Related to this thread, whilst 'relaxing' on Koh Phangan and waiting for my 9-month ED visa to learn Thai (which is lamost ready for me to start my lessons), I have been accumulating items to donate at the 3 orphanages that I currently support in Mandalay. My plan, after my ED course starts, is to make a weekend trip to Mandalay, (missing one Thai lesson has no effect on my ability to speak Thai since I speak/read/write it already lol). Based on my previous visas, and now familiar with the age of the kids etc, I have bought baby teething rings (one orphanage has many babies - see photo), toddler toys, large size lego bricks (too big for a toddler to swallow!), reusable sanitary pads (for the Girls' orphanage and supplied at a great discount by a wonderful Thai manufacturer), alphabet flashcards etc, as well as A4 paper/pencils/exercise books etc that I'll buy locally. There is also a good book shop that I know in Mandalay which gives me a good discount on books for the orphanages. I have to be a little careful, because my luggage will be x-rayed on arrival at Mandalay Airport. But one 'card' up my sleeve is that I know the customs staff at the airport, because I used to teach English to the airport staff!
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