The morning dawned. I parted the curtains and opened the window of my fifth-floor hotel room. The distant mountains were still enshrouded in clouds but I was more distracted by a cacophony of noises made by street hawkers outside, the clashing of cooking utensils in the midst of passing cars and motorcycles.
I looked at my watch. It was 6.30am Malaysian time, 5.30am in Betong, Thailand, a hidden gem lodged among the mountains. I was there on a short holiday with family and friends.
