Travel | The Kingdom of Thailand - Rest Dear King

I never have any experience living in a country or even just a community with a royal family. Since the Philippines is not a kingdom, the highest person in authority is the Republic President. Perhaps the nearest experience I had regarding a royal family is during my visit at the Sultanate of Brunei Darrusalam, but a Sultan is different from a king but both are the righteous authorities of their areas of jurisdiction. However, being in a place with monarchy, it is very different.

Portrait of the King and Queen

Area of the Grand Palace

Arch in Major Thoroughfares

My visit in the Kingdom of Thailand is just so recent that amazes me of how high the Thai people regard to the royal family. You will see in every ministry of the country are the portraits of the king and queen. Not only that, even on some major streets you will see the portaits and there are arches that show the portrait of their royalties. The government offices are also decorated with yellow and sky blue cloth formed like ribbons or flags. Also, every 6:00 PM, the national anthem of Thailand is played with a video of their majesty and all Thai people will stand in respect.

Travel | Stories When Your Flight is Cancelled

Check-in Counter E

The Philippines is highly vulnerable with flight cancellations due to force majeure or natural phenomena such as typhoon, monsoon rains or flood Manila airport. Since the capital Manila is the main gateway of the country, it really is a sure destination where some cancellations of flight will be experienced. It is not a fun thing in the Philippines, though.

Okay, let me share my experience with the recent typhoon with a local name Karen. I am having a vacation in Thailand where my connection to the Internet is less to none. I haven't availed any simcard for Internet connection. I only am connecting via the wifi of either the bus, hostel or airport (if the airport is generous enough to have free wifi).

A day before the flight, I have checked my e-mail if there are flight cancellations made. I received none at that time so I am very confident that the flight is sure to go. However, I really have that feeling of anxiety and I can't sleep. I am worried with my flight and the typhoons. Eventually, I am able to sleep and get up early to proceed to the airport.

To my surprise, there is a long queue of passengers for the same flight I have. I am thinking that my flight is f**ked up! In situations like that, I must keep myself calm and everything will be fine. Since there is a long queue, I am really wondering, why only a single check in counter for the customer services of those passengers with cancelled flights is open? Passengers are then told one by one according to the queue about options regarding the changes of flight. That is sick! The servicing is very low to no movement while the next flight ahead ours is moving so fast with their check in procedures. Okay, I must keep calm. Wait and see game is on!