CABIN CREW BRANCH
SIASU CC Branch
Bangkok Retreat 2026
(26th - 29th JAN)
# **SIASU RETREAT 2026 — UNITY, FRIENDSHIP & TOGETHERNESS** **Bangkok, 26–29 January 2026** The SIASU Retreat 2026 gave us a good chance to take a short break from work, spend time together and strengthen the bond we share as union comrades. Over the four days in Bangkok, there were many simple but memorable moments. We had breakfast together, chatted in the hotel lobby, bumped into one another while shopping, shared food recommendations and caught up over drinks. In our daily work, everyone is usually busy with their own duties, rosters and commitments. So having a few days away together gave us the chance to slow down and get to know one another better outside of work. It was also a good reminder that SIASU is not just about meetings and union matters. It is also about friendship, support and looking out for one another. ## 🌟 **A Smooth Start to the Trip** A big thank you to the organising team for putting the retreat together. A lot of work was done behind the scenes, and the arrangements throughout the trip went smoothly. We had a pleasant flight to Bangkok and were met by the transport representative at the airport. From there, we took the bus to **Centara Watergate Pavilion Hotel**. Check-in was smooth and the rooms were clean, spacious and comfortable. After settling in, many of us headed out to explore Bangkok. Some went shopping, some went looking for good food, while others just took the chance to walk around and enjoy the city. ## 🤝 **Day Two — Meeting and Bonding** Day two started with breakfast, followed by some free time before everyone gathered for lunch. After lunch, we had our branch meeting. The setting was more relaxed than usual, but there were still useful updates and discussions. It was a good chance for everyone to share views and talk openly about the issues affecting our cabin crew members. Some of the discussions touched on how we can continue to improve cabin crew welfare, manage workload better and look at areas where the working environment can be improved. Comrades were able to share their observations and concerns, as well as exchange ideas on how SIASU can better support our members. It was also useful to hear different views from the ground, as many of the issues we face can vary depending on our duties, work areas and individual experiences. Having everyone together gave us a good opportunity to understand these concerns better and discuss possible ways forward. There was also a tea break with snacks before we headed for the seafood dinner. The seafood dinner was one of the highlights of the trip. There was a good spread, and the different dietary needs within the group were also taken into consideration. More importantly, everyone had time to sit down, eat, talk and enjoy the evening together. After dinner, some went to the night markets for shopping while others gathered at a nearby pub for drinks and a chat. These smaller gatherings were nice because everyone could talk more freely and get to know one another better. Sometimes we may work alongside each other for many years, but we do not always get the chance to really sit down and talk. A retreat like this gave us that opportunity. ## 🛍️ **Day Three — Free and Easy** Day three was free and easy, so everyone could enjoy Bangkok at their own pace. Some continued shopping, some went around looking for good food, while others went for a massage and took the chance to recharge. It was a nice break after the activities of the first two days, and everyone had some time to do what they wanted. By evening, most of us were back at the hotel tired but happy after a full day out. ## ✈️ **Time to Head Home** Before we knew it, the final day had arrived. Check-out went smoothly and the bus was ready to bring us to **Suvarnabhumi Airport** as scheduled. Even though it was time to head home, the mood was still good. Everyone was still talking about the trip, the food, the shopping and the moments we had shared over the past few days. Boarding the Singapore Airlines flight home and seeing our own crew onboard was a familiar way to end the retreat. Overall, the **SIASU Retreat 2026** was an enjoyable and meaningful trip. It gave us the chance to take a break from work, spend proper time together and strengthen the friendship among fellow union comrades. More importantly, the retreat was also a good opportunity for us to learn from one another and better understand the concerns faced by our cabin crew members. Through the discussions and conversations during the trip, we were able to exchange views, share experiences and think about how we can continue to improve cabin crew welfare, workload and the overall working environment. At the end of the day, a union is not only about meetings, discussions and the issues we handle. It is also about understanding the people we represent and finding better ways to support and help them. A big thank you again to the organising team and to everyone who joined and made the retreat a memorable one. **Looking forward to the next SIASU retreat. 💙** Signing off, **Farukh Mohd**
Learning, Bonding & Serving Our Community** **SIASU Retreat 2026** **Bangkok, Thailand | 26–29 January 2026** I chose to become a union delegate because I genuinely wanted to support my fellow colleagues and do my part in creating a fair, safe and respectful workplace. In our line of work, there may be times when colleagues face concerns or difficulties but are not sure who to approach or how to raise the issue. As a delegate, I see my role as a bridge between our members and the union, making sure that their concerns are heard and that they know there is someone they can turn to for support. To me, being a union delegate is not only about stepping in when there is a dispute or problem. It is also about looking at how we can improve the working environment, support the welfare of our colleagues and encourage better communication between everyone involved. I was grateful to be selected to attend the committee-organised retreat, which was my fourth retreat. Even after attending several retreats, there is always something new to learn and take away. The sharing and learning sessions gave me a better understanding of how we can handle different workplace issues. We also touched on areas such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and how the different departments can work together when dealing with members’ concerns. One part that I really appreciated was the opportunity to speak with more experienced delegates. Listening to their experiences reminded me that many of the challenges we face are not unique to one person or one department. By sharing our experiences and learning from one another, we can better understand the issues on the ground and find better ways to support our members. The retreat was also not only about meetings and learning sessions. Spending time together outside of work allowed us to know one another better on a personal level. Whether it was during meals, casual conversations or the activities together, these moments helped build trust and strengthen the bond among fellow union comrades. I feel that this is very important because good union work is not only about knowing the policies and procedures. It is also about having good relationships, being able to communicate openly and knowing that we can rely on one another when support is needed. After attending this retreat, I feel more confident in my role as a delegate and also more connected to my fellow union comrades. It reminded me again why I chose to take on this role in the first place — to support our members, listen to their concerns and do what we can to improve their welfare and working environment. The retreat also gave me the opportunity to learn more about how we, as delegates, can better support our cabin crew community. Through the sharing of experiences, discussions and interaction with one another, we gained a better understanding of the challenges our crew face and how we can work together to help where possible. For me, being a union delegate is about serving with empathy, responsibility and commitment, while always remembering the people we represent. **Working with our heart for our community.** **Rowena Chua**