One night (plus 14) in Bangkok

 

I came to Bangkok for the first time in 1994. Thirty years back. It was an incentive trip with Smile Education. The country, people and the food captured a part of my heart.

Over the past 22 years, I have been to Thailand often as this is where my daughter, Bronwyn lives with her family.  Noiy and Bronwyn are both missionaries with YWAM. This year she and Noiy will be married for twenty years. In most cases, I have spent a night in Bangkok or bypassed it in the taxi to Ratchaburi where they lived. About two hours out of the city.

In mid-2024, the family moved to Bangkok. My granddaughter Naomi was granted a scholarship from a school here in the city. Daniel, my eldest grandchild, already has lived in Bangkok since 2018 on a soccer scholarship. He has been in boarding school with the other boys at the soccer academy.

The family now live in a two-bedroom apartment right next to the school property. I was able to find an Air BnB apartment in the same building. It has been wonderful to have personal space and not to crowd their small space. 

Bronwyn has been great in showing me around the area. It has been most beneficial for me walking many steps each day. The complex has lovely gardens, a pool, some garden creatures and retail shops. The 7/11 is a 5-minute walk and has everything one needs. There are also some street food vendors and small authentic Thai restaurants close by. It has been a joy to explore and navigate the local area and have a better idea of how they live.

I have always experienced Bangkok as a city that never sleeps, and the traffic is horrendous. Bronwyn can use the Skytrain and taxis to get to parts of the city. In their neighbourhood, she runs and uses her bicycle. It is safe for Omi to walk to school and even late in the evening if needed with school activities.

I love to observe when I travel. The Thai people are friendly, polite, and gentle. They are hard working and running a local business is available and open to all, young and old. It is wonderful to support the local eating houses. As we wait for our food to be made, I see motorbikes stop and collect food- Mr Delivery style. Technology is available everywhere and helps individuals to create awareness and sales. A great culture of entrepreneurship.

 

Thailand is one of the countries where South Africans can still feel that the Rand has value. A meal on the streets is less than R40. My apartment cost less than R5000 for 15 days. Fruit in season from the market is plentiful and yummy. The cost of a rental here is around R5000 per month. I am not anywhere near tourist areas.  I get to experience authentic Thailand. Such a blessing.

One afternoon we went to watch Daniel training after school. We left here at 16h30 and it took 45 minutes in the traffic. He only finished training at 20h00 and we then went to find a KFC to eat something, before taking him back to the boarding house. We arrived back home around 22h00. We only spent about 30 minutes with him. His schedule is tough. School and then training everyday till 20h00 and then back to eat and study with bed at ten, up again at six am to start the day again. Tough training to become a professional soccer player. The Thai school year ends in February. Daniel turns 17 in March and will then start his final school year in May.

It is almost time for me to pack my suitcases and go home. I have loved my time here. We have had quality time and played games many evenings. Bron and I have had time to have long chats over early morning coffee and rusks. I don’t need to spend time and money on tourist sites. My time is best spent with the family and building memories. I go home with my love tank full, knowing that they are exactly where God needs them to be. I will be back.