Maryknoll Retreat and Meetings 2009

Time for Running Around in Bangkok
8 January 2009

Many Maryknollers came to Bangkok one or two days before the retreat and meetings began, some to have physical check-ups or treatment, some for meetings or shopping for goods not readily available in Cambodia.

Food on the street Bangkok seems to do more food business on the streets than most other Asian cities. There are push carts and mobile vendors everywhere, especially in the business areas with many pedestrians.

Fruit for sale on the street Food is relatively cheap on the streets and this, combined with the fact that most homes are rather small, encourages many people to eat breakfast or lunch or both on the sidewalk. And there are always fruit markets like this for fresh fruit as a snack which Asian people prefer to junk food.

Afternoon snacks on the street And then late in the afternoon, a little snack will help on the long journey home through Bangkok's notorious traffic.

Campaign poster Bangkok doesn't have large political ads and billboards, but they do have these signs for various candidates along all the major thoroughfares.

Honoring the king The king is an ever-present person in Thai society even though he may not be always that much in the public eye. Greatly revered, he is honored with large, very public displays of respect such as this one on the wall of a government center.

Large picture of king on a buildiing Many major buildings have huge photos or banners honoring the king on the side of the building. There is special concern about the king now because he celebrated his 80th birthday in December and then, for the first time in 60 years, missed giving the state of the kingdom address last month because of illness.

APCD building sign In the afternoon I had a meeting with Somchai Rungsilp at the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability. We discussed their regional programs and their plans for activities in Cambodia.

Pantip Plaza computer shops My last stop for the day was at Panthip Plaza, a mall with five floors of computer shops where everything for computers is available. I was looking for photo printing paper in large packages and head cleaning fluid for printers.

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	Bangkok seems to do more food business on the streets than most other Asian cities. There are push carts and mobile vendors everywhere, especially in the business areas with many pedestrians.
	Food is relatively cheap on the streets and this, combined with the fact that most homes are rather small, encourages many people to eat breakfast or lunch or both on the sidewalk. And there are always fruit markets like this for fresh fruit as a snack which Asian people prefer to junk food.
	And then late in the afternoon, a little snack will help on the long journey home through Bangkok's notorious traffic.
	Bangkok doesn't have large political ads and billboards, but they do have these signs for various candidates along all the major thoroughfares.
	The king is an ever-present person in Thai society even though he may not be always that much in the public eye. Greatly revered, he is honored with large, very public displays of respect such as this one on the wall of a government center.
	Many major buildings have huge photos or banners honoring the king on the side of the building. There is special concern about the king now because he celebrated his 80th birthday in December and then, for the first time in 60 years, missed giving the state of the kingdom address last month because of illness.
	In the afternoon I had a meeting with Somchai Rungsilp at the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability. We discussed their regional programs and their plans for activities in Cambodia.
	My last stop for the day was at Panthip Plaza, a mall with five floors of computer shops where everything for computers is available. I was looking for photo printing paper in large packages and head cleaning fluid for printers.