2nd Week of Class and Adventures in Thailand

While we have only completed 3 of the 12 weeks that we will be here in Thailand as as Rotary Peace Fellows, I find it incredible as to the amount of learning that has occurred.  The areas we addressed this past week included several topics. First, we had an indepth presentation of a formal model for conducting conflict analysis (presented by Bjorn Holmberg, the Director of Swedepeace).  Since the use of this model is required in our first paper due next week, we had plenty of discussion about its relevance to our particular conflict situations.

On Thursday we had a briefing on issues we will face during our field study in Mae Sot--refugees from Burma, human trafficking, and migrant labor.  The overview by both Jenn Weidman and Dr. Pitch Pongsswat from Chulalongkorn University left no doubt in our mind that it would be both an eye-opening experience, as well as grueling.  But, you'll just have to wait for my blog when we return from the field study on March 18th, so stay tuned for future reports. 

Finally, we were exposed to theories of nonviolence by Dr. Chaiwat Satha Anand from Thammasat University.  He was an engaging instructor, taking us through a workshop where we discussed a series of questions, starting with a very controversial one, "How do you train killers?"  Indeed, this created a some tense moments in our class when the fellows from the military and police force were upset at the generalized perception of the other fellows that killers are people who have been brainwashed into thinking that their victims are non-human and desensitized to violence so that it becomes normative for them.

But, enough for the academic side of my adventure.  I must admit, though, that I had no idea how much work we would have to do, without much respite.  That being said, the discussions among us have been quite stimulating and none of us are afraid to speak our mind.  At least no fist fights have broken out…yet.

The social side of the week started with a football (i.e., soccer) match between Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University.  While I'm not much into sports, there was no way to avoid it on Saturday.  We all had to wear the required Chula vs. Thammasat pink shirt, and engage in the day-long activities that I equate to tailgate events—turbo charged.  I've embedded some pictures and link with some video I took for one of the events going on outside the gates before the match started.  I'm sure you'll be asking yourself, "What exactly am I seeing dressed in those costumes--male, female, shemale?"

Chula-Thammasat Football Match--the Pink Shirts

Another costume at the Chula-Thammasat Event

A video at the Chula-Thammasat Match

On Sunday we all took off for a City Tour.  What a day.  It was oppressively hot and humid, with so many thousands of people at all the sites, it really was difficult to enjoy.  But, then, I never have been one to like squeezing through crowds and being herded around like cattle. Regardless, the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald (really jade) Buddha, and Wat Pho, home of the Giant Reclining Buddha (and I do mean giant), are like nothing else I've ever seen.  That, along with a boat ride on the Chao Phraya River, meant a long day that exhausted many of us.  Pictures below show some of the highlights of this city tour. 

Grand Palace Statue

    

Grand Palace Buddhas



The Reclining Buddha

Houses along the river

I love my Buddha



In closing, I have been asked:  How's the food? How's the landscape?  What about the people and their language?  Have you been to the shore yet for a swim? 


Quick answers to these questions are:  I love the food, even some that is so spicy hot that your eyes water and nose runs.  Haven’t seen much of the landscape yet, except the urban jungle of Bangkok, which is navigable via the great overhead train system, Tuk Tuks and cabs. 


The people are all very friendly, with a language that is impossible to read— กรุณาแจ้งปัญหาใดๆ—and difficult to pronounce.  But, two mornings a week we have the opportunity to take Thai lessons offered through the Chula Rotaract group, so I have been doing that.  So far, I’ve mastered the basic greeting—Sawatdee, Ka—and thank-you—Khob Kun Ka.  What can I say, I never have had an ear for languages. 


Finally, I haven’t been to the shore yet, but it’s on my list of things to do in upcoming weekends.  As a group, we’re planning a number of day and week-end trips. No doubt, I’m going to squeeze in everything that I can while here. As they say, carpe diem.


Enough for this week.