September 25, 2005
Bangkok: Organized Noise
I zapped India's Mumbai Airport without a visa, got sent back to Amsterdam, and then I flew to Bangkok, Thailand. I'm half-Thai, but I've spent my life considering myself white because I identified with my dad who was Polish. I still find it hard to believe I'm half-Thai since I was nurtured far away from Bangkok.
I can say I've been to India. I can't say I got far. Mumbai Passport Control.
Beggar in Bangkok
Democracy Monument
A blurry picture of a roach
A shrine on one end of World Trade Plaza
And another shrine on the other end
Lingam Shrine. That guy in the background on the right, possibly afraid that this would be my sole impression of Thailand, gave me directions to another shrine.
Lingam Shrine figurines
A Shrek painting on the ground at Lingam Shrine
Ronald is ecstatic to see you.
Juice and water vendor
We would like to sell you a car in the mouth for thrills.
Incense in the air at Erawin Shrine
The dancers at Erawin Shrine
The wooden elephants at Erawin Shrine
A rough summary of your life
First World in Third World: MBK Shopping Center in Siam Square
A breakdancer practicing on the SkyWalk outside of MBK
Raisin' tha roof at Wat Arun
River by Wat Arun
Roof detail at Grand Palace
It's the restricted places I want to access.
A sculpture of Buddha at Wat Pho
A sculpture not of Buddha
Reclining Buddha. This dude is huge.
Morning yoga exercises in Lumpini Park
On the left is a man napping in Lumpini Park. In the middle and right are lizards who leave him unharmed.
There's no place like phone booth.
Or path in Lumpini Park.
A sculpture at the National Museum.
Me, an artifact, and newfound friend Sarice at the National Museum
Chinatown: Not for the Claustrophobic
I went to an art gallery at Silpakorn University to see a specific piece displayed in my guidebook that was no longer on exhibition, but this piece outside the gallery piqued my interest.
The entrance to Nana Entertainment Plaza. In the middle is a young rose seller. She asked me to take her picture and later she asked me to buy a rose. I asked her to buy my tripod. She whipped out 100 baht (about $2.50) and then demanded that I give her the tripod. I heard her snatch the 100 baht back, but I didn't see it. Sneaky girl! To the right of center you can see a prostitute being hugged by a client. To the left of center in the background, a prostitute covers her face.
Tuk-tuks waiting to tuck you into bed
