This is the team's second and last weekend in Bangkok. Unfortunately, we realized earlier in the week that we were not going to finish the work we needed by Monday. The decision was made that we had to work on Saturday so we can get our deliverable ready and go sightseeing in Bangkok as a team.
On Saturday, we got a late start and split into 5 teams of 2 to work on SWOT analysis, TOWS matrix and 4Ps framework of our respective markets. The hope for the day was that we would be able to construct slides for everything we have finished and have a coherent powerpoint presentation that includes everything but a final financial analysis for the markets. The teams quickly got to work. We also got a special lunch today, KFC chicken sandwich, drumstick and mashed potatoes. Since some members of the team were not huge fans of meat or fried food, I personally got to have two lunches--win!
When the school building had to shut down at 4:00PM, we were not exactly finished with the presentation. Most teams set up posts at Starbucks to continue working. Since food is extremely important in Thai culture, we ended up going to the night market with our Thai friends to get dinner before "working" some more. The working session officially concluded when some members of the team convinced others that it was time to have some fun on the last weekend night we had in Bangkok.
What is more farang nightlife in Bangkok than Khao San Road?? Since we have not yet been to this infamous nightlife spot in Bangkok, we decided it was finally time to pay a pilgrimage. Khao San Road certainly did not disappoint. Before everything became a blur, I did try a fried scorpion on a stick. I must admit that it was much better than I anticipated. I would try again in the future.
As the clock strikes 3AM, we decide it was time to call it a night, especially since the plan was to get up by 8 to sightsee in town. As any planner knows, things never quite go according to plan. We made it to the train station by 10AM and to Grand Palace by 11:30AM. It was a sweltering day in Bangkok but it felt awesome to finally spend sometime in Old Town Bangkok and see what was once the residence of the King. Admissions to Grand Palace also included entrance to Wat Phra Kaew, or Temple of the Emerald Buddha. We had lunch at the food court of Siam Paragon, one of the most luxurious malls in downtown Bangkok that might put famous shopping malls such as South Coast Plaza to shame. After a quick nap in the afternoon, we met up with Prof. Ralph Christy, Director of CIIFAD for a dinner at a traditional Thai restaurant before heading back to the hotel to finally finish the presentation at 1AM.
See you all tomorrow!
No comments:
Post a Comment