Business Duration: 29th October 2012 – 1st November 2012
Vacation: 2nd November 2012 – 6th November 2012
Day 1: 29th October 2012 (Monday)
Time flies where it is again the moment for the yearly CDM Booster Meeting and this year, the selected location was in the capital of Thailand- Bangkok. Together with 2 of the CDM Data Managers from MAL, we boarded on MH788 at 12:25pm heading to the Suvarnabhumi Airport. The pre-booked limousine taxi was waiting for us at the exit on time with a placard. The check-in process in the hotel was rather slow but thankfully we were being served with some syrup drinks to quench our thirst while waited to get the room key. A stay at VIE- the 5 star boutique hotel located at Ratchathewi (within a walking distance to some major shopping spots such as Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon and MBK) was excellent offering scrumptious meals and outstanding services. The upgraded room with 76-81 m² having a large working space, two flat screen TVs, electronic safe and beautiful Jim Thompson silk furnishings, separate living room and shower room with separate bathtub including Aigner amenities was superb.
After some nearby walk-around and taking a break in the room, we need to get ready for the first meet-up dinner. There was this envelope placed through the door to each of our room by the hotel management, reminding us to gather at the hotel lobby for group dinner at 6.30pm. We have had participants from FI, TH, MY, SG, IN, HK, CN, AU, PH, AE, DE and again, I get to meet some new faces this time compared to last year. This first buffet dinner meant for ice-breaking was great and I am in love with some of the food such as Chuka Chinmi, Iidako, Chuka Kurage and Hiyashi Wakame (why does it sounds Japanese rather than Thai…lol) 
Day 2: 30th October 2012 (Tuesday)
The kick-off meeting started at 8.30am begins our day long discussion. It was often fattening to attend meetings as we were being well-served with breakfast, lunch, 2 tea breaks and dinner. The dinner was taken in one of the authentic Thai restaurant- Ban Khun Mae serving scrumptious local delights and typical Thai dishes. There was this impromptu role acting team building game led by our Chinese colleague (A game of Wolf, Witch, Villages, Prophet, and Guardian) where all of us were laughing merrily and enjoying throughout the session.
Day 3: 31st October 2012 (Wednesday)
The meeting begins at 9.00am and ending at 4.00pm enable us to conclude on various topics. Most of the participants departed gradually that evening leaving only few of us in VIE. A walk in the nearby shopping malls and dinner with some of the colleagues from KHK and CHN was pleasant in taking some topics off and beyond work. The items in the shopping malls were dazzling and pleasant to the eyes which will often caused one to overspend if the person is not well controlled.
Day 4: 1st November 2012 (Thursday)
A visit to the Thailand office located in Chatuchak is planned where I intend to meet up with some of the Thai colleagues which I have long liaised with but yet to have the chance to meet them face-to-face. Since the BTS system is very convenient where it connects almost every major city and due to the horribly congested road traffic in town, I decided to take the BTS instead of a taxi. However, the major concern was rather the communication hindrances whereby not all Thai speaks English. I have had a hard and difficult time communicating with the taxi driver but nevertheless, I arrived at the destination safe and sound. (Thanks to the Thai colleague who passed me a written map in Thai whereby I can show it to the taxi driver)
Day 5: 2nd November 2012 (Friday)
As this business trip was coincidentally held just a day before my friend’s holiday trip planned a year ago, I therefore get a chance to enjoy my vacation with a group of 10 friends for the next 4 days. After checking out from VIE early in the morning at 7.30am, I needed to travel to Khaosan to meet them in view of the fact that a van was booked from Khaosan to Pattaya. Beach, blue sky and crowd, we finally arrived at Pattaya after a few hours ride. A relaxing day spent in Pattaya with a swim at the beach, leg massage, and strolling-around at the night market and walking street.
Day 6: 3rd November 2012 (Saturday)
The morning was still spent in Pattaya and we were backed to Bangkok around evening. After checking in the Sleep Withinn, we walked to the night market to settle our dinner. The choices around that area were rather disappointing where we could only get some similar foodstuffs along the street rather than being offered with a variety of choices. The night was spent in one of the bar having some cocktails and snacks where I get to taste the delicious cheese wanton. Everyone then return to their room for a good night rest preparing for a long shopping day tomorrow.
Day 7: 4th November 2012 (Sunday)
I was once again backed to chatuchak but this time it is for shopping rather than for business! This weekend market is still as hot as before, so crowded and so happening. Couldn’t believe that most of the breakfasts were settled at 7-Eleven having their instant rice-burger, bento and yoghurt drinks to appease our hunger. But undeniably these are indeed delectable. However I am still unable to get myself much stuff in this market where I only get to buy not more than 5 items. Upon our return to the hotel, all of us were worn out. Nonetheless, an ad-hoc birthday cake from Swenson was bought to celebrate the birthday of dai lou.
Day 8: 5th November 2012 (Monday)
This is the day where I get to witness the shopping spree of a group of shopaholic in Pratunam. With many bags of goods purchased, they are still able to grab more stuffs by hand carry. We took our lunch in the famous Cabbages & Condoms Restaurant (where every decoration was made by condoms) and then proceed to Terminal 21 for shopping. The concept of market streets of the world in different floors was excellently decorated with well-known city streets scene such as Rome, Paris, Tokyo, London, Istanbul, San Francisco and Hollywood. Since this is the last night for us to be in this lively city, we decided to watch some shows eventually. We bought the ticket to the ladyboy show- Calypso Cabaret at THB900 and proceeded to the destination with a boat ride. To my disappointment, the show was 85% similar compared to 4 years ago and nothing much changes. After the show, we still have sometime to shop around Asiatique before the shops were fully closed and off business for the day. After some discussion and contemplation, we finally decided to watch the live ping-pong show in one of the club down town. Photographs are strictly prohibited in there whereby holding on to your phone will also be suspected and reprimanded. The end of the show does caused us to ponder about life whereby living as a woman, they were to sacrifice themselves for a living while we should be thankful for what we have now.
Day 9: 6th November 2012 (Tuesday)
MH783 arriving back in KL at 8:20pm unfortunately ended my trip with much physical exhaustion rather than relaxation. However I am grateful to be able to enjoy my days with a group of crazy mates once again. Overall, this city looks rather the same compared to my last visit 4 years ago. One of the concern before the trip was non other than the unpredictable weather during this rainy season, but thankfully the weather turns out to be good for the whole journey where we get to enjoy our days there despite the burning hot sun shining above us. This is a trip full of coconut ice-cream, som-tam, coconut juice and pineapple drinks where I think I am gaining tons of weight this time. Of course with the 7-Elevan, we get to buy most of our “souvenirs”- the Lay’s Potato Chips….lol
