I hate to use a bad joke twice but it really applies now. We arrived in Bangkok righting the middle of antigovernment protests. The issue is repeated around the world. The people want a different government because they feel the current one is corrupt. More specifically, rice farmers have been receiving government subsidies for years. This year, for some reason, the farmers have not received their money. Subsidies, it appears, are the lever that the opposition is using to try unseating the current government. Subsidies were used to keep the farmers voting pro-government. Now that they have misfired on this, the middle class is protesting and using this as the reason.
So, as we have been advised by the hotel, we are trying to stay away from protest crowds and keep a low profile. You can see the traffic havoc that these crowds have caused. I should also note how organized they protesters are...the pup tents are neatly organized and food lines are orderly.
We have been here before and really enjoy the city. The people are very friendly and welcoming. Shopping is a national pastime and a medal sport for my sister in law. Pat can shop but is more of an enabler than a competitive shopper.
Speaking of shopping, Pat and I went to the floating market. This is where you ride a boat past all of these little shops right on the water. Should you show any interest, the captain will pull the boat up to the siding...the shop keep has a gaff hook used to pull the boat in and then you dicker for anything you have an interest in. These folks are great negotiators...we need them in the car business.
Later to one of our favorites, the Golden Buddha. This is a Buddha made entirely of gold....5 tons of it, in fact. This is a beautifully kept temple right in the center of the city.
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| Palace where the Golden Buddha resides |
Today, we are heading for the Erawan falls and the famous Bridge on the river Kwai. Our driver, Noppadon who we have used in the past always knows where to take us...
That's all for now!
