Where We're Going - Bangkok

The first two days of our mission will be spent in Bangkok - or Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร). This is Thailand's capital and largest city. It is located in central Thailand,on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand.

According to "World Urbanization Prospects: The 2005 Revision Population Database" prepared by the United Nations' Population Division, Bangkok is the 22nd most populous city in the world with a registered population of 7-million people. Due to discrepancies in residence certificates, though, the population could be as high as 15-million. In terms of area, it is also one of the largest cities in the world.

The climate in Bangkok is described as 'tropical monsoon,' which is affected by monsoon winds that change direction according to the seasons. By West Texas standards, those winds are light-to-nonexistent this time of year. Daily high temperatures will vary from high-80s to mid-90s in the weeks ahead, with 70% (or higher) humidity.

Bangkok is the economic center of Thailand, and for several years been regarded as a mainstay of the Southeast Asian economy and a key center of Asian business. In addition to serving as a home for major multinational corporations and banking houses, it is also a gateway for Thailand's lucrative tourism industry, which accounts for more than 5% of the country's Gross Domestic Product. In addition to serving as the nation's principal international gateway, Bangkok is also a destination in its own right.

Bangkok's transportation infrastructure includes the historic network of rivers and canals, modern highways, bus routes, elevated trains and airports that provide one of the important air travel hub in this part of Asia.

As a national capital, it is also home to the palatial residences of Thailand's royal family, the seat of Thailand's parliament and its many government agencies, major universities and cultural centers, and some of southeast Asia's leading hospitals ..... which have lately contributed to Thailand's tourism industry with the growing international interest in 'medical tourism,' where hospitals provide services and luxurious accommodations, specifically catering to foreigners.

Bangkok is also home to NightLight, a mission dedicated to rescuing, healing and restoring victims of prostitution and human trafficking. NightLight draws both its name and its mission from Holy Scripture .....

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2

NightLight reaches out to women and children working in the bar areas of Nana/Sukhumvit. Located in an urban Bangkok neighborhood with a growing sex trade, Nightlight’s vision is to share the Light of the World in both word and deed to those who live in darkness.