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Mar 1, 2016
Thai Plum Village International Practice Centre
Day 5: Visa Snag
GPS waypoint: 14°33'25.4"N 101°31'45.0"E
Location: 174,176 Ban Sra Nam Sai, Moo 7, Tambon Pongtalong, Pak Chong District, NakornRatchasima, Thailand
Monastic Rhythm
I was slowly sinking into the rhythm of monastic life, doing as much as the monastics were doing (to the extent I was allowed to) and doing my own thing:
- 4:00am wake up
- 4:45am group meditation
- 6:00am meditation walk
- 7:00am breakfast
- 7:30am work time
- 11:30am lunch
- 1:00pm work time
- 3:00pm Dhamma talk with Julie
- 4:00pm conducting informal yoga class
- 5:30pm dinner
- 7:00pm group sitting meditation and chanting
- 9:30pm noble silence
Visa Snag
All was going well until the 'passport monk' informed me that my visa was a transit visa and could not be extended in Thailand. For me to get a 3-month visa, I had to secure it and go back to the Philippines and make the trip back to Plum Village. WHAT????????? Apparently, I could not even make a visa run to Laos or Cambodia and subsequently make a re-entry as the Thai government has put a stop to the 'visa run'. Moreover, even if I am granted re-entry, I can only get 14 days since I am entering by land. The head monks concurred the situation.
Ending Thoughts
The visa snag was something not anticipated by anyone since I was the pioneering teacher for Plum Village. The monks were considerate in offering alternative measures. I am giving myself a few days to ponder on the matter before I make any decision. However way I decide, it will be a difficult decision.
--- TheLoneRider
Thai Plum Village International Practice Centre
with direction coming from Bangkok
GPS waypoint: 14°33'25.4"N 101°31'45.0"E
174,176 Ban Sra Nam Sai, Moo 7, Tambon Pongtalong, Pak Chong District, NakornRatchasima, Thailand
Blogs on Thai Plum Village
- Goodbye Thai Plum Village Mar 20, 2016
- Yoga at Thai Plum Village Mar 19, 2016
- Pond Picnic with the Monastics Mar 14, 2016
- Sentence Expansion Mar 12, 2016
- Alms Round of the Thai Plum Village Monastics Mar 10, 2016
- First Day of Teaching English at Thai Plum Village Mar 8, 2016
- Cyber Monk Redefined Mar 6, 2016
- Thai Plum Village, Day 6: Plum Village and Vipassana Mar 2, 2016
- Thai Plum Village, Day 5: Visa Snag Mar 1, 2016
- Plum Village, Day 4: Picnic with the Monastics on Lazy Monday Feb 29, 2016
- Plum Village, Day 2-3: Getting Settled Feb 27-28, 2016
- Plum Village, Day 1: Arrival Feb 26, 2016
You are encouraged to arrive at the Center Friday afternoon between 2-4 pm
- Suvarnabhumi Airport to BTS Train Line by TRAIN
there is already a direct train from the airport that goes all the way to Bangkok with a final stop at Phaya Thai. Upon airport arrival, go down to Basement and take the Airport Link train to Phaya Thai Station. Get off and walk (.8km) to the Phaya Thai BTS Station | 35 mins | Baht 45
- Phaya Thai Station (N2) - Victory Monument Station (N3) by TRAIN
board the BTS train heading to Mo Chit. This takes you north but get off at Victory Monument Station (N3) which is just one stop away
- Victory Monument Station - Plum Village by VAN
upon arriving at Victory Monument, take Exit 4 and go down to the basement and walk 100 meters towards the Suzuki Showroom. Across is a pool of vans. Line up at ticket counter No.18, "Jamnong tour" for the trip all the way to Plum Village, Pak Chong. , 3.5 to 4 hours. Take the 11am or 12 noon van to ensure you arrive at the center before 4pm.
ignore this if you plan to go to Plum Village. Take the direction above instead
- If you are arriving Bangkok and would like to proceed directly to Pak Chong without spending a night in Bangkok, best to take a plane that will land in Don Mueang Airport in time for the #71 Train (Bangkok to Si Sa Ket) to stop at the MRT Train Station, Bang Sue, which is only a short walk from the airport. Train schedule at Bang Sue Station: Fri 10:27am, arriving Pak Chong 1:30pm. Express aircon car , non aircon . Duration is 3 hours, stopping right in the heart of Pak Chong. From Pak Chong.
You can also take the train from the main terminal near the center of Bangkok at the MRT Station, Hua Lampong Railway Station. Departure, Friday 10:00am.
(US$1 = Thailand Baht 35.77 = Php 47.52 as of Feb 28, 2016)
- van from Victory Monument to Plum Village
- Express train from Bang Sue MRT Station (Bangkok) to Pak Chong Train Station, aircon (non aircon, Baht 189)
- taxi from Pak Chong to Plum Village (call this taxi number, Mr. Khun Paisan: 085 772.4519 for the trip to Plum Village)
- mosquito repellent
- hat/umbrella
- flashlight
- not a requirement, but it helps if you bring clothing in the dark brown color in order to blend-in
Adventure Hostel Bangkok
Location: 1541 Phahonyothin Rd., Payathai, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: 062 527 2581
Hours: open 24 hours
Features: central location by the N7 Saphan Khwai BTS train station, clean aircon rooms, fast and reliable internet, staff who will go the extra distance for you, reasonable rate
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Nawa Sheeva Hotel Chiangmai
Location: 184/2 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, 50200 Chiang Mai, Thailand
Tel: 061.272.8008 / 053.326.583
Features: salt-water swimming pool, expansive space, big luxurious rooms, great hotel cafe using top-of-the-line espresso brewer
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Nawa Saraan Hotel Chiangmai
Location: 37/1 Singharat Lane 2, T.Sriphum, Muang Chiangmai, 50200 Chiang Mai, Thailand
Tel:
Features: upscale container-themed, luxury appointments, central location
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- Loving Bangkok All Over Again Feb 22-26, 2016
- Adventure Hostel Review Feb 22-26, 2016
- Hotel Review: Riva Surya Bangkok Oct. 20, 2014
- The Shopping Malls of Bangkok Oct 6-20, 2014
- Bangkok's Street Food Delight Oct 6-20, 2014
- Bangkok Revisited 3 Oct 6-20, 2014
- Bangkok Dec 31, 2005
- Ten Days in Chiang Khong, Thailand Apr 30 - May 9, 2016
- A First Timer in Chiang Mai Apr 9-23, 2016
- Dance Mandala in Chiang Mai at The Yoga Tree Apr 19, 2016
- Songkran Waterfight Festival in Chiang Mai Apr 13-15, 2016
- Border Crossing from Siem Reap (Cambodia) to Chiangmai (Thailand) April 9-10, 2016
- Exploring Chiang Rai, Thailand May 11-16, 2016
- Visiting the White Temple of Chiang Rai (Wat Rong Khun) May 15, 2016
- Exploring Chiang Saen, Thailand Apr 28-30, 2016
- 4 Days in Mae Sai, Thailand Apr 25-28, 2016
- Border Crossing - Mae Sai (Thailand) to Tachileik (Myanmar) Apr 23, 2016
- Exploring Pai, Thailand May 19-24, 2016
- Visiting the Land Split in Pai, Thailand May 23, 2016
- Trekking the Ridges of Pai Canyon May 23, 2016
- Climbing up the White Buddha (Wat Phra That Mae Yen) May 21, 2016
- Pak Chong (Thailand) En Route to Siem Reap (Cambodia) Mar 20-21, 2016
- Goodbye Thai Plum Village Mar 20, 2016
- Yoga at Thai Plum Village Mar 19, 2016
- Pond Picnic with the Monastics Mar 14, 2016
- Sentence Expansion Mar 12, 2016
- Alms Round of the Thai Plum Village Monastics Mar 10, 2016
- First Day of Teaching English at Thai Plum Village Mar 8, 2016
- Cyber Monk Redefined Mar 6, 2016
- Thai Plum Village, Day 6: Plum Village and Vipassana Mar 2, 2016
- Thai Plum Village, Day 5: Visa Snag Mar 1, 2016
- Plum Village, Day 4: Picnic with the Monastics on Lazy Monday Feb 29, 2016
- Plum Village, Day 2-3: Getting Settled Feb 27-28, 2016
- Plum Village, Day 1: Arrival Feb 26, 2016
- Yoga with Amm Prajna Pitchaya and the Sivananda yoga community of Phan May 16-18, 2016
- Visiting the Nam Lot and the Pha Khong Caves of Phan District May 18, 2016
Mar 1, 2016
»» next Meditation story: Thai Plum Village, Day 6: Plum Village and Vipassana
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