Contributor:
Seksom Aunjittham “Sek”
Finance Officer
APCOM Staff Annual Retreat 2026
In the foundation world, we often focus so intently on the lives we aim to change that we sometimes forget to nurture our own. We are a team driven by purpose, yet I’ve found that you don’t truly know the heart of a fellow advocate until you’ve seen them trade their serious office face for denim overalls and a straw hat.
In the morning of March 18, 2026, over the warm aroma of espresso at Arabica Coffee, we set aside our reports and strategic plans. We weren’t just heading on a retreat to the rolling hills of Suan Phueng, Ratchaburi province, we were venturing”Into The Farm.”
Growing Together
Stepping outside our comfort zones is the first step toward genuine connection. Leaving the city’s frantic pace for the rustic charm of the countryside felt like a collective exhale. After a welcoming stop at SOP Café and a family-style lunch at Krua Tanaosri in Ratchaburi, we dove into the Backyard Adventure. Whether we were cheering each other on at archery, navigating gel paintball, or encouraging a hesitant teammate on the Tarzan Tour, the energy was unbeatable. In the office, we are a network of roles and responsibilities; here, we became a synchronized, unstoppable force. I realized today that the same hand reaching out to steady me on a zip line is the one I rely on to carry the weight of our mission back home. I shared it with a colleague as we watched the sunset.
The Beauty of the Recharge
We found sanctuary at the Royal Good View Resort in Suan Phueng, where grazing sheep and European-style cottages offered a peaceful backdrop for reflection. Over dinner at Krua Mon Khai, the day’s exhaustion melted into laughter. Sitting in the quiet of the pastures, it hit me: for a team that gives so much to others, rest is not a luxury—it is a necessity. We were recharging our spirits together, discovering a rhythm that only comes when the pressure of the to-do List finally fades.
Our second day was a gentle exploration of the local soul. From the soothing Bo Khlung Hot Stream to the artistry of Baan Hom Thien, we immersed ourselves in local crafts. These moments taught us that inspiration often blooms in the most unexpected, rustic places.
A relaxed team is one that can see the “big picture” of our impact with much more clarity and compassion.
A Community, Not Just a Workplace
The heart of our journey was the “Into The Farm Gala Night”. Seeing a room full of cowboys and farmers was a beautiful reminder of our shared creativity. As we sang and gathered closely around P’Midnight, there was a profound sense of psychological safety—the kind of warmth that allows for true innovation and honesty.
As our leader softly noted during the gathering. We aren’t just a collection of professionals hitting targets; we are a family built on the courage to be our authentic selves.
After a final meal at Ko Bua and some local treats at Ratchaburi Daily Farm, we turned back toward Bangkok. While our social media might show the polished; ”Into The Frame” photos, this journey truly went “Into Our Hearts”; We learned that the most effective collaboration is rooted in seeing the human being behind the desk.
We left as colleagues, but we returned as a tribe; because while we work for a cause, it is our connection to one another that keeps that cause alive.
