Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej died in October after seven decades on the throne. The Grand Palace is an amazing site that includes both the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho — but my visit today felt surreal for another reason: the complex continues to be flooded daily with mourners for Thailand’s late king. It’s a difficult time for Thailand, but as a foreigner it’s a fascinating time to be here.
A different perspective on Bangkok’s tallest building …
Foreign signs are the best …
I took a walk last night and it put me in a terrible mood. It’s my own fault, really—because I intentionally went to a part of Yangon that would never be recommended on a tourist map. The sheer number of kids that were naked on the sidewalk and bathing in dirty water just pummeled me emotionally. I’ve seen that sort of thing in Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam, and it never gets easy.
But last night was the worst.
I felt helpless, and it made what I’m doing here seem pointless. It simply doesn’t matter how much good you try to do—there is so much misery in this part of the world. There are so few people who are willing to do anything about it.
And then this morning I got an email that really restored my faith in humanity.
A former student of mine is going to Thailand this summer to do missions-oriented humanitarian work for a month. It’s amazing and inspiring and extraordinary—and I am so freaking proud of you, Babo.
Here is the link to her GoFundMe page.
If you can help by posting her link to social media, then that would also be extraordinary.
Tucker Elliot 