Contributor:
Naphat Krutthai “Jim”
SOGIESC Inclusion and Corporate Engagement Officer
For one day, I put aside my role as APCOM’s SOGIESC Inclusion and Corporate Engagement Officer and became a kindergarten student again! Following our “class leader,” my colleagues and I went on an excursion around Bangkok—from CentralWorld and Siam Paragon to Mahanakhon and the Chao Phraya River. It was a day to step away from work, have fun, and simply enjoy being together.
Our first stop was CentralWorld, beautifully decorated in a Disney Christmas theme. We divided into groups, explored the area, and took plenty of photos. Despite the strong sun, the atmosphere immediately brought out our inner children. For a while, there were no emails, deadlines, meetings, or reports. I remember thinking, “So this is kindergarten life the worst thing that can happen today is probably falling down!”
After all the walking and photos, we headed to Krua Dok Mai Khao for lunch. There was plenty of Thai-fusion food to share, followed by delicious desserts. Sitting around the table, eating and laughing without rushing back to work reminded me that well-being can sometimes be very simple: good food, good conversations, and time to connect with colleagues beyond our usual responsibilities.
With full stomachs, we continued to SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World at Siam Paragon. Surrounded by colourful fish, sharks, penguins, and other sea creatures, it felt like stepping into another world. It reminded me of being a child again, curious and excited by something simply because it was new. That mental break from our daily responsibilities was refreshing in itself.
Then came my biggest challenge: Mahanakhon SkyWalk. I am afraid of heights, so even going up to the observation deck made my heart race. The view of Bangkok was incredible, but seeing my colleagues walking on the glass floor was another story! Eventually, another colleague who was also afraid of heights and I held hands and decided to face our fear together. We finally managed to sit on the glass floor. Am I no longer afraid of heights? Absolutely not! But I did it once and having a friend beside me made it possible.
We ended our excursion with a buffet dinner by the Chao Phraya River. Sitting by the water, enjoying good food and watching the sunset was the perfect ending to our kindergarten adventure. It was peaceful, beautiful, and a moment I will remember for a long time.
Looking back, what made the day special was not only where we went, but how we experienced it together. We laughed, shared food, discovered new things, took silly photos, and supported each other through challenges. For people working in advocacy and community work, our daily responsibilities can sometimes be emotionally demanding. A day like this does not make those pressures disappear, but it gives our minds space to breathe.
“The day ended with a delicious meal, filled with laughter and great conversations with friends. It was a day of pure happiness and worth every moment. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience!”
Praephan Worarakwiroj,
Operations Officer, APCOM
Activities like this can support staff well-being and mental health by reducing stress, strengthening relationships, and allowing colleagues to connect as people not only as co-workers. We came back with positive memories, stronger connections, and hopefully a little more energy for the work ahead.
Thank you, APCOM, for giving us the opportunity to step away from our desks, recharge, laugh, and enjoy being together. I hope our kindergarten class gets another excursion soon!
Sometimes, taking care of our mental health can start with something very simple: pause, connect, have fun, and remember that we do not always have to take everything so seriously.
