Exploring the City of Angels

This is HEAVEN. This is BANGKOK.

Welcome to Chulalonglorn University,
the leading university in Thailand!

I was too excited the moment I received the letter of acceptance from the 23rd Southeast Asian Linguistics Society (SEALS23) that our paper entitled “Lexicalization of Profanity in Cebuano and Bahasa Sug” would be presented in the conference and the host university, Chulalangkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand would be giving me a travel grant. This is indeed awesome! So, I immediately processed my papers and the president of my university, University of Southeastern Philippines approved my travel to Thailand from May 29- June 2, 2013. Vacation. Vacation. Oh, this is life. This is heaven in Bangkok.

May 29, 1.a.m., I arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport pronounced as [sù.wān.nā.pʰūːm]; from Sanskrit, सुवर्णभूमि, meaning Golden Land), and also known as (New) Bangkok International Airport. And I was all alone in this trip. Oh la la la. I immediately hired a taxi and I instructed him to send me to Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square. I already had an idea about what Novotel Siam is and thanks to the power of internet. And yes, it is a 4-star hotel in the vibrant centre of Bangkok. With 423 well-appointed rooms, this is the perfect destination for both business trips and holidays. Thanks to Dr. Jubilado for the accommodation. Thanks to the University of Hawaii. USeP cannot give this accommodation to international research presenters.

I rested. I felt the contemporary design, spacious, and adaptable executive room in the 14th floor of Novotel. This room welcomes me with everything I want and I need for a truly comfortable stay: flat screen television, air-conditioned, elegant toilet, generously sized bedroom with an open plan lounge area and city views of Bangkok. Truly, executive room!

May 29, 7 a.m., I woke up comfortably and was ready to attend the 23rd Meeting of Southeast Asian Linguistics Society in Chulalongkorn University, just a few steps from the hotel. Chulalongkorn University is the oldest and one of the most prestigious universities in Thailand, and was founded in its present form in 1917 by King Vajiravudh ( Rama IV). It was named after his father , King Chulalongkorn ( Rama V), who laid the foundations for modern education in Thailand. In keeping with the shred vision of both kings, Chulalongkorn University has maintained its reputation for academic excellence ever since, and has been instrumental in national development. Chulalongkorn University, known familiarly as “Chula”, extends over a 456-acre tract of land. It has grown constantly in the near-century since its founding, and today is a comprehensive university offering 500 programs in almost all areas of study, 87 of them international. Both traditional academic disciplines and interdisciplinary studies are included. The enrolment is currently approximately 39, 000 students.

And yes, SEALS is here in Chula. The Annual Meeting of the Southeast Asian Linguistics Society is a proud tradition cherished by community of linguists from USA, Asia, Australia sharing an interest in the languages of Southeast Asia. It aims to promote academic exchanges as well as to foster the network among scholars working on the languages of Mainland and Insular Southeast Asia. And this is what I love. Connections. Connections.

The paper presenters from Asia, USA, and Australia
during the first day of theSEALS Conference.

And of course, part of the travel is exploring what Bangkok has to offer. Since our hotel is in Siam Square, the near shopping mall is no other than the pride of Bangkok, the Siam Paragon. It houses world-class clothing lines, and I and fellow Filipino presenters from Summer Institute of Linguistics were just up to window shopping only. We experienced also the 3D Cinema and I was in awe that time. We had a coffee session also with the Filipino presenters from University of the Philippines – Diliman, and thanks to Dr. Jubilado for the treat! We experienced also the Chatuchak weekend market, the world’s largest market, which offers a wide variety of products including household items, clothing, Thai handicrafts, religious artifacts, collectibles, foods, and live animals. And I bought here my pasalubongs! It is estimated that the market receives 200,000 visitors each day.

We visited also the famous Patpong Night Market in Silom. Patpong is a must night shopping destination in Thailand as it offers not just items for pasalubongs, but also sexy girls, and handsome boys, and gays. Bars are sprouting like mushroom. Live shows, ladies wearing only panty and bra, and men in briefs are in the streets tempting the tourists. A Thai approached us and said, “ Hello Sir. Do you want BOOM BOOM?”. Oh what is BOOM BOOM? I asked my fellow presenter. He said, “ It’s sex. They thought we are Indonesians or Malaysians.” There are many Indonesians, Malaysians, Americans and other nationalities who are enjoying the pleasure of life. Sex is rampant here, so if you want to feel heaven, visit SILOM and do the BOOM BOOM!

Swimming session before attending the conference.

Life is beautiful in Thailand. Swimming and going to Physical Fitness Center of Novotel were just few of my activities there. How I wish I can do these in the Philippines, my beloved country.

Enjoying the Fitness Center at Novotel.

These are just some of the pleasures in Thailand. Indeed, there is heaven in Bangkok!