I‘m on Bangkok’s world famous Khao San Road. Famous with travelers for the cheap digs. Famous with locals for the massive glut of foreigners.
As you can see behind me in the photo, the streets are clogged with pitchmen, vendors, stalls and stores. And not a block a way a Buddhist temple rests with open doors. This is the story of Bangkok, a city torn between two ideals.
Been To One, Been To Bangkok
If you’ve experienced Los Angeles, New York City, Seoul or any other major metro then Bangkok will be familiar to you – perhaps disappointingly so. The city and it’s people thrive on the commercialism that runs rampant through the streets.
If you’re not being propositioned for a tuk-tuk ride you’re tripping over yet another stall of Che Guevarra t-shirts. As you sit to enjoy a meal from one of the thousands of sidewalk vendors you’ll also be approached by a traveling vendor selling wooden frogs and jester-like hats.
The Not-So-Hidden Fuel Of Bangkok
It’s obvious that this city is driven by economics and the people, poor as they are, are looking to cash in on Bangkok being the traveler’s hub of Southeast Asia. They can’t be blamed, though. It’s a matter of economics… the same fuel that powers the infamous Thailand sex industry.
What I do find out about all this is that, being a country that’s 95% Buddhist, all of this seems out of sorts with the underlying principles that govern people’s daily life.
Buddha Buddha Everywhere
Every vehicle has at least one, if not five, statues of the Buddha on the dashboard. Necklaces with Buddha images are commonplace. People, no matter how poor, give what they can to support their local temple. Instead of a wave of the hand or a handshake, the common greeting is a wai, hands held together in front of the face in a prayer position.
While it would be near impossible to separate the culture of this country from it’s Buddhist roots, the capitalist spirit is weeding it’s way in there as best it can. Sometimes it’s actually difficult to distinguish a temple for what it actually is because of the mob of merchants shacked up and stacked up along the outside temple walls.
While interesting and a must-experience, Bangkok makes me homesick for a small village.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Dude! You're THERE! So cool.
Ya, this pretty much sums up Bangkok, for sure! I'll never forget the early morning glimpse on Kho San the first time I was there… I watched a barefoot monk pass a Ladyboy doing the walk of shame on the same sidewalk. The early morning merchants were sweeping up the street and it was very indicative of everything that Bangkok represents.
Great reflections Mark. Thanks for sharing this. Glad to see your face come up on Twitter (through my friend Brooke no less!) If you're still around town for a while then we need to catch up again soon. Hope your time with the SF guys was good.
i should be back up in BKK arond the 29th or so before i head to laos. i'll be sure to ring you back up, i enjoyed hanging out
Hey Mark, those are some great observations at some of the reality of Bangkok. I enjoyed the article and maybe will bump into you again when you come through!
Sounds Awsome.