One of our favourite little stops when we decide to stay over in Bangkok is the Riverside Hotel, located on Ratwiti Rd on the banks of the Chayo Phaya river (Website here - Thai).
Although, I wouldn't recommend staying there for a while, as there is a large neighbouring hotel being built next door.
We love staying at the Riverside as it's familiar, and as we have a membership we get a nice discount (its only 900 baht a night, and the rooms and food are good). There is also a large ferry moored next to the hotel, where you can have dinner whilst sailing down the Chaya Praya river during the nighttime. Very nice it is, and well worth doing on the odd occasion if you fancy doing something 'fancy'.
On this occasion as I say there was a lot of building taking place. You can see from the video below I posted on youtube one of the activities. These guys winch up these huge heavy pipes and slam them into the wet earth, in order to ream out space for a permanent pipe, which they (presumably) use for pumping concrete into to make the foundations.
Far from moaning about the developments happening next door, they offer a great form of entertainment once you have had your fill of BBC World and various US News channels.
(pic above - I do feel sorry for the poor residents though) From observing the goings on from this fantastic birds eye view, it's clear that Thai's don't suffer the same health and safety restrictions as we do back in the UK (for better or worse). It was pretty alarming watching the going's on at times; it's clear that dreadful accidents can potentially happen almost anytime.
It always amazes me how a mud pit of a building site like this can develop so rapidly into a building of some scale. I counted around 20-30 workers, all scurrying around like ants performing various small tasks; these small tasks all gradually adding up, to what will eventually be a very well designed and built hotel I'm sure.
A Leo beer in one hand, I can quite happily take in the views and watch these guys for an hour or two. Of course if you are on hols and are on the look out for more 'leisurely pursuits' it's probably not your thing (and it is quite noisy as seen in the video) but, I would highly recommend a stay at the Riverside Bangkok (and a meal on the boat) in about six months time.
'I do feel sorry for the poor residents though'
I'm not sure if this is everywhere in Thailand, but a former landlady of mine said she received a fair bit of money when a building went up next to her house. Enough to do some serious spending (she wanted my help as I was happy to oblidge).
Thanks for the video. I've sent it to a friend of mine who recently moved back to Canada. She was living at Baan Yoswadi, across from where that great designers hotel, Reflections, used to be on Soi Ari. Where they are now building yet another condo complex: driving piles, banging, sawing, you know the drill.
Posted by: Catherine | May 19, 2009 at 02:25 AM
Iit did cross my mind that there was probably a financial incentive for the nearby residents, and good for them, I hope it is enough. Thailand is just developing everywhere isn't it, no matter where you go, buildings are springing up all over.
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | May 19, 2009 at 04:04 AM
Ben, great pictures and I always enjoy your post subjects , very informative and interesting to read. Malcolm.
Posted by: malcolm | May 19, 2009 at 05:45 AM
Cool thanks v much Malcolm!, Likewise - I enjoy reading your blog also, keep up the good work!
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | May 19, 2009 at 07:56 AM