From Cambodia Back To Thailand

My journey around South East Asia meant I had almost completed the clockwise route, and only had to progress back into Thailand and head south to continue. I now needed to get to Ko Phagnan ahead of the Full Moon Party. I'd heard the accommodation on the island was in short supply days before the party, so was eager to get there as soon as possible. Dani, Vic and I took a bus back from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, as the flights were cheaper from there to Bangkok. From Phnom Penh, Vic, Dani and I said our goodbyes and I took an early morning flight to Bangkok. I was able to get an earlier than scheduled flight to Ko Samui, an island in the east of Thailand, which was great as it meant I could get some accommodation that night on Ko Phagnan.

I arrived at a deserted Phnom Penh airport early in the morning, with me being the only person the guards needed to inspect. I wasn't feeling great that day, and must have aroused some suspicion when I placed my head on the passport counter and began groaning. There was nothing suspect about the food in Cambodia, since my pain was beer fuelled and therefore self-inflicted.

My initial flight out to Thailand had been to Bangkok's old airport, but my second flight to the country was into the new one. As we touched down on the tarmac, I caught my first glimpse of the airport terminal. It was spectacular in design, projecting a symbol of Thailand in the 21st century.

Still taxiing to the terminal, I looked out of the aeroplane window to see the image of the King of Thailand on banners everywhere, celebrating his 60 years as king. I knew from my first time in Thailand just how the Thai people revered him, like how they were yellow t-shirts showing the royal colour every Monday, but it meant something more to me now. After the historic turmoil of Vietnam and Cambodia still fresh in my mind, it was evident that the King is not just a Head of State, but a symbol of something reliable, unchanging and unfaltering the people cherish. After seeing their own and neighbouring governments rise and fall many times, the King remains; the order in the chaos.

The airport was just as impressive on the inside as out. Walking through the arrivals section, you are greeted by huge glass windows rising to the massive ceiling, behind which lies an arboretum! In an airport! Safe to say, after my time in the airport, I was suitably impressed with the whole operation.