Exploring Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market and Park

Bangkok has lots of markets, small and large, old and modern.  One of the largest is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, with around 15,000 separate stalls and 200,000 visitors each weekend day.  My first full day in Bangkok is a Saturday and I hop on the BTS Skytrain and head over to the Chatuchak Weekend Market early.  As I'm riding the train, I feel a tap-tap-tap on my shoulder and turn to see what's up.  A young woman is showing me that there is an empty seat on the train and I take it (I'm used to this in Asia - in  China, young people will get up and offer me their seat.  Ah, the benefits of some gray hair!).

 Approaching the market

I don't know how many pictures of market stalls I can show before I completely bore us all, but I'll fit a few in here.  It is fun to weave through the narrow aisles of the market and see everything that is for sale.

 Market stalls

And, of course, places to eat.

 Food stalls

 And, a whole section devoted to small galleries and art sales.

Art stalls

As I wander through the alleyways and streets, I repeat to myself, "keep to the left, look to the right." Thailand and Singapore both drive on the left side of the road (UK style) and one needs to be very careful crossing the street.  Also, outside the tourist area, people walk on the left side of the sidewalk and subway entrances/exits and, if I stick to the right side, there is potential for confusion and collision.

After an hour or so of weaving through the market, I emerge and cross the street to Chatuchak Park, one of the oldest public parks in Bangkok, roughly 1/3 square km (.1 square mile).  I wander through the park and admire the great plantings, lakes, and wide paths for walking.

 Lakes and walking paths

 Sculpture scattered through the park

 And, beautiful gardens

The park is a great contrast to the busy craziness of the weekend market across the street and provides lots of new finds and beautiful sites as I explore.  But, eventually, it's time to head back to the hotel (while keeping to the left) and think about plans for the afternoon.

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