In August, I attempted to submit an abstract that I had written earlier in the year but was unable to present at the Health System Research Conference in Nagasaki, Japan. Allah SWT knows best, hence a trip to Thailand to visit tourist destinations and meet fellow scholars in Public Health Nutrition was not planned in the 2024's itinerary. Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร) or Bangkok, Thailand's capital, was my first abroad visit. I could never have imagined myself going to Thailand.
Participants came from 15 different countries, i.e. Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam, and Thailand. The 2nd Southeast Asia Public Health Nutrition Conference was held from 11 to 13 November 2024 in Arnoma Grand, Bangkok, organized by SEA-PHN Network and Nutrition Association of Thailand.
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| Public Health Nutrition - Universitas Gadjah Mada |
💗Day 1 - 10 November 2024
The flight from Soekarno Hatta Airport (CGK) to Don Mueang Airport (DMK) lasts around 3.5 hours. Previously, in the afternoon, a train left Tugu Station (YK) for Pasar Senen Station (PSE). Upon landing in Bangkok, we reserved a van that was less expensive and could handle a large number of people and our bags. My buddies and I slept at the Tori Prestige Bangkok Hotel, near Pratunam Market. The hotel was clean and excellent, and it was also adjacent to the Padang Nusantara Restaurant, which serves traditional Indonesian appetizers for lunch. Seven Eleven is also very close to the hotel, it really helped us when we had trouble finding halal food, also there are many variations of snacks and fast food.
💗Day 2 - 11 November 2024
The most memorable experience of the first day of the conference was meeting, chatting, and capturing the moment with Prof. Endang Achadi, Professor of Public Health Nutrition at the University of Indonesia. I generally followed and listened to every webinar and seminar she hosted. I was overjoyed to finally be able to meet her. The event began with an open ceremony and celebration of the SEA-PHN Network's tenth anniversary, followed by a plenary lecture session with specialists (further information is available on the link). The first day's takeaways from the conference hit me about the major underlying factors of malnutrition in Southeast Asia: rapid urbanization, economic shock, poverty, climate change, lack of resilient food systems, lack of coordinated, low nutrition literacy, inadequate healthcare, and several other factors. Southeast Asia must approach recommended nutrient intake independently, referring to/adopting, or modifying recommendations for international guidelines.
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💗Day 3 - 12 November 2024
The day is National Health Day in Indonesia, which reminds me that to tackle the triple burden of malnutrition, we must improve the dietary patterns in the community. The timetable for my oral presentations was presented on the second day of the conference. Seats in the room were nearly full with individuals from various countries listening. The moment that made me nervous was when Kentaro Murakami sensei from the University of Tokyo excitedly listened to the presentation slides and my study findings. He was one of the speakers whom I wanted to sit on. During the Q&A, there were four questioners, and three of them approached me afterward to discuss my review study, "Factors Influencing Ultra-processed Food Consumption Within Vulnerable Population: A Scoping Review" (proceedings can be accessed via the link attached). Lack of nutritious food in vulnerable groups is a major contributor to the development of nutritional problems and chronic illnesses. Food and nutrition insecurity is an individual, household, neighborhood-level economic, and social condition. The rise of industrially processed food has increased obesity and non-communicable diseases worldwide.
💗Day 4 - 13 November 2024
On the third day, I traveled separately from the group to attend a school visit to Piboon Prachasan School to observe the best practices of the school's nutrition program, particularly the Thai government-supported lunch program (more details are available in the following post). In the evening, we went on a trip to Asiatique The Riverfront, the largest riverside destination in Thailand, with attractions, shows, restaurants, and shopping.
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💗Day 5 - 14 November 2024
On the last day in Thailand, we visited Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan (วัดอรุณราชวราราม ราชวรมหาวิหาร) or Wat Arun, is the best known of Thailand's landmarks. Wat Arun (in Thai: วัดอรุณ) owes its name to the god of Hindu mythology, Aruna, symbol of the dawn. It is located in the Bangkok Yai (the great Bangkok), on the right bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple consists of a central Prang, 82 m high, inlaid with coloured porcelain and surrounded by 4 smaller Prangs (source: thai369). Although it is known as the Temple of Dawn. It is absolutely beautiful at sunset, especially when lit up at night. There are several bars and restaurants on the other side of the river, where you can enjoy a magical sight as this magnificent Asian pyramid lights up at night. But the quietest time to visit is still early in the morning, before the crowd.
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Thai Food and Stuff
If you're in Thailand, try ChatraMue Brand's Thai Tea and then relax with mango sticky rice and milk buns from After You Café. It can be found in Central World Mall. The 'all you can eat' cuisines served at Asiatique are also diverse, ranging from seafood delicacies like Tom Yum to Western-style dishes, among others. During the conference, the foods served were unique in that they exemplified Balanced Nutrition by including carbohydrates, protein, vegetables, and fruits on the menu. Thai cuisine is mostly to my liking because it is spicy and sour while yet being fresh. Christmas market is one of the food staller markets to serve halal food in Thailand. I tried to buy Pad Thai, made with rice noodles, which are stir-fried with eggs and chopped firm tofu, flavored with tamarind juice, fish sauce, dried shrimp, garlic, shallots, and sometimes red chili pepper and palm sugar, and served with lime wedges and often crushed roasted peanuts. If you wish to shop for souvenirs, you can visit Big C Mall and Thailand 100 Baht Shop, which have a range of snacks, drinks, cooking spices, herbal medicines, skincare, and other Thai-style knick-knacks.
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| Conference's Lunch (Halal Package) |
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