named 7-11. The meter taxis were much reasonable, compared to the Tuk-Tuks, which looked like our auto-rickshaws.
Second day- I and Rafi went out to explore the Red Light area at Nana. The infamous places are Gali number 4 and Soi Cowboy. These are basically bars where pole dancing happened by bikini/nude girls. You need to buy drink (or juice) to enter. Then if you want the girl to sit beside you or want to do ding-dong , extra charges will apply. Rafi told this place is very reasonable compared to other red light areas and people are also honest; the girls/bar owners don't force anything. We did enjoy pole dances. Not for a single second, I felt 'sexy' or something. Looking at the girls, I remembered the stories written by Homen Borgohain and felt pity for them. Even my father's glimpses came to my mind. I forced Rafi to leave that place quickly. We searched for an Indian restaurant and had good meal. Rafi also explained me his experiences of working with UN. The inflated sense of achievement, tertiary goals by UN instead of targeting the primary problems are the discussions that dominated our conversation.
Everyday, I start the day with heavy breakfast at the hotel. There was no provision of food (even no tea, biscuit) at the workshop venue. We had to buy our own lunches. For this, Commonwealth gave us some money in pounds. Since I carried sufficient Bhats, I made the pounds exchanged in Delhi airport while returning. The topic of discussions at the workshop were as usual type. There were lot of youth participants and I didn't find much to learn new, except getting to know different experiences of people from 11-12 countries. Some of the things I like, for example, finding the indicators for a youth policy drafting, how different countries perceive the role of IGOs etc. Although most of the discussions were in the form of PPTs, there were some of the break-outs as well, and I enjoyed those.
On third day evening, I went out with Lokashis Saha (he is the civil society representative from India, based in New Delhi). Out sole purpose was to do shopping at a place called Indra market. First we went to a mall named Platinum; but surprisingly the shops closed by 8-00 PM and we got hardly 10 minutes to explore. We had no other option but to take the streets for shopping. Lokashis was calculating every item in terms of Indian rupees, and that indeed helped me restrain myself. I tried to buy stuffs for the family members, as well some for the friends and colleagues in New Delhi. Our journey ended in a place where Lokashis's friend owned an Indian restaurant named 'India Gate'. He managed a free lavish dinner for us. We returned to hotel at around 11-00 PM.
 |
| At Asiatique |
The organizer told the workshop formalities will get over by noon on the last day. On the final day, we basically had to rate the posters prepared by various countries. The Indian poster was not good at all; Sri Lanka was the best and they also got the most popular poster prize. I liked the way the organizers distribute the certificates. Each of us were given one certificate of another person; you need to find out the person and hand over the certificate. This was really a nice way to end the workshop. I requested around ten people to join me for a Bangkok exploration; but everybody was busy chatting or doing other stuffs. I decide to 'ekla chalo re'. I took a map from the hotel (Royal Princess) and that helped a lot.
I took the ipad to take photos and first went to the Royal place as the gates close by 3-30 PM. Entry fees was 500 Bhat; but after witnessing 50% of the inside places are prohibited for entry, I think the entry fee was too much. The sun was too bright, still I manged to take multiple photos. From the palace, I walked to Wat Phoo, the temple of reclining Buddha. The entry fee was 100 bhat. It was a gigantic statue of Lord Buddha in reclining position.
From Wat Phoo, I took the ferry to cross the river and reach Wat Aroon.There suddenly, I met Keely from Singapore who gave my certificate today at the end of the workshop. After Wat Aroon, I had two things to do - visit Asiatique and on-board Sky train, the metro of Bangkok. But both were situated far off. However, a study of the map suggested there might be river connectivity. I inquired and yes- there was ferry service to go to Asiatique from Wat Aroon at around 40 bhat. Wow! Advantage of roaming alone!
I and Kelley reached Asiatique, which is like Eat street of Hyderabad or our lunch place near the Wales parliament (during my visit to Wales). We had some food there, since both of us skipped lunch. It was a good place to sit. I learned about the work Kelley is doing in Singapore. From there, we took another boat (free service) to the nearby dock which is attached a sky train station ( Sakhan Taksin). Finally I boarded a sky train too; well, I found Delhi metro is much better.
 |
| Memories before throwing away |
After getting down at Siam, I went to Central Mall, which is considered one of the biggest mall of the world. It even has Ferrari and BMW showrooms inside the mall. I had almost no time to explore. After covering less than 5% of the mall, I walked to the Platinum mall + Indra market (yesterday's destinations) to complete remaining shopping. First time, I felt myself to be so much shopaholic in Bangkok. I found the place to be cheap as well.
I returned to hotel by 9-30 PM as I had to catch an early morning flight. I could not manage to have dinner, but God planned that for me. Lokashis brought lot of food from a local market and requested me to join for dinner. I had a good chat with him. We also cleared the room rent etc. While I incurred zero extra money, he incurred around 500 bhat extra. I thought I am a very much rule abiding citizen.
Return journey from Suvarnabhumi airport by the same Jet Airways flight. Though it was quick, I think I managed to see a lot. I must thank Rafi for this trip as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment