Historical Pilgrimage Through Thailand

January, I had the privilege of going to Thailand to experience changes 40 years after Viet Nam Crisis era. Our guide was a military Chaplin who worked with veterans and any interested in healing and growing from the difficult time. Pastor Herb Cleveland was our tour guide and friend in orienting us in this country previously known as Siam. Seeing “Anna and the King” was only a glimpse into an exciting ancient civilization.
We spent a week in Bangkok seeing palaces, walking tours of local markets, and learning about the city’s history.






















A quick flight allowed a tour of Chang Mai, visits to churches and monasteries; including the one the King of Siam spends a portion of his life. We paid homage to the Buddhist Temples.




A ride on Asian elephants in Teak Rain Forest was only a portion of the excitement. Some of these elephants paint and their works are auctioned and sold to help pay their expenses. Some of them even enjoy playing soccer. There was a marvelous orchid farm, growing orchids in air, and botanical gardens. Walking exploration of street and night markets exhibited a variety of clothes, native, and eclectic collection of merchandise. Children performed their native cultural dances on stage and some of these markets and dinner theatres.

We visited the Golden Triangle of historic fame where opium was the major money maker in the 60s and 70s. Today’s biggest industry, with the help of the King, is now tobacco, coffee, manufactured goods, and tourism. It’s beautiful with an impressive museum regarding the history of opium, its impact to the area and damage to the human body. We experienced the border of Thailand, Laos, and Burma(now Myanmar).

Payap University at Chang Mai was marvelous and impressive for an international university in this north Thailand area. We were honored to receive a tour of this academic institution.

There is a remarkable organization called New Life Center with a mission. It is a Christian organization which seeks to empower and equip at-risk or exploited tribal women through education and training, in order to create positive change in their lives and in society. We got to meet and participate in contributing to some courageous young women attending this center growing to positive responsible adults.