Thailand at a crossroad

When I flew out of Suvarnabhumi Airport just over a month ago, little would I expect the PAD demonstrators would siege both airports and bring the country to its knees!

I always believe Thais are pragmatic people and would resolve their differences through compromises. What happen here?

Surmise to say stakes are simply too high with the power struggles behind the scene this time round.





















How could protesters rallied for 6 months without having to work? Reportedly most are women folks from well to do middle class. Guess these well fed ladies are evident to that!















Police in full riot gear, less firearms. Under orders to use minimal force literally gave protesters a free hand. PAD reportedly has powerful backers!














I think it is a sad situation for Thailand so much being destroyed in a week that took the country so many years to achieve!

Tensions are raised to flash point level.. just hope senses return to those who pull the strings behind and put the country back on road to normalcy.

Updated 9th Dec 2008
OMG, it was over for now! Survanarbhumi operations back to normal. But the country is counting the costs and people responsible for the mess walked free - truly amazing!
Guess this unfortunate episode deterred many visitors returning in the near future.. but not me!

Bangkok street life

Bangkok is a big city of more than 10 millions. Being the main economic center, it drew people from all over the country to make a living here. As such it is a kaleidoscope of varied life on the streets. A sample of my snapshots... it's colors & contrasts, of lives that hums on daily.

Food vendors by the streets are common sights.
















Vendors pedal their wares on streets with busy thoroughfare.





















Tuk Tuk seems to confine to older parts of the city.
















It's rambutan season.. a line up of reds: red taxi, motorbike & fruit vendor.
















Art shop in basement of MBK Mall, artists at work.
















Temples are also places to get an education - young monks enjoyed a round of ice-cream during breaks.
















Chinatown offers interesting street scenes all day long.
Passerby at Chinese temple clasped her hand in prayer for a moment before moving on.





















By evening, 2nd hand good vendors set up shop along Charoen Krung Road (Chinatown)
















He has customer even before setting up shop
















His specialty are bottle caps!





















Man having a sumptuous noodle on side street. Me too.. just the table next.





















How tired can one be? Slept on his vegeies!





















For some who couldn't make it, a public bench beneath highway is home. His dream lady painted on a pole behind?

Hindu worshipers in Bangkok

Most worshipers to these Hindu shrines are Buddhists I believe. It is interesting to note the influence of Hindu deities & legends fused with Buddhism in Thai culture.

This brings back memories of a Hindu procession witnessed back in 2005 somewhere in Sathorn area. Think it was Thaipusm time if I am not mistaken. Streets around a Hindu temple were lined with devotees with altars set up on the sidewalk - probably a hundred or more!





















It wasn't quite the same as the Thaipusm procession seen in Singapore or Malaysia where Indian devotees carried Kavadies in procession.

Here past mid-night, a banner led a procession of Hindu priests out from the temple.
















The first priest balanced a pot of flowers on his head while blessing devotees. You got to see the emotions of worshipers rushing forward.






























































Hindu deities were very colorful decorated with flower garlands, carried on men's shoulders.





































Priest with metal skewers pierced through his chin.
































Ceremonial dance performed when priests were passing.










































I have seen Indian deities occasionally in Thai temples of the provinces too - visible but not prominent.

Another Hindu Shrine

Nearby to Erawan Shrine is another Hindu Shrine (just diagonally across the traffic junction) outside Isetan department store at Central World Plaza (formerly World Trade Center).





















There are actually 2 shrines here..





















Lord Brahma in standing pose to the right...





















Lord Ganesha sat on the left.





















the Lord of Accomplishment.





















He took the form of an elephant head with a human torso.. with pot belly.































































It is not as popular as the Erawan Shrine judging from the number of worshippers.
If I have to follow the crowds.. guess I would pick Erawan Shrine to make my wishes come true!

Update 20th Nov 2008
My curiosity of Hindu Shrines in central Bangkok lead further readings.. this site shed more on this subject if you are interested too.

http://www.thaiwebsites.com/hindushrines.asp

Erawan Shrine

Outside Grand Hyatt Erawan along the Sukhumvit Road corner is the well known Erawan Shrine. First erected in 1956, it has been around for more than half a century! Probably most Asian visitors to Bangkok would know or have heard about it.

In Chinese it has often been referred as the 'Four Faced Bhudda', so I have mistaken for years it is Buddhist originated. How wrong it was! In fact it is the Hindu God of Creation - Brahma.

Thais & tourists come daily, rain or shine to make their wishes here.
Views from the BTS walkway above.





































A close up of view of Lord Brahma. On 21st Mar. 2006, the statute was smashed by a mentally ill man. The act was so provocative he was killed by angry bystanders. This statute was restored on 21st May 2006.





















Traditional Thai dance can accompany your wish making process too - small price to pay if helps.
















Taking a break - cosmetic touched up in between performances.





















Vendors outside are doing brisk business too.
































The courtyard is lined with rows of wooden elephant sculptures - big & small; worshiper's gratitude in return for wishes granted?






























































One would go round making wishes 4 times around the shrine, at each face of the deity.
















Air filled with incense smoke soon filled the air as worshipers number grew.. bring tears to eyes!
















Attendant making his round clearing off incense sticks & candles to make space for others - Oops how does it affect the wishes made before the incense fully burned out?
















It doesn't matter, people of all walks of life continue to stream in;
Men..
















Young couple...





















Women folks...
































The young & old... we all have our wishes, don't we?
















Lots of coconut juice to quench Lord Brahma's thirst (served with straw too!)?





















Is it only in one's mind after all?