2015 Outstanding Employee Overseas Trip—Our Thailand Journey
Time:
2022-07-15
May has been quite turbulent. Both good news and troubles have come flooding in all at once, consuming most of my energy. It’s been several days since I returned from Thailand, yet I still haven’t managed to settle down and jot down notes about this trip. I promised Sister Hua that I’d write a travelogue about Bangkok, but I’ve been putting it off for far too long, leaving me with a lingering sense of guilt. Fortunately, it seems like things are gradually coming to a close, and life—and work—will just have to keep going despite everything...


May has been anything but peaceful. Good news and trouble have all come rushing in at once, consuming most of my energy. It’s been several days since I returned from Thailand, yet I still haven’t been able to settle down and jot down my thoughts about this trip. I promised Sister Hua that I’d write a travelogue about Bangkok, but I’ve been putting it off for far too long, leaving me with a lingering sense of guilt. Fortunately, it seems that things are gradually coming to a close, and life—and work—will just have to keep moving forward...
The trip began in Guangzhou on the evening of May 1st. After a flight lasting just over three hours—Thailand is one hour behind China—by the time we checked into our hotel in Bangkok, it was already midnight local time. Tired and weary, everyone collapsed into a deep sleep as soon as we arrived at the hotel.
Thailand is renowned as the “Land of Buddhism” and the “Land of Elephants.” Its people are deeply devoted to Buddhism, and it’s common for them to ordain at least once in their lifetime. Carrying a “round begging bowl,” they walk tens of kilometers each day, collecting alms to experience firsthand the hardships and sacrifices mothers endure during their nine-month pregnancy—and in doing so, they accumulate merit for themselves and their families before reaching adulthood. Moreover, upon the passing of their parents, they can place their monk’s robe over the deceased parents’ bodies before cremation; in the eyes of Buddhists, this act is considered highly virtuous and blessed. Over 90 percent of Thailand’s population adheres to Buddhism, which is the country’s official state religion and holds an unparalleled, supreme position in the hearts of Thai people—a fact you’ll truly feel as soon as you set foot on this warm and welcoming land.
Our itinerary can be roughly divided into two days in Bangkok and two days in Pattaya.
As a Buddhist, Bangkok feels like a city kissed by the Buddha himself—golden and profoundly sacred. The sunlight in Bangkok is straightforward and unreserved, and the people’s attire is vivid and dazzling. As you stroll through its streets and alleys, golden spires, elegantly curved eaves, glazed tiles, towering pagodas, and statues of Buddhas large and small are everywhere—sometimes brilliantly radiant, sometimes grand and awe-inspiring. Unintentionally, you’ll find yourself deeply moved by this slumbering sense of holiness and solemnity. As a certain poem goes, “In the Southern Dynasties, there were four hundred and eighty temples; how many pavilions and terraces stood amidst mist and rain.” How much vicissitude has been woven into those words, how many conflicts they’ve encapsulated! It’s as if one is lost in the shimmering, timeless expanse of history—a history that both dazzles and stirs profound emotion.
If Beijing’s Forbidden City is vast and profound, with an imposing grandeur, then Bangkok’s Grand Palace is dazzlingly golden and breathtakingly beautiful. The palace, temples, pagodas, and corridors are arranged in a harmoniously staggered fashion, vividly showcasing the region’s history and culture through exquisite carvings and paintings. All of this embodies the essence of the Bangkok Dynasty. As it is considered a sacred site, visitors are required to wear shirts with sleeves and trousers (or skirts) that cover the knees. Within the Grand Palace lies Thailand’s largest temple—the Temple of the Emerald Buddha—home to a jade Buddha statue carved from a single block of emerald. The Buddha’s image is profoundly solemn, and its sculptural artistry is simply priceless! Countless people have crossed oceans and seas just to catch a glimpse of this sacred relic and fulfill their deepest wish. The Jade Buddha is adorned with a priceless gold robe, which changes three times a year—corresponding to the hot season, the rainy season, and the cool season. Each time the seasons change, the king personally presides over a solemn ceremony to dress the Jade Buddha anew, praying for national peace and prosperity. It is truly Thailand’s “national treasure.”
After visiting the Grand Palace, we boarded a cruise ship and set off to glide gently along the Chao Phraya River in the evening. The Chao Phraya River runs right through Bangkok’s urban center, playing a vital role in the city’s transportation system and the daily lives of residents living along its banks. As dusk began to fall, lights along the riverbanks gradually came on, and sightseeing boats slowly set sail on the river’s surface, showcasing the Chao Phraya’s unique and enchanting charm. It gave rise to countless dreams and tender emotions—almost as if, overnight, people’s hearts were freed and blossomed along with the river’s flowing waters.
Over the next two days, we’ll be heading to Pattaya—the city renowned worldwide for its quintessential Southeast Asian blend of crystal-clear seas, sunshine, sandy beaches, fresh seafood, and transgender performers.
Koh Lan is a small island located to the west of Pattaya. As soon as we stepped onto this island, it felt as if we had entered a fairyland. The crystal-clear, transparent waters, the soft, delicate white sand beaches, and the graceful coconut groves all seemed to awaken an endless sense of tenderness and beauty. In that instant, our passion seemed to be ignited and utterly captivated by the exotic scenery. We frolicked carefree in the vast ocean, playing joyfully with the waves; we experienced the thrilling excitement of parasailing; we felt the exhilarating rush of speedboats slicing through the water; and we savored delicious seafood feasts. When we grew tired, we simply sat down on the sandy ground, sipping a glass of pure, fresh coconut juice—letting nature’s nectar and ambrosia cleanse our hearts of decades of life’s trials and tribulations, bringing our souls back to their original, pristine state. How I wish time could freeze right there at that moment...
If daytime Pattaya is dubbed the “Hawaii of the East,” then nighttime Pattaya is reminiscent of Hong Kong’s former “Lan Kwai Fong.” In this country, where sexual openness prevails and gambling is banned but sex isn’t, transgender individuals are a natural product of this unique cultural backdrop. As night falls, couples—both male and female—gather on the streets, their eyes drawn to the dazzling neon lights that flicker with all sorts of seductive allure. Every corner exudes an air of subtle ambiguity, where people’s desires swell and boil over with intensity. In certain theaters, heart-stopping performances unfold, thrilling your nerves and challenging your very sight. No matter what your personal views may be, this reality simply exists—and you can’t help but acknowledge that this place truly offers a haven of relaxation and laughter. Even between two strangers who were once complete strangers, the distance between them might just be a single glass of drink. Here, you can get drunk—or fall in love. I’ve always believed that the air here isn’t just infused with the scent of perfume; it also carries the heady aroma of hormones. It’s precisely these scents that have fueled Thailand’s rapid economic growth and attracted both local and mainland investors to pour massive amounts of capital into this “world of glamour.” Clearly, this has become a vital pillar of Thailand’s economy.
Having reached this point in our writing, our journey has come to an end. Each time we’ve completed a stretch of the road, we’ve found ourselves reluctant to part ways, cherishing those moments fondly. And every time we’ve finished writing a chapter of our story, we’ve been eager to recount it again with great delight. How I dread the passage of time—and how I wish it could freeze right here, at this very moment! Whenever I recall the details of our journey, a smile naturally appears on my lips. Please forgive me for not being able to capture the most breathtaking images along the way, nor to vividly and elaborately paint the beauty of Thailand. Deep down, what truly touched me wasn’t the stunning scenery or the iconic landmarks of bustling cities; rather, it was my colleagues—those who spent each day by my side, supporting and helping one another—and all the people and experiences we encountered along the way.
Finally, I’d like to thank the (Group) Company for giving us this special trip, and I’m deeply grateful to Sister Hua for her meticulous and thoughtful arrangements. I’d also like to express my heartfelt thanks to classmate A Shi for all the hard work she put into taking photos along the way. Although this journey has come to an end, the road ahead of us is still long. I truly believe that we’ll go even further...
(Wuxi Zhengyi Da, Li Lingchen)
Career Development
Contact Us
10th Floor, Building 1, Lingyi Technology Park, No. 62, Longbao West Road, Chancheng District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province