Oh boy what a long flight! Praise the Lord there were a heap of decent movies to watch, two meals and snacks to keep my fed and occupied. I’d forgotten what it was like to fly with Qantas, I usually take the budget airlines and my own food. After boarding I asked the stewardess if I could please move to an aisle seat as I didn’t want to disturb the guy next to me every time I needed to get up to the toilet (which was many times). She agreed I could move after take-off but needed to return to my seat before landing. Do you know why that is? Many years ago, I was told by a pilot, that if the plane went down and our body was unrecognisable, our teeth would be at seat allotted to us and therefore we would be quickly identified by our dentures.
On landing in Bangkok I refused to get stressed about the official checkpoints, although I could feel it rising in me. I had all the documents needed for immigration printed out by Vi-Lay before leaving. I had only just read I needed it printed the night before my flight. While queuing up, I asked an official if I had all the necessary documents, she said yes and asked me my age then escorted me across the waiting area to where the elderly, young families and disabled had a different area for their checks. I only had to wait for the lady in front of me to go through. Wow! Thanks Lord, I had forgotten people 70 years and over were elderly and given special privileges. What a blessing. Sometimes it’s nice when people know your age, not that I’ve ever been shy about it.
I breezed through immigration without a hitch, receiving a two month visa. I then waited for my heavy check-in suitcase which a lovely assistant helped me retrieve from the chock-a-block carrousel. With two cases in tow I headed for the exit then, keeping inside the airport building, I asked where I could catch a Grab (same as our Uber) and was directed to the first floor. Here I joined the scrum all waiting for their Grab. It was then 5:15pm (three hours ahead of Sydney) and I could feel the weariness coming on. It took 15mins for the driver to arrive, I’d sent him a photo of me so he could look out for me in the mingling mob. During this time, I was so tired, I had left my suitcase behind the rail behind me, unattended for 10 mins. Praise the Lord when I noticed, it was still there where I had left it.
It took us nearly two hours to reach my hotel! During the drive I kept looking at the app and Google Maps to see if we were heading in the right direction. Praise the Lord for my new eSIM it was working beautifully, and when I looked back that night I had spent less than 15c. As we were nearing our destination I realised I kept seeing the signs for the international airport. I was confused so asked the driver “which airport did he pick me up from?” He said it was the other international airport Suvarnabhumi. When I had booked my accommodation I looked for something near the airport but didn’t realise it was not the one I had arrived at. But God is still in control as Don Muang was the airport I needed to be near for the flight to Mae Sot the following day. Thank you Lord once again for ordering my steps.
I was so tired, although I was dropped outside the right hotel, I went to one with a similar name two doors down. When the girl couldn’t find my reservation she asked to see my booking then helped me take my heavy suitcase to the right hotel. These hotels are only a few rooms; in fact two on each floor and only four floors, but they are clean and have their own bathrooms.
By now I was exhausted, even though it was only just after 8pm when I had finally unpacked a few things for the night, showered and jumped into bed. I slept quite well until 2am (or 5am AEST which was my usual time to wake), I had a splitting headache but still managed to do my Bible studies as I do when I wake during the night; then I took something for the headache and, praise the Lord, slept till 5am Thailand time.
On waking I remembered to check-in online for my next flight, Mae Sot, then took my time getting ready and repacking my bags again to comply with the required weight restrictions. I also read through my last post before emailing it to Elaine. I was so hungry at 6am I had an early breakfast, no one else was about. It was then I did a bit of snooping around and noticed there was a coffee machine! Wow, it’s so exciting the Lord had led me to book a room where they had a barista on duty. She didn’t arrive till 8am and knowing she would need to warm up the machine, I told her I’d like a coffee later. During the wait I went for a walk down the street and came across a local market. How exciting. My choice of accommodation was obviously led of the Lord. As I was wandering around the market checking out all the goodies, I stumbled upon a table full of durian! I could buy a segment for 60 Baht. The exchange rate is around 24 Baht to $1.00 Aust. What a bargain and so soft, fresh and tasty! I also bought some snacks for my lunch as I didn’t want to buy food at the airport.
Back at the hotel, I ordered a double shot frappe and chatted with the Thai girl in my broken Thai. I must have sat there for an hour chatting. When I went to pay she said I could have it for free. I can’t believe how blessed I’ve been. It’s a sure sign the Lord want’s me here. I feel so at home especially as I can communicate even if it is in broken Thai. This wonderful lady then ordered my Grab so I could use her discount code. I left the hotel at 10:30am with plenty of time before my flight at 2:45pm.
I checked my baggage in and received my ticket and drank my water before going through the checkpoint. All good. Near the departure gate I looked for a spot to catch up with my writings but there was too much glare coming through the windows. As I was closing my computer/tablet the woman beside me started chatting. She asked if I was flying to Chiang Mai as I was sitting at that 
departure gate. We ended up sharing our Line contact (similar to WhatsApp but used more frequently in Asia). She wanted to catch up with me in Chiang Rai on 15th June. She runs a visa, interpretation and language school in Chiang Mai and Bangkok but wanted to open a café at the language school in Chiang Mai and asked if I would like to help her with my expertise. I said I was no expert but might be able to help make a good coffee.
I was finally boarding, taking the seniors privilege once again and jumping the queue through the priority line. There weren’t many people on the flight and as we approached Mae Sot, it was quite rough, I wondered if it was because of the terrain we were flying over – jungle. It certainly looked like jungle below us. Before leaving the airport, I had sent my host family a photo of what I was wearing so that they would recognise me. In return they too sent me a photo of who was picking me up. Dan, his daughter Angie and his brother Ben were waiting for me at Mae Sot international airport. I had been warned that immigration officers here would check my passport when I arrived. They also took photos of me as well as of my passport but didn’t ask for an address of where I was staying which was a relief as I am flying under the radar a bit staying with my host family.
Photos: 1. Peacock flower – Caesalpinia pulcherrima 2. Durian at Market 3. Barista on duty 4. Flying into Mae Sot
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for His continuing grace, providing leading, guidance and protection during my flight and arrival in Thailand.
Please pray for Dan and his family here that Australia will accept their application for a migrant visa and they will be able to relocate to Australia soon.
Please continue to pray for my journey and travels through Thailand, that the Lord will continue to lead and guide me so that I can be effective in the work He calls me to do.
Please continue to pray that the Lord will use me to be a blessing to others while I’m in Mae Sot..
Praise the Lord for His presence, peace and strength as I travel to Chiang Mai and through to Chiang Rai on the 11th June.
Please continue to pray for my Indonesian visa which is being held up as I’m unable to login to the portal to make payment.
Continue to pray for world peace and countries dealing with major disasters, wars and the unbelievable hardships they cause. Pray for all those caught up in the suffering these events have caused. Pray that God’s peace may be known by all people especially for those who live with despair, that they will find hope in Christ Jesus.
Please keep my sisters, Tricia, Jen and Kat, in your prayers. Pray that they will come to know the love of Jesus.