Educational Trip to Phatthalung on 8th December 2021

Reported by Ven. Zhen Yuan
On 8-12-2021, we organized the first trip of year 2021 to Phatthalung province. Students had their first visit after the lockdown began in March 2020 in Thailand. The purpose was to have an opportunity to release the mind from stress after the exams. The aims were to develop a fresh mind and body to continue studies after the two-week holiday.
The students gathered together at the foyer at 7.30 am. At the end of the trip, the team members arrived safely back at IBC at 7.00 pm.
The transportation was arranged as follows:
Pick-up 1 – Mr. Khoo Ban Tong
1 Ven. Shawon Barua
2 Ven. Aung Thui
3 Ven. Ratan Barua
4 Mr. Kazal Baru
5 Ven. Phrupa Heera
6 Ven. Saksith

Pick-up 2 – Ms. Aod
1 Ven. Niloy Barua
2 Ven. Khamyeang
3 Ven. Buntham
4 Ven. Indaka
5 Ven. Chandra
6 Ven. Silar

The places visited were:
1. Ban Khok Wua Handicraft Center
2. Muang Kao Chai Buri Forest Part
3. Samphao Thai or Napoleon Local Culture
Sam Phao, was named after trading ships used in Southeast Asia in the 17th century. It was established in 2009 as a family-owned restaurant. Their cooking has developed over the years and has seen a continuous influence of new ideas and techniques from their excellent chefs without compromising the authentic taste of original Thai Cuisine.
They served organic herbs and spices collected from quality-assured sources plus the famed skill of their chefs in food presentation, Sam Phao Thai Cuisine (Located in Old Town Alexandria) handed out the homemade family-style Thai food, rich in flavor, in a comfortable, relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
4. Thale Noi:
A tour of the Thale Noi tour wetlands lasts between 2 and 3 hours. The best time to start the visit is at 5:30 am, just before sunrise. The journey has many twists and turns through the waterways. The scenery was diverse as we passed through large and small, fresh, brackish and saltwater rivers, flooded forests, and lakes scattered with birds and water buffalo. The scenery that inspired us the most was the water lily blossom.