Bangkok - Random Thoughts

I've collected together a series of random photos I took throughout Bangkok. This post is to compliment the other Bangkok posts I wrote previously. Only this one, as I said, is completely random stuff that I wanted to put into a blog but didn't know where. So here you are my Blogging Buddies, random Bangkok photos:

Taxis. I loved the colour of the taxi cabs in Bangkok. Unlike other cities that seem to stick with the standard yellow taxi cab norm Bangkok brightens things up a bit. Their cabs are bright pinks, neon greens, and bright sunny orange colours. Driving in these cabs was quite the experience too... not due to the bright colours of the cabs, but the interaction we had with the cab drivers. Taking a cab within the Bangkok city central is a pleasing and uncomplicated experience. But, on the other hand, as soon as you tell the cab driver you want to travel outside of Bangkok's city limits it became an endless battle involving the price of the cab fees. Most of the time they use the meter. Easy: the meter tells you what you owe. But if the destination you were requesting is far away, the cab drivers would start quoting prices and refusing to the use the meter. The reason behind this? Well, in the cab driver's mind they see the trip as a one way fair. They think that once they drop you off at that far destination then there's no one to pay for the trip back. The prices they quote cover both trips. A good example of this is driving to and from the airport. The airport is far from Bangkok central so the cabbie always, in my experience at least, refuse to use the meter and start yelling out fees like, "300 baht, pay 300 baht." I found out later that if the meter was used, the price was slightly over 100 baht. It was annoyingly funny how the cab driver who was taking us back to the airport was justifying the fee by saying, "Oh, airport so far. So very far. So so far ... tsk tsk ... no meter needed ... 300 baht, it's good for you, it's good for me!" I don't know how it's good for me if I'm being ripped off. If he was trying to ease my mind he wasn't doing a very good job.


This is a tuk-tuk (pronounced took-took). The tuk-tuk is the Southeast Asian version of a vehicle known elsewhere as an auto rickshaw or cabin cycle. It is a widely used form of urban transport in Bangkok and other Thai cities, as well as other major Southeast Asian and South Asian cities. It is particularly popular where traffic congestion is a major problem, such as in Bangkok.

Tuk-tuk parking lot!

Aimee proudly posing by a tuk-tuk.

National Museum Bangkok.

The National Museum Bangkok in the city of Bangkok features exhibits of Thai art and history. The museum was established and opened in 1874 by King Rama V to exhibit relics from the rule of King Rama IV's rule. Today the galleries contain exhibits covering Thai History back to Neolithic times. It is stated as being the largest museum in Southeast Asia.

The museum consists of a large courtyard that houses various ancient and recent buildings and architecture. In these buildings are 19 galleries showcasing all areas of Thai history through information and artifacts. Most of the photos I took were from outside the buildings since interior photo taking was forbidden in most galleries.

These creatures, called the Garuda, is a mythical figure with a human torso and arms, a demonic face and a bird's legs, wings and tail. They are the National Emblem (National Symbol) of Thailand. The Garuda is a figure from both Buddhist and Hindu mythology. In Thailand, this figure is used as a symbol of the royal family and authority.

Although there was a huge sign beside this Buddha statue telling me not to take photos, I quickly took one anyhow. Why did I brave such villainy? No reason, I just liked the statue and wanted a picture ... no villainy intended.

The main building at the museum told the story of Thailand's history. The history was told through the use of Thai action figures! Yeah, I know they're called miniatures or better yet, dioramas, but in my world they're called action figures!

Thailand, like most countries, has had a bloody history (which I can't summarize for you here). Lots of wars, lots of battles... But what I found so intriguing about their battles is the involvement of elephants! Imagine that, elephants! Forget the horses, bring in the elephants!
Let's add a few elephants to a Western movie. There's nothing more satisfying than riding your elephant off into the sunset.

Aimee and a Garuda.

After the National Museum we took a boat ride on the Chao Phraya River...

The cities along the Chao Phraya are Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut Prakan, listed from north to south. These cities are among the most historically significant and densely populated settlements of Thailand precisely because of their access to the waterway.

Touring Bangkok via the Chao Phraya River is an excellent way of seeing the city from a completely fresh new viewpoint. From the river you can see 10 different Wats (temples) as well as the Grand Palace.

While travelling down the river I saw this huge sign. Okay, let's see how many of you know Thailand ... which extremely famous person is featured on this sign?

Tick
Tick
Tick...

Okay, times up! If you guessed Thailand's King, King Bhumibol, you are correct!

King Bhumibol rose to the throne in 1946, after the unexplained shooting of his brother, King Ananda Mahidol. At 18 and with no training for his new task, Bhumibol promised to "reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people." He has done so. And the response he gets from his people in rural Thailand today is almost beyond the understanding of the Western mind: Thai villagers lay down handkerchiefs for him to walk on and then they save the scraps of cloth with his footprint in shrines at their homes. He is a beloved king in Thailand, and you will see photos, billboards, signs and references of him all over!


On many streets you will see images of him.

Asiaweek magazine recently described the place of the Thai royal family in the life of the nation:

"It is probably safe to say that no monarch in the world is as popular as King Bhumibol. Or so revered. Or so present. His portrait hangs in virtually every home and office in the land, a kind of benevolent father watching over his children. Every night all TV channels run footage of royal family members attending official functions. Some, such as visits by foreign heads of state, are clearly significant; others would make little television sense anywhere else. But, as former premier Anand Panyarachun says, over the years the King has earned the admiration of his people in a manner that cannot be fully comprehended by foreigners.

We leave Bangkok now with a photo of two cats. Why cats? Why not I say ... why not ... there's always room for a few cats in every blog.

Next stop, Singapore!