Train to Thailand

One month almost gone, and only now I finally finished putting things together to finish my Bangkok Trip report. (warning-this a very long post for I refused to post multiple entry. haha. Lagipon, sape jerrr bace other than myself in the future kan?)

So,

I was in BKK for a program named Prosthetics and Orthotics Exposure Program organized by the 2^nd batch student. It took place mainly in Faculty Of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok Noi Campus. 

At 7.15 am in the morning, we departed from 4^thResidential College, UM to Butterworth Train Station by a chartered bus and arrived around 12pm. Our train from Butterworth to BKK is on 2.20 pm. Maka, cukup la mase nak lunch + solat jamak zohor/asar kat surau train station. 

2.20 pm, Saturday 25^th July we set for Bangkok. The train journey estimated to take 22hours to reach Bangkok. It was the first time for some of us to take train. Remember to stock a lot of food, especially your dinner! The train only stop at Padang Besar station for immigration check. We reach Padang Besar station around 7pm.  The next stop was Hat Yai, but no one is allowed to disembark. If anyone wish to order dinner, you may do so, and once the train reach Hat Yai, the ordered food will be served. But none of us ordered because of the price and questionable status of the food. Haha

Reminders-1-stock a lot of food and drinks. 2-wear comfortable clothes since you'll be sleeping in that very clothes unless you'd change. 3-keep your important toiletries somewhere "reachable" because you don't want to unzip your humongous luggage to get your toothbrush.

Long journey took long time. Night came and the seat changed to beds. Killed time by sleeping. Morning crawled back and we again try to find ways how to kill time. We played silly game –bibob, happy famiy, donkey-just to kill time. Hungry, exhausted and damn bored, we can’t wait to set foot on Bangkok.

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1.20 pm Sunday 26^th July 10, 2011 we finally arrived in Hualomphong Station Bangkok and was greeted by Ms Thatchanan aka Miss Kay, the International Relation Officer in Siriraj Hospital who going to manage our visit. We went to our accommodation by Siriraj Bus and checked in. Hour later we went for “food hunting” The hotel/motel was in Khaosan Road. The halal food available are in 2 places. We only tried one of them. The first meal in Bangkok is..acceptable, given that we were hungry and it's hard to communicate. After lunch we divided into groups and had time for ourselves. My group decided to go to Chatuchak Weekend Market.

It was huge! Everything is available, at cheap prices –watches, souvenirs like keychains, book markers. Food to try- I highly would suggest everyone to try the coconut ice cream. Heavenly good! Topping to choose-peanuts, sticky rice, corns. For those visiting Chatuchak, find and buy all the souvenirs here! I went there on my first day that I didn’t have the mood to shop for souvenirs ye ( dan sekarang saya rasa sangat menyesal waaaa) 

Then, we took tuk-tuk (at 200 baht for 5 people) to go back to hotel. Advice-it probably cheaper to take metered taxi then a tuk-tuk. But tuk-tuk gave the roller-coaster on the road feeling. Haha.

We had dinner at the same place, again. Little walk in Khaosan Road. Post Mortem. End

The second day, our official visit started. We were served with Porridge as breakfast, (dgn telur masin, ikan bilis and fish sausage). Thai style, yo. Then we had opening ceremony and lecture. We visited the Thai Traditional Medicine Department of the hospital and get to try free demonstration done by the students. It’s refreshing! After that we visit the Rehab Department of the hospital and also their Medical Museum and Library., The medical museum has large number of collection. Gave me goosebumps to see numerous of real specimens. And their library is awesome. High tech!

In the evening, we had a friendship basketball game-which I participated. Yes, me. I, never do sports since Darjah 6 at first place. But when given choice to play basketball or dance, my choice is pretty obvious, huh. IMO, I did well (chis prasan pulak). But I got few encouraging praises that made me felt like YAAADAAAA. I even called back to game after few minutes rest – yes I pancit-ed. Nonetheless, we played well and won the game 12-10

Night. Dinner. Post Mortem. End

Third day, we visited SSPO building that is not yet in use. One of the lecturers, Toi explained to us about each room and their planning. I keep comparing with our place back in UM. Tehee. Come on. P&O in UM only aged 2 while SSPO started 8 years back. But I got the idea perhaps, 5 years from now P&O UM might have a building like this too. Hehe

We also visited the P&O workshop in Siriraj Hospital, to see their workplace.

After lunch, we went to SNMRC (Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Centre) to see where P&O students study. Their workplace. I envied the workshop with many workstations. The SNMRC is the center for ppl that need Rehab service, include P&O service. Other than that, it has OT, PT services.

Then we went back to Siriraj Hospital and prepared for that night’s dinner. On that dinner, our junior performed dances, silat and multimedia. It’s a night where we share culture and bond to them (second time meeting them after basketball match)

4^th day. Miss Kay and her whole team greet us in the morning at the Sawasdee Khaosan Inn, at took us to Phraepradaeng Rehab Center. It’s a center where ppl with disabilities treated and also given chance to work. At that place they get to learn new skill. There are leather work, electrical, dress making, art and craft workshop. The products are sold and visitors are encouraged to buy as support. I bought a leather belt for my father at this place.

After lunch we went to our second destination of the day which is Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall. It’s a exhibition hall where they tell stories how Bangkok City started. I love the 4^th storey sky view room. We can see views of Bangkok there. Later that day, we wen to rivercity by boat for a Pakistani Food. I had Naan with chicken kurma and tandoori. I don’t know what made me excited-taking boat or a memang-konpem halal food. Haha

5^th Day. We went to Siriraj Hosp for closing ceremony. Miss Kay took us to a market nearby the pier looking for cashew nut. Miss Kay is dearly loved because she’s just ...too nice. (teary eyed)

After the closing ceremony and lunch, we set to Otto Bock Asia Pacific. We get to see their workplace and I imagined myself to be working there. Keh3. Back at hotel, that afternoon we divide by group again, and our group decided togo to  much famous MBK Mall. After much consideration we decided to take the adventurous route-taking the bus (adventure la sangat. tapi dok kat tempat orang tiba2 nak pi lompat naik bas. bereh la tu). Cost 7baht per person (70 sen) and managed to arrive in MBK safely. We had our dinner at MBK Mall 6^th floor where there’s a restaurant called YANA restaurant that served halal Thai food. For the first time in Thailand, I ate Tom Yum *very happy

Then, we were focused on spending money. I bought a LOT of t shirts at 99 baht, souvenirs. Although Mall is huge, but as the shops closed early at 8.40-9.00, we only manage to look around at the 6^th floor only. Then, we took bus AGAIN to the hotel. Arrived safely and post mortem

Last Day. Due to certain problem, we didn’t get to visit the floating market as planned. Unfortunately, the tourist guide took us to the gem & jewellery gallery which I don’t see the reason why. Then we had lunch at one halal food restaurant, nearby a mosque not too far from MBK (because I saw MBK otw). We also ordered dinner and set to train station.

2.40pm we were on the train again. 2.00pm Malaysia time, we arrived in Butterworth and took bus to KL. Ariived in UM at 8 pm, and arrived in home, Bukit Angkasa at 9.30 pm.