Thanksgiving in Bangkok 2014

Nah - Nah- Nah for Audrey and Heidi. We had 2-Thanksgiving dinners, and in Bangkok Thailand, no less, as we snub our proboscises.

The first Thanksgiving dinner was at our apartment for our District Missionaries on Tuesday 25 Nov., plus 2-Sisters that President Senior said needed a place to go. They were in Bangkok for one of the Sisters to renew her Visa.

Sister Moleff always set a good table

Back Row L-t-R: Elder Moleff, Elder Davis, Sister Lam, Elder Crump, Sister Brown, Sister , and Sister
Front Row L-t-R: Sister Moleff, Elder Omer, Elder Howard, Elder Hogan, Elder Kettavong

Our second Thanksgiving dinner was on Thanksgiving day Thursday 27 Nov at President and Sister Seniors apartment. All the senior couples brought their goodies with the Seniors providing the guest of honor - the Turkey, and it tasted real good. We sang, President Senior spoke, and we played games. There was a prize given to guess the number of candy-corns in a bottle. See photo of prize winner below who scientifically calculated the number of candy-corns in the bottle.

It was such an astounding feat that the Mission President had to take his picture.

Yep, Elder Moleff guessed, I mean calculated, the exact number of candy corns in the jar. President Senior just could not believe that one of his senior missionaries could count that high.

Anyone with as brilliant a mind can glance at the jar and calculate it to contain exactly 743 candy-corns

8th Siam Paragron Bangkok Royal Orchid Paradise

The Siam Paragon is an immensely popular shopping mall housing a host of international high-end fashion brands, Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium, a 16-screen Cineplex, and a comprehensive selection of world cuisine. Located prominently in front of Siam BTS Skytrain station - the interchange of the two BTS lines - it is considered by many to be the centre of Bangkok.
Considering the mall contains over 250 shops, the layout is logical and fairly compact, certainly when compared to the sprawling Central World mall nearby. However, this mall provides mainly luxury items for well-heeled Thais and international visitors with cash to splurge. If you are looking for something extra-special then Siam Paragon is definitely the place to find it.

Siam Paragon is organising the 8th majestic orchid exhibition “Siam Paragon Bangkok Royal Orchid Paradise” under the “Magnificent Orchid: A Borderless Path To ASEAN Paradise” theme. The event, from 26 November to 1 December 2014, will feature more than 600,000 beautiful orchid blossoms. Some of the orchids presented are from the ten ASEAN member countries. Some of the most beautiful and finest orchid blossoms will be used to decorated two five-metre tall structures, in the shape of Hanuman and Yaksha from the famous Ramayana legend.

The orchid-giants will tower next to the Thai-styled gate representing the door to ASEAN amid the splendour of the dazzling orchid orchard at Botanical Garden on M floor in the centre of Siam Paragon. During the event, there will be an exhibition showcasing the best selected orchids from each province around the country. Orchids to be on display will include Dendrobium Pompadour from Bangkok, Famui from Chiang Mai, Vando Udorn Sunshine fron Udonthani, and Daeng Ubon from Ubonthani.

There are also informative exhibitions such as the model orchids with four new orchid species found in Thailand: Wan Pendin Yen Umpang, Eungkleeb Tid Phannga and Eung Rangnok Thai Thong. There are also orchid arrangements by leading hotels Siam Kempinski and Royal Orchid Sheraton. Activities include orchid art exhibition from Toshiba Thailand Company Limited. The highlight is the orchid competition that will see the winners being award the trophy by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Can you guess which one is Sister Moleff?

Photo Report of Visit of Ty Davies and Derek Dobson

Background Information

Two brethren from FamilySearch headquarters came to the LDS Service Center in Bangkok Thailand on Wed. 19 and Thu. 20. These brethren were:

1. Ty Davies, Family Search Director, Program Manager, and

2. Derek Dobson, FamilySearch Senior Product Manager, Asia Pacific

The purpose of the visit was to: (Note: purpose was adjusted as information unfolded)

a) Determine if the Thai translation was correct for the all Thai “Family Booklet” online version of My Family booklet. That is, did the Thai instruction and layout make sense to a Thai as written in Thai.

b) Interview Thai people about navigating in Family Booklet and asking for suggestions of clarification and improvement.

c) Determine the challenges of a Thai person (with little or no English ability) of logging on to FamilySearch and on to Family Booklet.

Brothers Davies and Dobson took notes on their laptops. This is not a record of what they learned, but a photo record of their visit.

Proposed Agenda

Persons that attended both days of meetings were: Derek Dobson, Ty Davies, and Elder and Sister Moleff.

Wednesday 19 Nov

8:00 am: Introductions at Service Center
8:30 am: Meeting with Ice
10:00 am: Meeting with Som
11:00 am: Meeting with President Senior
11:30 am: 1/2 hour lunch
12:00 noon: Travis - also has many questions
1:00 pm: Meeting with Supreda
2:00 pm: Travel from Service Center to Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health. Teach how to register as a non-member and different options for entering data.
4:30 pm: Leave from Queen Sirikit to Asoke Building
5:30 pm: Set-up for 6 pm Fireside at Asoke Family History Center
6:00 pm: Start Workshop at Asoke Family History Center

Thursday 20 Nov:

8:30 am: Meet at the Asoke Building (Note: Those that input at Asoke may not speak or read English or have previously been on FamilySearch or know how to use a computer).
Sister Petchfa will be our translator.
9:00 am: Sister Supawadee Thai-Ngoen
10:00 am: Sister Tan
11:00 am: Sister Soontree
12 noon: Lunch and free time till 3:00 PM
3:00 pm: Be at Service Center for "Lessons Learned" and prepare to leave for Changwattana
4:30 pm: Leave for Changwattana Building Family History Center
5:30 pm: Set-up for meeting in High Council room
6:00 pm: Start Workshop. This meeting will be videotaped.

At Service Center 19 Nov 2014

Ty Davies, Sister Wan Thailand Family History Advisor, Derek Dobson, E/S Moleff

Derek Dobson, Ty Davies, Ice

Ty Davis, Sister Som, Derek Dobson

President Senior, Sister Moleff, Ty Davies, Derek Dobson

Meeting at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health (QSNICH)

Copy of email: We accept Doctor Siraporn Sawasdivorn kind invitation to come to the QSNICH on 19 November from 15:00-17:00 pm to teach about FamilySearch. We will be ready to leave at 2:00 pm.

Dr. Siraporn Sawasdivorn was one of 4-receiptants of the LDS Family Values Award in 2014, and was impressed with the Family History display at program. She has invited Elder and Sister Moleff to teach her staff about FamilySearch. We gave out 20 My Family Booklets at the presentation. She has requested an additional 125 My Family booklets.

Sign outside of QSNICH acknowledging our visit

Presenting FamilySearch and answering questions

Derek Dobson instructing QSNICH employee how to register on FamilySearch

L-t-R: E/S Smith, Sister Moleff,

Doctor Siraporn Sawasdivorn Director of QSNICH, Elder Moleff, Ty Davies, and Derek Dobson

At Asoke Chapel Family History Center 20 Nov 2014

Derek Dobson instructing Supreda how to register on FamilySearch. Supreda is secretary to Wisan and a new FH Consultant at Asoke.

Ty Davies teaching the My Family booklet and Family Booklet on FamilySearch

Helping Petchfa with Chinese ancestors on Family Tree

Helping Mother and Daughter in FamilySearch

First time user with computer and FamilySearch

At Changwattana Chapel High Council Room

Ty Davies and Derek Dobson teaching, Sister Wan Interpreting

Some of the attendees

Group Picture. Dark suite left is Narin Counselor in BKK North Stake Presidency. Sitting right with red tie is BKK North Stake President Sathit.

Ancient Siam

Ancient Siam (formerly known as Ancient City) (Thai: เมืองโบราณ, Mueang Boran) is a park constructed under the patronage of Lek Viriyaphant and spreading over 200 acres (0.81 km²) in the shape of Thailand.
The founder's original idea was to create a golf course with miniatures of Thailand's historically significant structures spread around the course. During his research he found most structures being severely damaged over time and decided instead of creating new miniatures to save the original structures when possible or re-creating them full size or scaled down.
Ancient Siam is dubbed as the world's largest outdoor museum. Situated close to the Crocodile Farm in Samut Prakan province, the 320-hectare city features 116 structures of Thailand's famous monuments and architectural attractions. The grounds of Ancient Siam correspond roughly to the shape of the Kingdom, with each of the monuments lying at their correct places geographically. Some of the buildings are life-size replicas of existing or former sites, while others are scaled down.
The replicas were constructed with the assistance of experts from the National Museum to ensure historical accuracy. Outstanding works include the former Grand Palace of Ayutthaya (destroyed in the Burmese invasion of 1767), Phimai Sanctuary in Nakhon Ratchasima, and Wat Khao Phra Viharn on the Cambodian border.
Ancient Siam is located on the old Sukhumvit Highway, about 33 km south-east of central Bangkok. Golf carts and bicycles can be hired for moving around the park, and private vehicles are also allowed at a fee.

PLEASE ENJOY THE PHOTOS

(single click photo to enlarge)

L-t-R: Elder and Sister Moleff, Sister Than, Sister Petchfa, Brother Max - he owns the cab that drove us to Ancient Siam, the sea and the Crock and Tiger Park

Sister Petchfa, Map of Ancient Siam, Sister Moleff

Replica of Thai village

Craftsman working on metal

5th King of Siam (Rama 5) freed slaves, 100 wives, many children. Beloved by the Thais.

Kings desk

We wanted to take their picture. They asked us to join them

We ate lunch close by

A wedding. We wanted to take their picture. They asked us to join them.

The Andaman sea behind Sister Moleff. No beach with sand where we were. Seagulls come in the evening, and when tide goes out you can see the crabs below.