Entries Tagged 'Bangkok' ↓

No, it’s not a misplaced meal or a forgotten snack- the food on this plastic tray was very intentionally left on the sidewalk. Stemming from the same animist traditions that gave rise to Thailand’s ubiquitous Spirit Houses, this tray contains some of the local spirits’ favorite snacks: rice, a hard boiled egg, and some tasty Thai desserts.

Many visitors remark with amazement at the degree to which Bangkok seems to combine both the past and the future. This can be seen in the strange mix of revered temples and fashionable shopping malls, ancient spiritual practices and hi-tech transportation. And it can be seen quite literally in this corner of downtown Bangkok, where the friendly Robot building gazes out over the decaying ruins of a century old mansion.

One of the most appealing aspects of life in Thailand is the degree to which religion permeates everyday life. Shrines decked out in offerings are tucked between houses, on shelves in restaurants, and even on the dashboard of commuter buses.

Not content to have a simple market stand or a slow old pushcart, this fruit vendor has gone hi-tech. With a two-tier glass case affixed to the front of a powerful motorbike, he can jet across Bangkok to bring his customers their fruit.

Tourists who have delved into the mysteries of Bangkok a little too fully may wake up unable to remember what day of the week it is. Thankfully, they’ll never have trouble telling if it’s a Monday, thanks to the many yellow polo shirts they’ll encounter throughout the city. It’s not just a mass fashion statement, however. Under Buddhist cosmology, every day of the week is given a color. And Monday, whose color is yellow, was the day on which the King of Thailand was born. So to show their support of the beloved king, many Thais start the work week by donning their brightest yellow shirts.

Even though it might be a festival, you shouldn’t tell these girls waiting to be dunked that they should be having fun.

Durian season is fast approaching its end here in Bangkok. But before you rush out and get some to add to your fruit salad, consider a few things about this strange fruit. Though loved throughout Thailand and most of Southeast Asia, the durian has a flavor that most foreigners compare to turpentine and rotting garbage. And most significantly, it smells- so strongly that you can detect its presence long before you see it. Despite that, many people come to love it- its creamy texture, its complex taste. And hey, it’s great with coconut sticky rice.

One of the most distinctive features about Bangkok’s roads (aside from the congestion) is the multi colored taxis. Cabs come in almost every color, from bright pink to neon green to subdued shades of midnight blue. At the very least, it makes getting stuck in traffic a more colorful affair.

Spirit houses are an important site of devotion for any Thai home. When the spirit houses look run down, or a homeowner decides to go for a more glamorous model, the old spirit house can’t simply be thrown away. Instead, it must be taken to specific holy grounds- graveyards for spirit houses.

Don’t let the sight of green goo oozing out of your pastry make you lose your appetite- it’s just pandan cream. A tropical plant with long green leaves, pandan is used in Southeast Asia to flavor many different foods and drinks. Called ‘Thai vanilla’, it has a sweetness that lends itself particularly well to making desserts. One of the most popular uses in Bangkok is to make it into a rich green pandan custard, which can be eaten inside rolls (like in the above photo), or slathered over toasted white bread.