Bangkok, Thailand

April 9, 10, Bangkok Thailand.  We've been here before and are glad to return.  Going to Thailand is somewhat of a Pavlovian experience for me.  When I sit down in a restaurant here, my entire body chemistry changes - the expectation of an authentic Thai meal infuses happiness into my blood stream.  We overnight in the Shangri-la hotel next to the river.  Visit the Jim Thompson silk store - a pricey store with top quality, authentic Thai silks.  There is an intriguing story behind the founder - read about it if you like.  There we enjoy a delicious meal in their cafe.  Then wander the streets browsing, and finally back to the hotel where we socialize with other travelers.

Next day we tour the floating market located in a water village a few hours outside of Bangkok.  Built on waterways like Venice, but in a jungle.  Mostly rough, handmade homes, but a few substantial mini-mansions interspersed among the modest dwellings.  We observe women doing laundry in the river, beating each garment to clean it.  They smile as we float by.  At the market, there are mostly tourists though also some locals.  Great bargains for a wide variety of products, many sold by vendors on small canoe-type boats.  Brigit transforms herself into a hyper-focused shopper and finds a dozen bargains.  I focus on my role in the food chain - my only purchase is a dozen tiny coconut pancakes - delicious.  Overall a pleasant, colorful and interesting experience.  Next we visit a large, ornate Buddhist temple crowded with worshipers - always enjoy the energy of the Thai people.

Then back to the city.  Bangkok is huge - 12 million people, mostly Buddhist (95%).  Genuine Buddhists live in the moment.  This contributes to their overall happiness, though does nothing to improve their skills in long-range planning.  Such lack of planning becomes evident in the chaotic layout and appearance of Bangkok.  It is not an attractive city.  The good news is that the Thai people are not easily bothered - they readily accept things as they are.  The unattractive city does not seem to be a problem for them.  Problem or not, there is lots of smog and bad traffic in this capital.  A flat and wide-spread city, many of its original waterways have been paved over.  The guide claims that traffic accidents are the third leading cause of death in Thailand.  I assume that the leading cause of death is birth.

As a Buddhist nation, Thais are known for their anything-goes attitude.  This produces wonderfully warm, friendly, non-judgemental people, but also a darker side that Bangkok in particular is well-known for.  They will party for any reason - full moon, half moon, quarter moon, while allowing certain crimes and corruption to flourish all around them.  They enjoy a certain rhythm in their lives, including a new year's celebration each year, and their biannual political coup.

Unlike every other country in southeast Asia, Thailand is the only nation in this part of the world that was never occupied or colonized by outside powers, European or otherwise.  Perhaps this helps to account for the nearly pure culture that continues to thrive here.

Another thing to know about Thailand is that it has perhaps the most highly-regarded medical tourism industry in the world.  So for your next facelift, consider flying to Thailand, and after your procedure spend two weeks recuperating in a 5-star resort.

One curious tidbit about this country is that you cannot get a real Thai ice tea here.  The Thai people don't know what it is.  You have to go to the U.S. or Europe for that.  Still, Thai food in Thailand is my favorite, and in my heart I have forgiven them for their culinary omission.  Our brief visit here comes to an end, and like Ronald McDonald in the photo, we press our hands together in front of our hearts, bow our heads slightly and say Sa-wa-dee to Thailand.  Next two days at sea.