Bangkok – the City & the Convention

Arrival

            There were many Rotarians throughout the airport to assist Rotarians to finding the correct carrousel where their luggage can be picked up.  More were at the luggage counter to point you to transportation.  It was important to cash your nation’s currency into Bhat in order to pay the taxi fare.  You also learned that taxi drivers do not speak English, or languages other than Thai.  You were expected to pay the tolls for the expressway….that is what the driver wanted when holding out their hand at the tollgate.

Airport To Hotel

            Traffic?  Traffic?  Traffic?  Yes, Bangkok is known for its traffic, but it is much better now than in previous years.  The expressways have help a great deal.  If you were unfortunate and arrived during the morning or evening rush hours, you had an extra hour or more to enjoy the trip, people, motorcycles, tuk-tuks, stalls, and the new architecture being built during the ride.

The IMPACT Convention Halls

            If you did not bring comfortable shoes, hopefully you bought a pair for use the rest of your days at the convention.  Upon arriving at convention via bus, taxi, or skyway, there were more Rotarians that have volunteered to guide you to the registration hall; a really massive room to gather your registration materials, complete with a free SIM card for your cellular phone, free Skyway pass, and program materials.  Many then crossed the room to gather ribbons showing their present and past offices in Rotary.  By this time the free water bottles looked very enticing before heading to another building to the Plenary Sessions or House of Friendship.

Plenary Sessions

            WOW … was the comment of many as they entered the HUGE hall where the Plenary Sessions were held.  If you were listed for the 1st session, you had long lines greeting you since her Royal Highness; the Princess of Thailand presented the welcome address.  Due to the special security, an early entrance and seating was required.  This was a good time though to look at the size of the hall and wonder how many it seated.  Some were comparing its size to that of convention halls in their own country.  I used the extra time after being inside take many photos that can be used for the ROTI Breadbasket, the Philippine Rotary Magazine, and our district website. 

            After to official greetings, the Rotary VP and President (NAMES) provided the customary addresses which can be download at rotary.org for your personal information.  The entertainment by Thailand’s singers and dancers were very colorful and representative of its culture.

House of Friendship

            The first thing one noticed upon entering the HOF, were the Peace Gardens.  As Rotarians learned they were to be used, rather than just observed, they began to sit in them with Thailand natives and experience the beauty and calm to be found within them.  The noticeable difference I saw from the House of Friendships in past RI Conventions was the fewer commercial booths.   Missing were exhibits and sales of Russell-Hampton, Gerry White Pin Company and many others to which we have been accustomed.  A pleasant addition was the RAGs and Rotary club booths where there were many more that in the past.The entertainment on the two stages appeared to have captured the attention of many Rotarians since the seating area was at full capacity all day.

Food and Beverages

            The Food Court was interesting, but created problems for many.  To purchase food you first had to buy a card from which the price of your meal was deducted.  Now you had to check the dozen or so food services to see what you might want, then you had to add up the amount of that food and then buy a card to cover that purchase.  Any amount not used on the card had to be redeemed the day of purchase.  I was told it was done to eliminate payment at each food booth, they just swiped your card.  This system created waits of an hour for some to get a card in one line, then wait for the food in another.

            Many decided not to use the Thai food court and went downstairs to find Subway, Burger King, McDonalds KFC, an Irish Pub, and many others that specialize in “fast food.”

Breakout Sessions & Workshops

            The major problem that created difficulty for many was the lack of signage for the workshops and presentations on special topics.   The Schedule Book listed them by room numbers, which were hard to find.  A sign outside the rooms would have proven beneficial.  This has been done at many past conventions and found to be helpful, especially when those presentations are scattered in several locations in unfamiliar buildings to visitors.

The Bangkok Airport

            I was impressed with the airport, especially in its design and availability of choices in shopping and eating.  The information counter near the entrance directed us to the wrong lane to find our airline check-in.  This may not have been their fault since it had recently merged with another airline.  Securing a boarding pass and checking baggage was fast and efficient, and special thanks should be given for the FREE luggage carts.  Several money exchanges were available in the main terminal to change your remaining Thai Bhat to your desired currency.  I changed all but kept enough for food after clearing the main terminal and entering the departure area.  Upon entering the departure area of Bangkok’s airport traveler discovers numerous brand name shops with high-ended goods.  The shops offer a great place to max out a credit card, or just admire the beautiful surroundings.  I decided to keep my credit cards in my wallet, but used my camera to capture the remarkable efforts of the architectural designs and angular patterns of the building itself

Ron Nethercutt
TRF Major Donor,
ROTI Chair 07-09
District Rotary Information Chair
RC Mabalacat   D 3790
Angeles City, Philippines
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The ROTI dinner arrangements for Bangkok have been completed. Notification has been sent to everyone we know is attending the Convention, but I wanted to send this to the lists in case we have missed someone.

We will hold the dinner at the ROTI hotel - the Rembrandt Bangkok.  The dinner will be at 6:00 pm in a private room designated as "Rotarians on the Internet".  The cost will be 950 Baht (~32 USD), which includes the full meal, taxes and gratuities..  It will be a combination of cuisines to suit every taste.  The environment and setting will be elegant.

This will be an excellent opportunity to meet the people you have chatted on the list and build fellowship.  If you have someone who is not a member of ROTI, invite.  We would enjoy showing them what our fellowship is about.  We may be able to get them to join.

I hope the Convention will enhance your Rotary life.

Steve

Steve Sokol
Rotary Club of Walhalla, South Carolina, USA
Garden of the Gods
District 7750