Bangkok: Oct 23-27

Boston-Zurich-Bangkok, almost 21 hours, arriving 5:30 AM 2 calendar days after we left. The city is a chaotic mix of street vendors and sleek hotels, with endless traffic for icing, though it is a rainbow icing since the taxis are painted in acid-bright pinks, yellows, blues and greens.

We are staying in the business district, jewelry/gem subdivision. I'm impressed by the number and variety of wires strung from pole to pole--usually a distraction, here they reflect the many cultural strands that come together. There does not appear to be any zoning, so residences and schools and offices jumble together. Along the Chao Praya river, high rises soar while older residences suffer from recent flooding.

Often restaurants are down side streets (sois) that look unpromising and in violation of the prominent location, location, location rule of business, but good things lurk down dark sois. On the main drag, 7-11s are the most common commerce, along with banks and ATMs. But Buddhism is most striking of all, both historically and in everyday life. There are so many stories and creatures and temples, even the streetlamps connect to the faith.

 

 

People add gold leaf to a Buddha to carry their prayers.

 

While MBK and Paragon malls have all the latest fashions and are crowded with shoppers, the old market culture persists, not just for tourists. Chatuchak market has thousands of stalls, many selling the same merchandise. It's not clear how that commerce can survive alongside mega-malls.