Bangkok, Part 2

Bangkok, Part 2, is what I’ll call odds and ends. A hodgepodge of observations and musing and thoughts about Bangkok I couldn’t fit in Part 1 but didn’t want to leave out. 

There are markets of every description: wet markets where live eel, fish, crab, frogs, or anything else that swims, crawls, or wiggles through the water can be purchased. Flower markets are amazing with unreal amounts of variety and with a fragrance so enticing it leaves you almost lightheaded. Night markets, early morning markets, day markets and markets just for the weekends. We didn’t go this time around, but there is the Chatuchak Weekend Market. A full blown bonanza of a market that’s the largest in Thailand. It has over 15,000 stalls and 11,505 vendors according to Wikipedia. Cosmetics, antiques, electronics, pets, plants, art, clothes, food, whatever the desire, it’s here 3 different ways in 6 different colors. 

When we consider the world at large, not everyone has embraced the concept of equal pay for equal work and gender equality. A striking example I witnessed was a woman in a full burka, revealing only her eyes, holding a baby in 90-degree weather, while her husband sported slippers, shorts, a tank top, and stylish Calvin Klein sunglasses. This scenario is just one example of the inequality but there are other noted here also. Men often hold managerial positions while women are relegated to "worker bee" status, often in the tourism industry which is such a huge part of the Thailand economy these days. . 

Change will eventually come, benefiting societies that are attempting to embrace equality. However, those men accustomed to viewing women as second-class citizens might strongly resist these changes. I imagine they’ll probably throw a fit, kicking and screaming like a naughty 4 year old until those changes begin to take hold and become normalized. Bob Dylan aptly wrote, "The times, they are a-changin'."

Let's talk about shopping malls. One of the newer and most impressive ones sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, named ICONSIAM, roughly translated to ‘the icon of eternal prosperity’. You would do well to prosper mightily before you get here because they have the normal “we only let 3 guests at a time in the store” shops like your favs Giorgio, Oscar and Vera. It might sound a bit extravagant, but purchasing a New York Yankees jersey for $2495 is... well, I'm not sure how to describe it except maybe fun? Particularly if you have an American Express card with no limit. Or maybe, ridiculous, but fun would be a better way to put it as long as you can afford it. 

A waterfall of droplets fall in synch from the ceiling in different designs. One spells out ICONSIAM as it falls to the floor.

Here is ICONSIAM in all its glory. 

Anyway, the mall is stunning, boasting both extravagant shops and something for everyone. Spanning 5,650,000 square feet across 10 floors, it hosts over 700 shops and 100 restaurants. The prevailing theme in Thai shopping malls these days is to incorporate as much greenery as possible, rendering the interior of the mall gorgeous. They even feature a floating market on the main floor. Despite ICONSIAM not being the largest among the 200 malls in Bangkok, it's intriguing. It's akin to the abundance of food vendors on the streets—there's a small food stall, cart, or restaurant at every turn. You can dine at one or two tables set up right on the street or in small restaurants, some with no more than 4 or 5 tables. It puzzling how these shops survive and make a living, just as I wonder how 200 malls manage to stay in business. Despite seemingly improbable odds, they simply do. The malls are consistently bustling, and there's always someone waiting for their plate or bowl of food at the street vendors.

The following are tugboats. I must have a thing about them for as many photos that were taken of them 

If you are a tugboat fan also, knock yourself out on these work horses. 

Moon and I hope you had a wonderful time welcoming in the New Year. Our travels have exposed us to places where mutual respect among people is important and customary. I  recall Japan, where a bow, known as 'yumi,' and in Thailand, 'wei,' signifies respect and acknowledgment towards others. It's something that we might benefit from in the USA. Let's hope this coming year is filled with peace, good health, and prosperity for all of us. 

Happy New Year,

Ed and Terry.