2019.01.20. Bangkok Adventures Part 1: Hello, Bangkok!

(Now: Just about to sleep.) 

My team and I are attending the 9th International Conference on Applied Physics and Mathematics 2019 (ICAPM 2019) in Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. 

This is the fulfilment of our plans two years ago when Mich was still planning to enter the M.S. Physics program. The plan was to get out of the country for conferences for her second year. This Conference is also special because this is the first international conference participation of our group in the De La Salle University. Mich, Nessa, Camille, and myself will all be joining the conference. 

My first international conference with my new affiliation.

We had separate flight arrangements, and we will just meet in the Airbnb we rented in downtown Bangkok. Mich and I spent the entire afternoon and early night (the flight, of course, was delayed) in the airport. Good thing we never run out of things to talk about (right, Mich? 😉)

Waiting for the plane to arrive.

Tired and sleepy

Eventually, the plane did arrive and we were able to take our seats inside. We just wanted to sleep, although some... thing prevented us from doing so. 😂. We tried to close our eyes during the entire flight, until, after a few hours, we got close to our destination, and saw this from the window.

Bangkok roads at night

Mich immediately asked for my camera, which I hurriedly set to night mode to be able to capture the features below. You see, Mich is working on the road network layout of different cities, and she is really fascinated with the structures they form in space. Incidentally, Bangkok, Thailand is set to be included in our data sets, as it is expected to be the third Southeast Asian megacity (the other two being Manila, Philippines and Jakarta, Indonesia) in the next decade.

And finally, touchdown Bangkok!

Our first impression of the city is quite good because of the efficient taxi lanes. All the taxis are to be requested from a self-queue electronic portal just outside the airport, similar to what we have in major banks today. After getting a number, you will have to walk a few meters to find the taxi waiting for you at their designated waiting area. I don’t know if we just arrived at a not-so-heavy time (we arrived late in the evening) so we didn’t experience any hassle, but still, compared to the decentralized system in Manila, this is so efficient you will scratch your head thinking about why we can’t implement it in our own country.

Taxi bays and queue system: very efficient! 

As for the traffic situation, well, again, there can be no conclusion about the volume of vehicles because we arrived late at night. One thing that is very noticeable, though, is the fact that they have lots and lots of elevated expressways; it’s as if they covered their entire road network with a system of Skyways above. Again, we don’t have this extensive network in the Philippines (yet). Mich and I were even joking that everything is “like Manila... but better.”

When we finally got down from the elevated expressways, we observed that the districts are similar to the upscale districts in Metro Manila. We are reminded of Ortigas, or Bonifacio Global City, Eastwood, or Makati Central Business District. I remembered my comments about the views from Manila, especially the old districts; I couldnt help but compare. Again, however, no conclusion can be made; we only observed this section of the big metropolis.

The drive at night.

Views from outside the car window.

After a few minutes, we arrived at our hotel! Nessa and Camille arrived an hour earlier. Of course, an obligatory picture-taking ensued.

My team. In Bangkok.

We had a chance to look around. The place is HUGE! We have the whole place to ourselves! I’m sure we will enjoy our stay.

The center dining table, with the whole living room in the background and the three rooms, three bathrooms on the sides. Behind me is a kitchen and laundry area. The place is huge! 

The view outside is also stunning. We are in the middle of an urban jungle. I will take another picture tomorrow morning.

For now, time to enjoy the master’s bedroom that I have all to myself. ■