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| Sunsets of Thailand - Joggers, Bang Tao Beach, Phuket |
Koh Samet is a small island lying just off the coast to the east of Bangkok. About 2 hours by bus from Ekkamai bus station, the island is popular with Thais, Expats and tourists alike. Featuring beautiful beaches and crystal clear water, it is an ideal place to get away from Bangkok for the weekend.
Having been a keen gardener in the past, one of the delights about living in Asia is the wealth of tropical plants and flowers that grow here. IN particular I love the Frangipani or Plumeria to give it it's offical name. This is a tree with a beautiful flower which is normally white and yellow. There are some varities of a different colour of which this is one.
This monumnet in the centre of Vientiane is called Patuxai which means victory gate. It was built in the 1960's as a monument to those who died fighting the French. It was built with money donated by the US for the purposes of building an airport hence it's other name The Vetical Runway.
It was Japanese week just before Christmas in Bangkok, or at least it was outside Central World shopping Centre. This was an excuse it seemed for the local youth to dress up in all sorts of strange costumes to participate in a competition. I have no idea who all these people were supposed to represent but in some cases the connection to Japan seemed to be very tenuous indeed - I saw one guy dressed as St George! These are 2 Alice in Wonderland lookalikes ( I think!)
Chiang Mai, in the North of Thailand is known for its handicraft. Furniture is very popular but so are umbrellas mnay of which sport colourful designs such as these. Chiang Mai is generally cheaper than Bangkok and other places such as Phuket and anyone furnishing a house usually does so with products purchased direct from Chiang Mai.
While in India near Mamallapuram, I walked along the beach to a fishing comunity. This community was hard hit by the 2004 tsunami but had recovered largely thanks to help from some German organisations who had provided new boats. The locals were quite friendly especially as they could speak some English and were only too happy to talk to me. This is one guy who caught my eye and was only too happy to have his photograph taken.
This is Krishna's Butterball in Mamaalpuram near Chennai India. It is a huge rock which seems precariously balanced but I guess stronger men than I have failed to push it over. Still it is quite an amazing site.
Since living in Asia, I have discovered that tuk tuks come in all shapes and sizes other than the ubiquitous Bangkok tuk tuk. This one was seen outside the station in Udon Thani and seems to be pretty tyoical for the area. I am currently in India where they are different again and are predominently yellow in colour. But then I am in Chennai so they maybe a different colour elsewhere in India.
How about this for a work of art? This was a cappuccino coffee served in a small cafe in Vientiane, Laos.
Caught asleep at the Grand Palace in Bankok or was he? Maybe he was just bored
This guy has obviously had enough of lugging around his baskets of fruit and fallen asleep. As he carries a small stool with him, he obviously makes a habit of it. I can't say that I blame him as the heat in Bangkok can be oppressive and those baskets look heavy.
This is taken at Chit Lom just opposite the Central department store.
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| Street Food, Bangkok |
Close to Chinatown is the flower market where you can buy mnay different flowers and bouquets. This being Thailand, there are lots of orchids but also roses seem to very popular and very cheap. A large bunch of roses will set you back about 50 baht or about 70 pence.
Chatuchak market other wise known as Jatujak or "JJ" to the locals is an enormous weekend market with thousands of stalls. In fact, much of it is open throughout the week. It is located in the north of Bangkok tends to be very hot and I have also noticed that it seems to get more than ots fair share of thunderstorms. As my wife likes to shop there, I inevitably getted dragged along from time to time but there is a little oasis in the midst of this shopping desert and this is the place in section 26/161 which is fairly close to the edge of the section. A great place to have a beer, it has a great atmosphere and I have seen many a weary tourist's eyes light up as they accidentally come across it. The staff are very pleasant, if not a bit strange. At least one is a katoey (or ladyboy) and another is obviously a Bob Marley freak with dreadlocks. They tend to make up large concoctions of whisly & soda or tequila and lime to sip in between serving their customers. Although the sale of beer is officially prohibited between 2 and 5 pm, it does not seem to be a big issue in this establishment.
Despite being a frequent visitor, I ave absolutely no idea what this bar is called. I must ask next time I go.
THis is the Skytrain in Bangkok which has been open since about 1999. When it first opened it was virtually empty and you could get a seat everytime. How things have changed. It is virtually impossible to get a seat anytime. Still very limited extensions are currently under way and there are more lines planned but this is Thailand so dont hold your breath in the hope that a new line will be appearing soon.
Bangkok has a large Chinatown and many of the Thais hail from Chinese descendants so it is not surprising that Chineses temples abound in Bangkok. They tend to be quite small and often somewhat hidden in contrast to the huge Wat's that are the temples of the more traditional Thai form of Bhuddhism.
This temple is on a road running parallel with Silom Road and just behind the Central department store. It is typically adorned with dragons.
Seen from Phrong Prom skytrain station on Sukhumvit Road, I presume that this tuk tuk is owned by the Robin Hood pub which is was just passing.
There seems to have been an increase in the number of beggars in Bangkok just lately. The tourist high season is approaching and I am sure there are now more on the streets.
There are different categories of beggar. There are the disabled, some of whom have really grotesque injuries caused by fire, leprosy or other causes. Some have lost their limbs and these are probably refugees from Cambodia. The infirm receive money from tourists and Thais alike, but be careful as they are not always what they seem. I have seen an apparent armless man begging with a cup in his mouth get up and move aware revealing a pair of perfectly functioning arms!
There are women with babies and very young children most of whom must be drugged because they all appear lifeless. These almost always part of an organised crime syndicate aimed at extracting money from the tourists. They are also unlikely to be Thai but Burmese or Cambodian.
There are children begging alone such as this little chap, sometimes they sit with a puppy in an attempt to extract even more sympathy and of course money. They are also at the mercy of unscrupulous operators or even parents. I have sometimes seen them with mobile phones obviously in touch with their minders.
Then there are the genuine homeless or mentally disturbed people who can usually be recognised because they are so filthy. These too arouse my sympathy.
If you are in Bangkok you will have to make your own mind up as to who receives your charity, but I for one will not give money as a reward for exploiting children.
According to Flickr, this is the 3rd most interesting photo in my collection. Personally I like this photo as for me it epitomises Thailand as a holiday destination. This is taken on Phi Phi Don Island in a particularly beautiful spot. Most people do not see this part of Phi Phi as it is on the north east corner of the island and there are only 3 hotels there. It is very quiet and peaceful.
