We enjoyed our time in Bangkok and can’t believe that we have been here for one week already. We are now in the airport getting ready for our flight to Chiang Mai, another major city in Thailand. Our guide took the opportunity to describe the Thai healthcare system on the drive to the airport. There is universal healthcare here. Each of the 77 provinces in Thailand have their own hospitals and each village has access to medical clinics. There is also a private care system for people with medical insurance. People who work for the government have a benefit package that, for many, makes up for poor wages for civil servants. Not only does the package include quicker access to medical services, but discounts on other services such as air travel. Medical tourism is supported by the government and travel industry. Tourist resorts partner with private hospitals to provide surgeries and rehabilitation services. Most of the medical professionals providing this care are foreign trained.

It was a long, hot day yesterday and we learned so much that I couldn’t include it all in yesterday’s blog. As we explored the Palace, Dome (our guide) told us the story of the myth that was reflected in many of the building decorations in the Grand Palace. Ramayana was the avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god. Ramayana is revered as the embodiment of righteousness and virtue and the story is called the Ramakeien in Thai. The story is told in murals inside the temple of the Emerald Buddha. These Asura Giants guard the gates of the complex.

Dome described that Ramayana had a beautiful wife (Siri). The Demon King became obsessed with her beauty and kidnapped her, taking her to his kingdom. This caused Ramayana to pursue her and the ensuing fight pitted his army, led by Monkey generals, against the Demon King’s forces. Ramayana prevailed and got his wife back and went on to live a peaceful life. The morals of the story are to 1) be faithful to loved ones and 2) struggle with right action as, in the long run, good always wins. These giants are

Dome is also providing us with some insights into Buddhist philosophy. There are three basic rules to follow: 1) don’t do bad things, 2) do good things and 3) purify your mind. These seem pretty simple. Dome was clear that you need to embody all three principles, not just think about avoiding bad/doing good. He reflected that many people seek enlightenment without paying attention to the basics and also tend to be frustrated in their pursuit of happiness.

Many of the statues on the palace grounds are actually Chinese. The Thai would export teak wood to china which is heavy. They would bring back stone carvings or stone blocks as ballast for the return journey. Because it was considered disrespectful to Royal authority to have the stone in private houses, therefore it was put to use in the Palace grounds.

We have arrived in Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand and are settling in before heading out on a tour of the night market – more to come.