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On the 26th of December there was an earthquake in Indonesia which caused a tsunami that hit Southern Thailand as
well as many other places. I flew to Bangkok on the 28th.
Other than running into a few other teacher's on the plane to Thailand, I didn't have any particularly bad experiences.
Well, there was a moment (40 mins) at immigration when I foolishly stood behind a family of 'russians' - something I
will not do again - especially as I had decided against smoking so that I could rush through immigration. However, once
I was finally through I didn't have to wait long for my bags and then on and out into the warmth of late December in Thailand!
That night all I did was get to my room, have a beer or two and go onto the balcony for a couple of smokes, (since my
last stay it was now necessary to smoke on the balconies for the short term guests.)
I awoke early the next morning - a little oblivious to the devastation and death in the South of the country, a
state I would stay in for the remainder of the holiday.
My room was still on the 8th floor but was diagonally opposite my last room so I had a different view as can clearly
be seen below.
December 29th
I awoke bright and early and then waited for Apple to arrive so we could see some more of the sights of Bangkok, Apple
suggested that Jim Thomson's house would be worth a visit but that we would go the the Thailand National Museum first.
The Thai National Museum is very interesting - it details all of the different era's and has a lot of info about the
current royal line, not to mention some great exhibits concerning Thai pre-history. Sadly, well, understandably no pics
are allowed inside.
Here's a pic from outside one of the many many buildings in the ground. I recognised the chap. Do you?
The answer is Vishnu! Of course you knew that! I knew you knew that! Everybody knows who it is! Incidentally,
the link below takes you to a plan of the National museum in Bangkok most of the links below the pic are clickable and you
can learn a little about some of the things I saw there.
I find Thailand a fascinating vibrant place. It has a culture that I am very enamoured with, but my perspective
is that of a 'wealthy' farang hence I always travel by taxi! By the by, it was during the taxi ride from the museum
to the next port of call (Mr Thompson's house) that I looked out the window and saw something which I feel to be unmistakably
thai, that picture resides below this blurb.
Now, you are probably wondering what is so special about this picture. Am I right? Well, it is the clash
of cultures that I see - you have the monk (ubiquitous), the scooter (ever-present and money), the 'shanty shop' (for want
of a better), the gentleman wearing shorts, sandals and a business shirt and of course this was taken from inside a taxi!
A taxi that Apple and I were in for an hour travelling barely 8 km! Quintessentially a Thai experience.
We were in the taxi so long that I decided that we would walk to our destination, I often wonder if the taxi isn't still
there stuck in traffic some 4 months later!
A couple of views of Mr Thompson's house in Bangkok. Lucky blighter got to Thailand in the 50's after working with
the American OSS (I think that was the Americans) during the war. He got to Thailand and decided to build his own traditional
Thai style house and it really is very nice, then he single handedly revamped the Thai silk industry before wondering off
into the jungle in Malaysia sometime and was never seen again. For more info about Mr Thompson try http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com/ and it has a lovely link about his life and legend. ooooh
December 30th
January 1st
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