Arriving in Bangkok, Walking Around

I've been looking forward to visiting Thailand for a long time and am finally there.  The country is a success story in Asia, with the world's 20th largest economy.  A strong industrial expansion and growing exports over the last few decades have made Thailand a strong power within the region.

I hop on TigerAir in Singapore for the flight to Bangkok and arrive at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport mid afternoon.  It's a quick ride on the Airport Rail Link train to the Phaya Thai station in town and then several stops on the elevated BTS Skytrain to my hotel. Along the way, I start to admire the lush tropical landscape and plantings.

Tropical landscape and plantings

Skytrain tracks and train

And, I start to see the Thai Tuk Tuks serving as taxis and stands.

 Tuk Tuks

I check in and wander out of my hotel and see wide, elevated walkways just under the Skytrain tracks, a great way to get off the street and to be sheltered from the sun and rain.  The walkways go down the middle of the streets and have exits directly into the buildings they pass.  From the walkways, I have great views of both sides of the street.

 Elevated, covered walkways, with direct entry to the buildings

 Views from the walkway

 Whimsical walkway panels

Just two blocks from my hotel, at the intersection of Ratchaprasong Road and Rama 1 Road, is the Erawan Shrine, a Hindu shrine with the statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai version of Lord Brahma, the Hindu god of creation.  The shrine is in the open air and features performance by resident dance troupes hired by the worshipers to help assure that their prayers at the shrine will be answered.

Erawan Shrine from the covered walkway

 Inside the Erawan Shrine

Dancers in the Erawan Shrine

My first day in Bangkok is coming to an end and I head back to the hotel to think about dinner and rest after the long trip from the US.  And, as the sun sets, I get a great view of the Bangkok skyline from the hotel.

 Bangkok at night