Regional Discussion on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

with Asia Pacific Network for Sex Workers [APNSW]

Wednesday, July 11, 2007
I had a direct flight from Jakarta at 10 PM. I hate flying at night. The only beauty of it is just the city lights that shown when we took off and landed. I took a shuttle bus from Bandung to the airport. The traffic was quite full when we entered Jakarta. But then we made it to the airport at around 8 PM. I stopped by the OhLaLa Café to have something to eat and drink. Then I lit a cigarette and smoke before I checked in. I didn’t smoke for a couple of hours and my brain got frozen by then.

I checked in my luggage at around 9 PM, then I started to walk through the immigration. It was not hectic. I just saw very few people there. Some of them are migrant workers. Probably it was their first time to go abroad. Some of the women looked restless and afraid. The group leader was trying to convince them that everything will be okay.

I’m not a very big fan of Garuda, but this time, I have no choice. I have to fly with Garuda. I hate the in-flight food. The fact that I was working in one of Garuda’s sister company is definitely discounted. Even though I was working at the same group, but I never like the in-flight catering [despite that I have friends in that catering service].

I chose to have the seat at the emergency exit because the leg’s room is bigger than other seat. That comforts me a little. I looked out the window when the plane took off. The lights. There are lights. Thousands of lights, just like a sea of lights and it was really beautiful. After all the lights are gone, I set myself to sleep a little before the stewardess came and serves supper.

Well, the journey was so-so. It was a hard 3 hour flight. I had to wake up in the middle of a good sleep. I really hate that. But I was really glad that I didn’t have to transit in Singapore, so I had at least 2 hours of sleeping on the plane. We landed in Svarnabhumi airport at around 1.15 AM.

On my way to the immigration, I stopped at the smoking room. I need to refresh and pull myself together before doing anything else. I stopped and smoke for about 15 minutes, then I rushed to the immigration. I passed through the immigration desk, collect my luggage and off to the lower ground to get myself a cab. I was really tired and definitely need to lay down before I go to the meeting this very morning. I gave the map of hotel location to the taxi driver and told him that I want to go to Saphan Kwai. It’s good that Andrew gave us the map, because the taxi driver looked a bit puzzled when he tried to figure out which way he should take. I asked him to stop by at the Seven Eleven because I wanted to buy something to drink. And when I got back to the car, he was calling someone and holding the map. It looked like he was asking for direction.

I got to the hotel at around 2.30 AM. So, it’s a small local hotel at Suthiisan Soi. It’s the other side of Bangkok [which finally I see!]. The hotel named Washington Suite Hotel, but it doesn’t look like a suite hotel at all. It’s definitely a 2-star hotel. Maybe it’s only 1-star, actually. It looks pretty far from everywhere and I suspected it’s in the red area. The rate was only THB 600, while my previous hotel was THB 2,000. At least it has a bath tub and air conditioner, small TV with Disney Channel and several other international channels, an empty refrigerator [they must be emptied the mini bar before we came]. So, after all, it was not bad at all. Well, I never complain about where to sleep anyway, so be it. At last, I have a bed to lay down in…

07.00 AM – it’s so hard to get up after only a few hours of sleep. It was less than 4 hours. I woke up with a weary head. I went down for breakfast after I managed myself to have a cold shower. I met Meena, Praba, Rohini, Rathi, Mae, Navud and Glenn. They all came yesterday.

We took off from the hotel at 9 AM and walk through the BIG C mall to the APNSW office. That’s where the meeting is being held for 3 days. The office is small but quite cozy. It’s located at the red light district for gay and transgender community. I think it was once a shop or so, because on the terrace floor we can read “DOLL HOUSE”.

So, the discussion was very informal. We sat on the matt at the 2nd floor of APNSW office. It’s very loose but the discussion was very hot. Mostly we discussed about sex workers, especially their rights. It was very interesting for me, because from this forum, I could get a different point of view about sex work, even though I cannot apply it in Indonesia, but there were something different about sex work and sex worker that never came into my mind before. Everything was too contrary for Indonesia. For APNSW, sex work is work. And people have the freedom to choose to be a sex worker. That decision should be respected, because some people actually do the sex work willingly. We also tried to differentiate sex work and trafficking. It was very interesting, because the definition of trafficking itself is still debatable.

Another thing that we discussed was that all the women’s movements seemed to go individually, while actually we have common issues. There is no collaboration within the women’s movements. So, we need to look further to have good collaboration with each and everyone of us since we came from different NGO background [migrant workers, positive women, sex workers, lesbians, etc]. it is good that we do different issues for women and we finally met here.

We finished at 5 PM and walk back to the hotel. I was trying to help Nelia Sancho to get her room at the Washington Suite Hotel. It was quite difficult because the receptionist did not speak English very well and kept misunderstand what we were trying to say. Finally Nelia got her room and Ratri from the Indonesian Red Cross was coming at around 6 PM. So, I helped her to get her room too. All rooms for the participants are booked under Andrew’s name, and the hotel management did not bother to write down our names on the list. So, it was difficult for us when we asked the receptionist about our friend’s room number. They don’t know! No one knows!

Ratri and I went out for dinner at around 7 PM. I had noodles. I just love the noodles here! Ratri, on the contrary, was not very keen and adventurous for culinary. So, she waited for me until I finished my dinner, and then I escorted her to buy her dinner at the nearest KFC! Oh… c’mon… people don’t go this far just to have KFC, do they???

We went back to the hotel at around 8 PM. I soaked myself in the hot tub. Hot tub solves every problem in the world [well, at least for me!]. So, I’m very thankful that this less nicer hotel still have the bath tub. At around midnight Ratri knocked my door, she said that there were coackroaches in her room, so she came and stay in my room for the rest of the night.

Thursday, July 12, 2007
Ratri’s alarm had woken me up. My ears and brain had awakened, but my eyes had not. I still feel weary and kind of lack of sleep. I forced myself to wake up at 7.30 AM. Get a cold shower and get ready for breakfast. When I had my shower, Ratri told me that she’s going to her room to take a bath. I met her downstairs at the coffee shop. So, as per yesterday, we walked together to the APNSW office. RD and Malyn said that they went shopping yesterday. I told them that I plan to go to Patpong today because I have to buy some things there at the Naraya shop. Ratri was eager to come.

I couldn’t really focus on the discussion yesterday because I was so sleepy. And I don’t think today would be better than yesterday. The discussion today was about the UNAIDS guidance for Sex Workers. It was about the 3 pillars that they set up for sex workers during the Program Coordinating Board [PCB] meeting. Cheryl told us that the 3 pillars guidance are not taking side to the sex workers, it’s still put sex workers in a difficult situation. We also discussed about the Provider Initiated Testing and Counseling [PITC] which had been running in some countries. Most of people don’t realize that many institutions conduct PITC rather than VCT. Like HIV testing in police station cannot be considered as a VCT, because there’s no “voluntary” element in this test, people HAVE to do the test that provided by the police station. So, in this case, that would be called PITC.

Andrew told us that he invited everyone to see a cabaret show at Calypso Cabaret Club in Asia Hotel. We have to meet at the office at around 7.30 PM. I told him that I would go to Patpong first, and I’d rather meet them at the club. He agreed and told me that I have to get off at the Ratchatewi station, and the hotel has a junction from the BTS station directly to the hotel. That’s good!

So, I went to Patpong with Ratri, to the Naraya shop. I bought some things there for my mom. Then we went out to see what people sell on the street. The night was young, so the sex bars haven’t started their show yet. We had dinner at the nearest MacDonald’s restaurant [guess who was picking the place!] and at 7.45 PM we were off to Ratchatewi by BTS. We met RD, Rathi and Malyn at the lobby. Malyn had our tickets and the others had already inside the club. It was a quite prestigious club, only gay and transgender will be playing in the show. Transgender is widely accepted in Thailand. They can work almost everywhere. I saw many sales promotion person of the cosmetic counters [the branded ones!] are transgender. I saw several shopkeepers also transgender. Even the morning receptionist at Washington Suite Hotel is a transgender. This cabaret club hires transgender and gay people to be professional entertainers. And the show was fabulous! It was like a Broadway show. The male roles were played by the gay and the female roles were played by transgender. They had been big tourist attraction and everyone was appreciating them. Navud told me, if he was not told from the beginning that it was a transgender show, he would never be able to convince himself that all women on stage were “artificial”.

Since I went shopping before the show, and bought almost a dozen of Fred Perry polo shirt, I went into the club with hands full of plastic bags. That was a bit a disturbance for me, but I enjoyed the show very much. I wish that gay and transgender could be widely accepted everywhere like here, in Thailand. We went straight back to the hotel after the show. Ratri and I were exhausted. And soaking myself in the hot tub was the best thing I could think of.

Finally we arrived at the hotel at around 11 PM. After soaking myself in the hot tub, Ratri came knocking on my door again. She said that she assumed her room was not being cleaned because the coackroaches were still there. So, she slept in my room again.

Friday, July 13, 2007
Everybody woke up late today. And the session began at 10 AM. This is the last day, so we tried to conclude everything that we have been discussing for the past 2 days. We agreed that we have to socialize everything when we go back to our country and try to seek or bring up more of lesbian issues, LGBT, migrant workers and sex workers issues. We also agreed that we will hold a meeting during the ICAAP8 in Colombo [because most of us will be there], and possibly we will have another meeting later on after the ICAAP8.

We finished after lunch today. Some of us were going home this very evening and some will be tomorrow or days after. Ratri and I went to MBK to catch up some more shopping [I still have many things to buy, since people in Bandung were ordering things]. I’ve been thinking about buying another suitcase, but for the moment, I just bought another cheap travel bag [costs only THB 200 = Rp. 55,000!!!]. If this travel bag is not enough, then maybe I should find another suitcase. I’m glad that I have all the orders on hand now [despite my hurting shoulders and wrists]. So, tomorrow I can go slow and relax. We hang around until 6.30 PM, then we went back to the hotel with sore back, twisted wrists and aching shoulders. I had dinner on the street, I bought noodles [what else?] and afterward, I accompany Ratri to have dinner at the nearest KFC. I bought some for myself too, just in case I got hungry later on.

Ratri moved into my room. She will be checking out tomorrow and move to her friend’s apartment. I will be checking out on Sunday night. So, I guess tomorrow I will go to Chatuchak alone. To see the weekend market. Ratri had been there, I haven’t.

Saturday, July 14, 2007
We woke up late today. It’s so damn good to wake up late! I really need that! We skipped breakfast and had a hotdog for brunch. Then I go with Ratri by taxi, just to accompany her. She’s going to her friend’s place and dropped me at the Sukhumvit area. A very familiar area for me. I walked through Nana. Just looking around and I saw the South Park T-shirts there. I bought some for Adit and for myself. Then I continue walking to the BTS station at Nana. I remember once when o went to Suan Lum by MRT, I saw the signage on the MRT map says “Chatuchak”, so I guess I have to go to Asok by BTS then switch to MRT there. But when I asked the security at the BTS station, he said that I just go to Mochit by BTS, then get off there and don’t need to switch to MRT line. Wow! Mochit is only a station away from Saphan Kwai, where I stay all these days! I didn’t know that Chatuchak was so closed by!

So, I went to Mochit. It’s Saturday. Many tourists were heading to the same destination. When the BTS was about to reach the station, I saw the market right away. It’s at the Chatuchak Park. It was a huge area. Even bigger than Suan Lum, I guess.

I wandered alone there. Bought some things for myself and had lunch at the noodle station alone. The place is more interesting than Suan Lum for sure, and the price also even cheaper here. Maybe this is the central for all stuff that sold in Suan Lum. I had to buy a big plastic bag here. I was about to buy another suitcase, but I thought a big plastic bag will do just fine for me. I couldn’t get my picture taken here, too bad. It’s because I was alone! That’s the disadvantage of traveling alone.

I went back at around 3 PM or so. Thank God that it’s only a station away from Saphan Kwai. I was so tired and sweaty. I wanted to be in my room so bad, and I wanted to take some rest before I meet Andrew at 6 PM. But when I walked from the BTS station and reached the Big C, it started to rain, so I had to manage myself to sit and have a coffee at the Black Canyon Coffee. It was a heavy rain outside and I was very thankful that I didn’t get in it. What disturbing me was that the rain stopped just at the moment when my coffee was served! Damn! So, I finished my coffee impassionately and walked to the hotel.

Washington Suite Hotel at 4.15 PM
I was dreaming about entering a cold room when the receptionist told me that they had power problem, so I had to take the stairs. What??? Thank God my room was on the third floor! So, I went into my room, managed myself to be soaked in the cold tub and got a little rest before meeting Andrew. A cold tub was not bad after all, especially after a sweaty trip.

I texted Andrew, telling him I was on my way to the office. I met him just around the corner. He was going to give me my last meals allowance for the rest of my stay. After that, I went off to Nana. It was like 8 stations away, but with BTS, 8 stations doesn’t matter at all. I stopped by at an internet café to check my emails, then I walked out to find something to eat. I wanted to have dinner at the O’Brian’s. Along the way from the internet café to O’Brian’s I saw many sex workers were standing on the street. Sukhumvit is a tourist area, so a lot of bars and international restaurants were located there with many tourist come and go. I stopped by at Bookazine to find something to read, and I found Paulo Coelho’s Like a Flowing River there. I had dinner at the O’Brian’s. I love that place. The food is great! I was quite happy to be there. Looking out the window, I could see people walking. This city is very fascinating to me. I love Bangkok very much. I never have fear to walk alone here.

On my way to the BTS station, I stopped by to buy some T-Shirts for Srikandhi. And I was impressed by the seller. They were muted couple, but very nice. They weren’t stop smiling and very grateful when I bought their items. The moment I stopped there was a very thoughtful moment for me. They didn’t use their handicap to gain pity from people [by becoming a beggar or some sort of thing], they fight to survive just like any other people would do on that street. They are, in my opinion, very noble. The man was muted and I bet he couldn’t speak English, but we communicate smoothly until we agreed about the price. He looked very outgoing and friendly. Very impressive!

I went back to the hotel feeling lonely. I had to go through 8 stations and I spent my time enjoying the city view at night. I AM lonely, but there was something beautiful within the loneliness itself. I enjoyed myself so much being alone. I was starting to feel like a local citizen. Going here and there by BTS, dine on the street, walking around. I hope someday I could come here again with daddy. He has to experience the magic of this city.

Sunday, July 15, 2007
I woke up late again this morning. I managed myself to take a bath and went out to find something to eat. I ate around the Saphan Kwai area, then I went to Siam Square just to kill time. I went to Happy Berry shop to buy a bag and sunglasses there. When I exit the shop it was raining, so I entered the Coffee World. Surprisingly the coffee was so expensive. It even more expensive than Starbucks and Black Canyon Coffee! And the taste was terrible! I sat there to finish my coffee and smoke for about 45 minutes. Then I went back to Saphan Kwai and go to the hairdresser near the Big C. It was a ritual for me before fly home. I hate going home looking messy!

After my hair had done, I went back to the hotel and started to pack my things. I know my luggages are overweight. But at least I managed to pack all things in 1 suitcase, 1 travel bag and 1 big plastic bag. I guess I just have to bear carrying the heavy travel bag into the cabin, while the other 2 can be checked in. after finished packing, I slept for about 3 hours. I planned to check out tonight at 11 PM. It’s better to hang around the airport than coming late. I ordered dinner at 8.30 PM. The food was quite good and the price was reasonable enough for me. Glad that I didn’t have to go out to find something to eat.

I called the bellboy and asked them to bring up a trolley for me. I also asked them to book a taxi to the airport. Everything went smooth because my room had been paid until Monday morning. I got myself into the cab and off to the airport. I told the driver not to take the expressway since it was already late and I assumed there’s no traffic jam. I was fascinated by the lights when we entered the airport area. The lights were incredibly beautiful! That’s the beauty of traveling at night [despite the sleepy feeling!]. The airport was quiet. I smoke some cigarettes before entering the departure hall. Some people were already starting to queue in front of Garuda desk. So, I followed. It was 11.45 PM. Most of them were Indonesian. I was worried about my luggage the whole night through, but when I arrived at the Garuda desk, I was relieved because I saw some people had even bigger suitcases or more luggage than I do!

16 July 2007 – 05.30 AM
We landed faster than schedule. It was a bad flight. We got air turbulence almost all the way from Bangkok to Jakarta. But I thank God we landed safely. Everything went smooth and I got out of the terminal. Then I have to find the Primajasa desk to get the ticket to Bandung. I didn’t see any ATM’s and I only got Rp. 70,000 + several thousands. It’s good because Rp. 60,000 will be for the bus and I still have Rp. 10,000 for a cup of cappuccino at the MacDonald’s.

I want to go back to Bandung as soon as possible. I want to deliver all the orders immediately. It’s so God damn heavy! Let’s see what do I get for myself… I bought 1pair of shoes, 2 shirts, 2 sack-dresses, 1 sunglasses, 1 Paulo Coelho’s book, 1 passport wallet, 6 G-strings, 8 bags [1 Naraya bag, 1 army sling bag, 1 DKNY travel purse, 1 travel bag, 1 Iceberg bag, 1 Backstage bag, 1 Juicy bag, 1 HappyBerry bag], 1 plastic purse HappyBerry, 1 journal book, 1 scarf, 1 Naraya cosmetic bag, 3 pairs of socks, 3 hair pins, 1 rubber band, 1 sport bra. That’s quite a reward for myself… hahaha!

Calypso the Cabaret Club - Asia Hotel, Ratchatewi, Bangkok, Thailand.

This is the sample of professionalising transgender and gay in the entertainment industry.