Good Eats!

After we left the University, we took a short drive to eat lunch at a restaurant along the Chao Phraya River. We had a delicious family style meal and enjoyed the sun while sitting outside on the deck. 

After catching up on some sleep, we met up as a group to reflect on the day before heading to dinner at the famous Cabbages and Condoms. This restaurant was opened to promote a better understanding of safe condom use and family planning. It is used to generate income to support various development activities of the Population and Community Development Association. The restaurant has a beautiful and fun atmosphere as shown below. 

Health Care System in Thailand

To begin our Thailand APPE experience,we had a lecture discussing the health care system in Thailand. The Thai health care system has been recently reformed as part of the 11th national economic and social development plan that is based on his majesty the King's sufficiency economy philosophy and focuses on people centered development. Major elements of the reform include focusing on health building rather than health repairing, developing a universal coverage of health services and improving the quality of care. The reform has resulted in a universal health care plan that covers almost 100% of the Thai people. The reform also has placed a large burden on the government to front the bill. The health care system in Thailand is much different than the predomiately private health care system found in the United States. Today's lecture was an excellent introduction in understanding the Thai health system and I am exicited to learn more about it during the next few weeks.
                            

Happy birthday Maura!

A very happy birthday to Maura Brennan! A birthday to remember forever! Complete with the gift of jet lag!

Cabbages and Condoms restaurant: our first APPE night!

Fabulous dinner with Am and Noi and the whole group! I must say, this group of APPE does black, white and gray in style!

Western New England learners rocking the black and white!

As we prepare to travel to Thailand, we have received the following news:

The King of Thailand, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-remaining monarch and longest serving head of state, died on October 13 at the age of 88. As the nation’s central unifying figure, head of state, and spiritual leader for over 70 years, his passing is expected to merit an extended period of official national mourning of at least 100 days, with a shorter immediate period in which some businesses will close and people will be expected to wear black, gray or white clothing. Thousands of Thai nationals have congregated outside of Sririraj Hospital in Bangkok to pay their respects. Cultural sensitivities may be heightened at this time, so public speculation about the royal transition in Thailand, including comments made over social media, is discouraged. The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok has encouraged American citizens to maintain decorum during the extended period of mourning.

You will notice in our photos that we will be conforming with the dress-code out of respect for the period of mourning. 

This will be a unique time in history for our students to be visiting Thailand, one that most travelers will never experience.