Feel Good Friday - Dignity Network

I’m back from a trip to Thailand, and one of my favorite stops was the Dignity Network Women's Massage Center. Let me explain why.

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Dignity Network is "helping female ex-prisoners reintegrate into professional society successfully" through several programs, including the Women’s Massage Center.

The organization was born when Thierry Gallo, an entrepreneur from Brussels, visited Thailand in 2010 and witnessed the harsh conditions facing women in Chiang Mai's central prison. He partnered with Thunyanun Yajom, a government prison officer with 15 years of experience and a master's degree in vocational education, to build something transformative.

The problem they both recognized is that women leaving prison often face profound stigma and discrimination, resulting in limited job opportunities and reoffending rates between 14 and 20 percent. Dignity Network was created to break that cycle.

While incarcerated, women can enroll in an 800-hour Thai massage training program certified by Thailand's Ministry of Public Health. Upon release, Dignity Network's Women's Massage Center offers them real jobs in a safe, professional environment. Today, five locations are operating across Chiang Mai's Old City, offering traditional Thai massage, foot massage, oil massage, herbal facial treatments, and more, all at remarkably affordable prices.

I booked an hour-long back, neck and shoulder massage for 300 baht, or about 9 dollars. After changing into some oversized hospital scrubs, my masseuse, Muay, not only massaged all the parts in question, she also ended by twisting me around to make sure I was really loose, then gave me a cup of tea.

In addition to helping people relax, Dignity Network also runs a Social Microcredit Program that offers small loans between 5,000 and 10,000 baht to help women cover urgent needs like their children's education, health costs, or rental deposits. Traditional banks won't cover these costs for someone with a criminal record. Since they began, Dignity Network has given jobs to more than 500 ex-prisoners!

You can support the Dignity Network by following them on Facebook and sharing their stories of second chances and new beginnings with your network. And if you're ever in Chiang Mai, stop in for a massage, it’s a very relaxing way to make a difference.

I'm Ready to Go Home, But is My Plane?

No. The answer is no. After mechanical issues that could not be resolved, we were told our flight would leave 9 hours later than scheduled. That meant I would miss my connecting flight and the one that followed. The upside is, I'm blogging from the Hyatt regency in Taipei where I was able to sleep for 5 hours before going back to the airport to get on a plane that will get me home 14 hours later than planned. At least I'll get home. 

Now to wrap up the trip. The food tour of Chinatown in Bangkok was fantastic. We tried so much food including dumplings, steamed buns, duck, pork, squid, and my new favorite dessert dough that has been deep fried then grilled then covered in pandan sauce which has a coconut like flavor. So delicious!

Then it was off to Chiang Mai. Compared to fashion-forward Bangkok this is a small town full of shabby dressed tourists with a similar vibe to Siem Reap. I was in my element. It's also filled with over 100 wats and what seems like 100 coffee shops. It was here I hit my limit and stopped taking photos each time I passed a temple and instead thought "Oh, Buddha. Cool." 

I got a Thai massage at a business that trains and employees formerly incarcerated women to be the masseurs. A one-hour massage only costs $9! I also signed up for another food tour, this one even more adventurous. A lot of stops in the market visiting vendors who have run their booths for decades making sausages, pork leg, pork belly. I finally succumbed to peer pressure and tried both silk worm larvae (kind of mushy) and crickets (a crunchy snack). Hey, when in Southeast Asia. 

Friday was a visit to Elephant Nature Park, which I posted about the other day. It was very special to be able to walk among the elephants and hear about their stories of being rescued from logging or the tourist trade. Watching them frolic, yes I said frolic, in the river was also fun. And we got to spend 15 minutes in Cat Kingdom with 2000 rescued cats! I wanted to visit with more of them but one sat on my lap so I stayed with that cat the entire time. And... in the souvenir shop, I saw an elephant carved out of flip flops. It was done in partnership with Ocean Sole, an organization I visited in Nairobi and made a short video about back in 2007 when they were called UniquEco. So cool to see.

A trip to the night bazar for some local food and souvenirs and here we are, about to board the plane for the final leg home. It's been great to see places I haven't been before and inspiring to see what local people in both Cambodia and Thailand are doing to improve the lives of people and animals in their communities.

As has become the usual with these posts below is a selection of photos from this section of the trip. Thanks for following along!

Feel Good Friday - Elephant Nature Park

I’m feeling good this Friday because I'll soon be visiting Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, an organization known for their compassionate approach to elephant rescue and rehabilitation.

Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Mae Taeng District near Chiang Mai, the mission of Elephant Nature Park (ENP) is to provide sanctuary for rescued elephants while promoting ethical, observation-based tourism. The park is home to more than 75 elephants who have been saved from torturous situations in the logging and tourism industries, along with hundreds of rescued dogs, cats, and water buffalo.

Founded by renowned conservationist Sangduen "Lek" Chailert, ENP is recognized as the first ethical elephant sanctuary of its kind in Asia. The park operates with a strict no-riding, no-performing policy. There are no bull hooks, no tricks, and no exploitation. Instead, elephants roam freely across 101 hectares, interacting with their herds, playing in rivers and mud pits, and living with dignity and respect. Watch the documentary Love & Bananas: An Elephant Story to learn more. 

Many of the elephants at ENP have heartbreaking stories. Some are blind or crippled from years of abuse. Others are orphans who lost their mothers far too young. At the sanctuary, these gentle giants receive the care they need and deserve. That means medical attention from four on-site veterinarians, nutritious food through the Elephant Food Bank, and the freedom to simply be elephants.

Beyond direct rescue, ENP has expanded its impact through several innovative programs. The Saddle Off program provides elephants with the opportunity to roam, socialize, and forage in natural habitats, while allowing visitors to have an authentic and intimate interaction with these gentle giants. The Jumbo Express mobile clinic brings veterinary care to elephants that cannot reach the sanctuary while the Farm to Herd initiative supports sustainable food sourcing.

The best, and most fun, way to support Elephant Nature Park is by booking a visit to the sanctuary in Chiang Mai. You can also amplify their message on social media. Follow ENP on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube and share their stories of rescue and rehabilitation with your network.