120409 Sunday

This is the first time I’ve ever witness a protest on the street. What can I say? I live in the lion city. I felt the persistence and determination even more from the Thai people towards the government especially on this day, Songkran (Thai New Year). Thai people usually reserve their resentment by not showing their discontent in the public. They even have a phrase, Jai Yen Yen which means cool it down to resolve any unhappy situation. This is however unlikely to cool the fervor of the Thai people, not even prickly heat powder.

I was supposed to enjoy a series of water splashing but what I didn’t expect is on my way back to Siam sky train station, the heavy traffic that used to don on the road of Siam Paragon has turn into a pool of Si Daeng (red) polo-t. Thankfully, I’m not wearing any red color top to make my stand. I also try to avoid red underwear to certain extent. ;)

I’m not going to comment much about Thailand politics because it’s not my place to critique but what I would like to share is that Thailand is a great nation once under the rule of King Rama 4, Mongkut during the Chakri dynasty. It is the only country in Asia that was not been intervened or invaded. The king whom wrote to Queen Victoria and keeps their foreign policy diplomatically is the envy of South East Asia. What we don’t realize is that before Mongkut becomes the King, he was a monk for 44 years. A great nation can rule with immense compassion, if only we don’t let our ego get in our way. The world can be a better place to live in...

110409 Saturday

Heading back to Krung Thep to celebrate Songkran. I heard they started to splash water earlier on the 12th. Nonetheless, I decided to stay for a night in Krung Thep, catch a movie before taking an 8 hours night bus to Si Saket, the town of temple of the million recycled bottles.

100409 Friday - Kachanaburi

I heart Kachanaburi! Every obstacle I face reaching the Kachanaburi is well-worth it! The day before I was apprehensive about the local transport but it turns out it’s easy as snapping a finger. Sometimes you just have to let go your fear, what’s the worst that could happen? Paying 100Baht for the taxi to get back to your guest house?

Usually, when you travel to Thailand, the next best transportation beside bus (I’m a cheapskate) is the Songthaew as some of the places you need to visit is located in a long straight road. The Si-Som (Orange) Songthaew in K only cost 10 Baht for every single trip and I can alight anywhere I like.
I’ve made my plan the day before to visit a few places, Death Railway Museum, Kachanaburi Cemetery where I try to locate the soldier who was born on the same day as me, the famous River Kwai Bridge, the Art Gallery and World War Two Museum.

Since Death Railway Museum is not far away from my guest house, I decided to try my town walking to the museum knowing I’ve seen it along the motorcycle ride from the bus station to my guesthouse. The admission ticket 100 Baht is quite pricey nonetheless you got a free tea to go along. The exhibition of how the soldiers were tortured to build the Thailand-Burma Railway is horrifying. The narration of the living conditions of the soldiers building the bridge is disconcerting. It’s shocking to see how a person can do such heinous crimes to another person. The Japanese left this part of the important history missing from their text book just so they could avoid the shame their ancestor have done.The most touching moment are the exhibits of the letters they received from their family and also some of the personal belongings left by the soldiers. Most farang (foreigners) in the museum look at me in a strange way, probably thinking that I’m Japanese. Luckily I’m alive when I step out of the museum.

Opposite the museum is the war cemetery, for the fun of it, I spend my time unraveling the soldiers that was born and died on the same day as my birthday.

I than took the Songthaew to the River Kwai Bridge. It was fantastic! It looks very historical and majestic especially underneath the bridge is the river Kwai. There even have a 10 mins train ride for you to go across the river Kwai bridge! It’s breathe-taking! Around the bridge, there are a lot of stalls selling Burmese jade. At first, I wanted to buy one for my mum but then think about it she will most probably nag at me of wasting money.
After visiting the river Kwai Bridge, I walk to the Art gallery and World War Two museum. It’s quite a bizarre museum open by a local rich Chinese merchant. They exhibits the murals of the all the Thai Kings that rules from the Lanna Kingdom to the Chakri dynasty. Not to mention they even have a wall mural of the past Miss Thailand. The eighties Miss Thailand hair sure seem to be huge ;) The view from the roof top is amazing particularly when you see the river Kwai Bridge.

All in all, K makes me reflect about DEATH. It’s a taboo to talk about. It’s not an experience somewhat we’re able to describe. It’s not something we anticipate. It’s not something we can try to reverse.

But, if we take the time to understand it, we’ll eventually realize that there is no escape from death. It’s only when we accept these facts then we’re able to know how to liberate ourselves and live everyday of our life fullest.

080409 Wednesday

Silom/Saladaeng is the home to the infamous Patpong market. The sleazy red light district is totally disastrous to me as the pimp keep enthuse you to get into the go-go bar to see Super Pussy. Pussy or should I say vagina that are able to flexes their muscles to a degree that it’s non-human. Just the other day, my friend, Stein, Erllan and Jasmine got cheated by paying 3500 Baht within 2 minutes to see super pussy.

As I desperately need another pair of boxers and since I’ve some time left before catching my train to Kachanaburi. That’s where I begin to see another side of Silom. Opposite the street of Patpong market, in the morning between 10am to 2pm. The narrow lane in between the CP Tower and United Centre opens a whole new world to me. The food galore and the cheap fashion is something I will bring my friend next time.

When I left my guest house to the Hualumpong train station, I realize I mistaken the train to Kachanaburi is directly from Krung Thep but it’s not. Thus, I decide to stay in CozyBangkok, a guesthouse nearby to catch the train the next morning.

090409 Thursday

My initial plan is to take a train from Krug Thep to Nakhon Pathom and then transfer to the next train from Nakhon Pathom to Kachanaburi but it turns to be a series of unexpected events. First, the train from KT to NP is delayed for 1 hour which means I’ll miss my next train to Kachanaburi from NP. So, I ask for a refund and took a bus to the Southern Bus Terminal to catch the next bus to Kachanaburi. Once I reach K, I thought everything will go smoothly, not until the lady from the reception says that the guesthouse is full. I guess I’ve to settle for second best today.

Luckily, I now have an usually strong aptitude for the unexpected after I get in touch with dharma. I understand that in order to graduate from a certain batch of weird Karma that has persisted, I must completely accept the situation as it is, acknowledge my role in precipitating and prolonging it and feel gratitude for all the experience has taught me.

070409 Tuesday

After visiting Wat Bang Phil Yai Klang, I catch a hilarious Thai movie, Sassy players. It’s about Sissy boys playing football which causes lot of laughter.
When I reach the guest house then I realize I’m all alone in a 7 person dorm. How delightful!

Wat Bang Phil Yai Klang

Everyone thinks that the largest reclining Buddha is at Wat Pho, Bangkok. However, after doing some research the longest reclining Buddha in Thailand is at Bang Phil, Wat Bang Phil Yai Klang.

This is really a difficult temple to find but it’s all worth it. I took a bus 25 as what the website has mentioned thinking it’ll get me directly to Wat, only to be told by the bus driver to transfer another bus 132 in the middle of the road. Once I’ve reached Bang Phil, the lady told me to hop on a red (Si daeng) Songthaew at the opposite side of the road. In order to make sure (It’s always good to double check when you’re backpacking), then to realize it’s the blue (Si Fah) Songthaew that will get me to the temple. With all the confusion came a man whom asked me to hop on a motorcycle instead. (Motorcycle is a kind of public transport; usually they will wear an orange or blue vest, of course, this kind of transport can only take one passenger) I jump on the bike without a helmet, open up my legs wide apart at the back of the motorcyclist and I must say it’s exhilarating!! The best part about taking a motorcycle is that you can squeeze through the busy traffic and get to your destination faster by 85%.

What’s amazing about this reclining Buddha is not just the size only, I know size matters ;) but it is in fact you can enter the reclining Buddha and unravels 4 storeys of wall murals depicting Buddha’s life story, the various realms of existence and even a simple story of how Avalokitesvas saves the sentient beings. It makes me reflect the bad deeds I’ve done and need to be avoided. Also, the compassion we must possess for everyone.

The surprise comes when you slowly navigate the wide long pathway from the first floor leading up to a narrow room that accommodates a human heart covered with gold foil. It’s believed to be the heart of Buddha which of course is the star piece adorned by everyone…

With all my gratitude to all the Thai locals whom gave me direction, regardless what the people said about the Tuk Tuk driver in Thailand, all in all, kindness is everywhere, you just need to start it.

030409 (Friday) – 050409 (Sunday)

It’s all about shopping! Once the Prestat babes and hunks reaches the guesthouse, it immediately becomes a series of Shopping, eating, massage, facial and more shopping, the favorite pastime of Bangkokians. My colleagues from Prestat fine chocolates, which I often freelance with has decided to join me in the beginning of my backpacking as they have known I’m the connoisseur of Bangkok shopping. With the total number of 8 people, I decided them to split them up according to their shopping needs and allocate time for us to meet back.

We’ve such a amazing time and because of my professional service, I was tipped by them at the end of the trip which I couldn’t believe it! They are the sweetest! After they left, I met Rafael and Jenny from Switzerland. They are one of the coolest and fun people to hang out. Sad that they’re returning home the next day after their 4 months backpacking, it seems like everyone is leaving before me. Thus, I brought them to my favorite Yum Saap for dinner before we chill out in one of the local bar, watching football.

Wat Boromracha Kanchanapisek Anusorn

Since Thailand is a Theravada country, it’s not common to see Chinese temples even though there a few notable ones in Chinatown but this temple is something I’ve never seen. The scale of the temple is huge, the details and the finishing (Wood carvings and paintings) are meticulous.

There are 3 main halls. The first hall when you enter; you are received by the laughing Buddha, Metriya then inside the four corners of the hall is the 4 heavenly kings. After you exit the first hall, you’ll see a long flight of stairs which is the main hall that houses 3 Buddhas, even though they look alike they are actually very different. In the middle is Shakyamuni, on his left is the Medicine Buddha from the Eastern Paradise, lastly on his right is the Amittabahh (Western Paradise). On the side of the hall, is the 18 Arahats (Ah Luo Han), the disciples of Buddha.

Last but not least, the 2 storey building behind the main hall is the most magnificent. The first floor houses the most venerated Bodhisattvas, Avalokitesvara in thousand hands and eyes. The exquisite hand crafted Burmese wood illustrate the gentleness and serenity of the Bodhisattvas.
The second floor is where you’ll see the Three Saints of Western Paradise, Amittabah follow by Avalokitesvara and Mahasthapaprata. The walls on the side and the back drop of the Three Saints of Paradise are all covered with 10,000 little Golden Buddha. It looks majestic and of course supreme!

That’s not all! The bonus of the day is when I met Khum Puk when her son asks me to take a picture for their family. That’s when she offers me a ride back to my guest house and tour around Nonthaburi. She is one of the gracious and munificent people I’ve ever met in Thailand. She even takes me to a riverside restaurant for dinner. As much as I insist of paying for the dinner, she declines it profusely and said I’m a guest. Not to mention she speaks Good English.

It’s like the fairy godmother flaunts her magic ward and turn my day into a beautiful day…

The end is another beginning - Thailand of course

The journey begins with a dumb decision of flying to Bangkok from Senai Airport, Johore Bahru. Long exhausting hours which I’ve miscalculated, bad services I mean everywhere and lastly flying with a bunch of morons that doesn’t know the basic rules of pulling up the window shield, no standing up and unlocked the front compartment when the flight is about to land. Thankfully, I arrived in Suvarnabumi Airport, Bangkok safely and sound after the 6 hours long journey from Singapore.

I reached my guest house around 7pm (Bangkok time), which is a good timing to start my dinner at Bangkok. Nothing disappoint me from Yam Saap, the Smiley face eatery. My guest house Take a nap, is extraordinaire, the ambience is inviting and the receptionist is friendly & meticulous. I can’t ask for more except maybe the bonus of knowing a few interesting dorm mates which luckily I did. Widi from Indonesia, Theresa from Germany, Mandy and Suzanna from Middle East and Ash from Australia. It’s a short and sweet affair as Theresa has to leave Bangkok to Germany after travelling for 7 months and Ash, Mandy and Suzanna leaving to Phuket the next morning.

Thus, we bought Bercadi to bid farewell to Theresa while the rest bought a big bottle of champagne. I was a little high as you can tell from the picture for I can’t hold my liquor. Widi, Theresa and I agree to catch a movie the next morning. I can’t help but to suggest the latest film by Nicholas Cage, Knowing. The movie is awesome with a capital A and it makes people wonder if God really do exist. After the movie, we bade farewell to Theresa. Hopefully the transition of getting back to reality is easy to adapt...