Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Asian Trails launches Bangkok slum tours-09 March, 2010

Monday, March 8, 2010

Asian Trails launches Bangkok slum tours-09 March, 2010

"BANGKOK - Tour operator Asian Trails has launched visits to “the hidden slum world of Bangkok”.

The Klong Toey area is the oldest and largest slum in Bangkok.

Asian Trails says the slum communities are made up of a majority of rural migrants from northeast Thailand who came to Bangkok for job opportunities.

Tours - held every Wednesday -visit the Duang Prateep Foundation whose primary focus has been to help the urban poor, with a special emphasis on community development and on giving the best possible opportunities to the children of the area.

Tour participants receive an overview of the project and also interact with young schoolchildren.

Asian Trails says, “This eye opening experience…aims to counter the negative image of slums and increase understanding and empathy.”

A donation of THB 250 per person is donated to the Duang Prateep Foundation."

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.