Pattaya, Thailand

Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club members awaiting the swimmers for the cross bay charity event

Police helping out with the event

Pattaya Beach

Time is flying by, we are now in our 7th week here! It has been a while since my last post, which was during my Field study in Mae Sot. We made it safe and sound back to Bangkok on St. Patrick's day. I only had one day off to recover from the field study and then it was a full day of professional networking. I met with the Department of Special Investigations who are under the Ministry of Justice here. They focus on international crime and white collar crimes as well as corruption. Made some great contacts as well I have some opportunity to work with them while I am here. I then went to visit the Central Institute of Forensic Science. There are some interesting challenges here for the CIFS, one being the volume of unclaimed or unidentified remains. They still have approximately 500 people from the tsunami that have been unclaimed. Some of the challenges here is the large volume of illegal immigrants which makes identification of deceased difficult.

My new friend

Department of Special Investigations

Massive government building...here was the Central Institute for Forensic Science

CSI Thailand

Inside government building

An amazing assembly put on for us while in Mae Sot by the Burmese children

We visited a clinic in Mae Sot for the Burmese. Landmines are an issue in Burma and due to the lack of funding and status of the Burmese in Thailand the clinic makes do with what they can for supplies.

Hmmm not sure exactly where to start here....this has been an incredibly busy, information overload, unbelievable experience, educational and draining week. Emotions have been all over as I look at my role in this global society. It has been an intense filed study with many visits to organizations both government and non government organizations. Each having a different perspective on issues here along the Thailand/Burma border. We have looked at refugee issues, human trafficking, migrant labour and legislation and enforcement around these issues.

After our experience at the bridge we went back to the hotel where we were to have dinner with the Rotarians from Mae Sot. It was an unbelievable experience and I was moved to tears several times throughout the evening. The Rotarians, once again in my experience with Rotarians have gone above and beyond. They had decorated an area outside with a small stage, tables and chairs; there were paper umbrellas and lanterns hanging from the trees, fresh flowers everywhere, a big sign welcoming us to MaeSot and each and everyone of our flags were displayed! When they greeted us they presented us with a necklace made of jasmine and wrapped an embroidered scarf around our waists, there were girls in traditional Thai dress as well. They had a band and the girls in Thai dress performed throughout dinner. Dinner was a huge buffet and it was fantastic. We sat with the wife of one of the Rotarians and she told us how she had picked the menu herself and the flowers were from her garden. It was all so very thoughtful. We were also all presented with two cups and saucer set that are hand painted with Rotary Peace Through Service. We then had some singing and dancing...I got pulled up there by one of the Rotarians and had to dance in front of everyone, I was so red! But had a blast and then everyone soon joined in and we all sang together too. After all this we were then called to the parking lot to send up 30 'balloons' which were giant paper lanterns. The Rotarians had to travel to Chaing Mai to get them for us. We lit a round piece at the bottom of the lantern and then had to hold them up to keep the paper from catching fire until there was enough hot air to release them into the sky. As you release them you make a wish. I went and thanked each and every Rotarian that was there, their hearts are so big. They have done so much for us.

In 'no mans land'

Well this last week has been extremely busy and plus I was still trying to recover from some bug I caught here. I have to say this was a challenging week! But what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger...and I survived!

This week our instructors were from the USA (California and Kansas) Jan Sunoo and Pat Dunn, they both work for the Federal Mediation and Concilation Services; hence this weeks studies were all based around mediation and facilitation. This weeks classes were very hands on as we participated in mock mediations and facilitations. The facilitation exercise was over a day and a half and everyone really got into their roles which was great cause it really worked for the exercise...but I tell you it was a long frustrating process...I'm not quite sure how mediators and facilitators can stay so calm! However I found this to be a great week with learning some tools that I will be able to apply at home.

On Monday of this week, Was culture day, we were all asked to come in our traditional dress...this was obviously much easier for some then others...some of us had to be creative...my culture dress consisted of a Canada scarf and a bunch of pictures taped to me representing my heritage background; my fellow Canadian here wore a toque and a plaid shirt. I will attach a group photo in another post.

Tuesday night we had an opportunity to go see an Indian dance drama called Chitrangada; apparently it is rarely performed outside of India but they were having a performance here at Chulalongkorn for the official opening of the Indian Studies Facility here. It was quite the event...we had to be there an hour and half before it started as the Royal Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was attending. There was a large security prescence as well as media. Even after the show we couldn't leave until the Royal party left. The play itself was very good and the costumes were gorgeous!!

On Wednesday our big papers were due!! Ahhhh this was stressful...my original plan for a paper wasn't working out as the conflict analysis model we were to use wouldn't fit with the goal I was trying to accomplish...this was after already writing 14 pages...then I got sick, so made little progress then...so late Tuesday night and all Wednesday night was crunch time! Paper was due Wednesday at midnight! Whew! I made it! This whole being back in school thing is tough but I am loving the constant challenges and learning so much...feel like I am on overload!

International Women's Day was this past week as well, our day in class started with all the men going around and saying one thing they appreciated about or learned from a women in their life. It was quite nice and very touching. Also in celebration Jan had brought us some chocolate mint girl guide cookies from the states!!!

Ok that's a very quick catch up....tomorrow morning we are leaving bright and early for a 7 hour drive to Mae Sot which is on the border of Thailand and Burma(Myanmar). We are in for a long hot week of field study. I am really looking forward to the experience, but also know it will be a challenging one. Our field study will be focused on refugee camps as well as human trafficking. I know this will be an eye opening experience and am both eager to learn and worried about what I will learn. I'm not sure how my Internet access will be but I will try and do a better job of keeping you all in the loop.

This pic is from one of our group projects! Our instructor Jan was great at incorporating music into this weeks class