Got this rather handsome shot of part of the Bangkok skyline recently on a lovely Summers day, not a storm cloud in sight...
It makes me laugh looking at the lines of incoming traffic and spotting the dozen or so garish pink Taxi cars that make driving in Bangkok so much fun.... It's great when you have to pit your driving skills against Thailand's finest Taxi drivers, it really is a case of anything goes, he who dares wins. Driving in Bangkok is a sport, driven by sportsman... For example, when I badly cut up a Bangkok taxi driver, they hardly ever beep, shout or wave obscenities, as we probably would in the West... It's true. Largely, I guess they accept this as part of the game, and so, when they return the favour of slicing off the front of my car, I am now much better at accepting it as part of the game too.
I don't live in Bangkok, but I am often driving it, so I am slowly but surely getting to know it. Bangkok really is a bit of a hole, in places; but you get kinda used to it. It reminds me of the 'dog' in the timeless Samuel L Jackson quote in Pulp Fiction, when Jules says:
'I wouldn't go so far as to call a dog filthy, but, it's definitely dirty..... But..... a dog's got personality, and personality goes a long way'.
Anyway, for all you Farang Bangkokians (or anyone else who fancies a go), can any of you tell me anything about this rather interesting building on the left?
The winning answer will know its shape! and will receive a rather nice Thai dish...
'can any of you tell me anything about this rather interesting building on the left?'
Ah, that must be the Elephant Building...
Posted by: Catherine | July 21, 2009 at 10:23 AM
'The Elephant Building or Chang Building (Thai: ตึกช้าง) is a high-rise building located on Paholyothin Road & Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok, Thailand. It lies in the North Bangkok Business District and Chatuchak district. The building is one of the most famous buildings in Bangkok because it has the characteristics of an elephant. The building has 32 floors and is 102 meters (335ft.) high, it was completed in 1997.'
It's in my area.
Before I moved to Thailand, I would watch the Elephant Building from taxis with the curiousity of a tourist.
I still watch it from taxis but more on an, 'oh, so that's where I am' type of response.
Posted by: Catherine | July 21, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Ah ha! Well done Catherine - Eagle-eyed and a textbook answer! I don't think you can get anymore comprehensive an answer than that, and you held your own as a true Bangkokian (Bangkokonian) Which one is it? If either?? Anyway, well spotted....!
Posted by: The Thai Pirate | July 21, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Nice Bangkok shot! I was surprised to see no traffic.
Posted by: Natta | July 21, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Hey Natta - this shot was taken early on a Thursday lunchtime, hanging out of the Chula Hospital window... Maybe Thursday lunchtime is the best time to drive this part of Bangkok? Everyone is tucked away in parks and restaurants, having their dinner?
Maybe!
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | July 21, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Don't know about Bangkok, but theres a office block in Hong Kong with a bloody great hole in it. The story I got told was that there is a dragon asleep under the mountain there, and periodically he wakes up to drink from HK bay. So the designers left him a way through!
Posted by: Wotchit321 | July 21, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Sounds like you have an example of Eastern superstition meeting modern architecture! A sure winner with locals, and excellent BS for the developers... Beats boring old skyscrapers tho. Probably.
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | July 21, 2009 at 02:56 PM
'Bangkokian (Bangkokonian) Which one is it?'
Neither... :-D
I'm a perpetual tourist so... the city keeps its name intact?
Posted by: Catherine | July 22, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Strange, I asked a couple of people here and they said the same thing ... I'd have thought there was a term for people who live there ....?!>
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | July 22, 2009 at 12:52 AM
There's a term for you when you live there..........Kok
Posted by: theoldman | July 23, 2009 at 09:28 AM
My dad designed that building with the golden top and a few other BKK landmarks. <-- proud. :)
Posted by: oakley | July 26, 2009 at 08:17 PM
Wow. That's a nice claim to fame! (and a nice building)
Posted by: The Thai Pirate | July 27, 2009 at 12:48 AM