Bangkok is a
colourful modern city, it is also overcrowded and hectic. From
the right angle it has some impressive buildings. Unfortunately
there are also many half finished buildings: the government being
fairly corrupt means that bribing officials seems to be the best
way to get your planning application accepted. Unfortunately
the money often runs out with the building still looking like
a concrete layer cake. The Bayoke tower (the tall building in
the picture on the right) is Thailand's tallest building. We
took a ride to the top from where there are spectacular views.
Unfortunately it was also swaying in the wind
so we ended up feeling a bit skyscraper sick after a while.
The quickest way to get around is by
motor cycle, you sit pillion behind a Thai driver who then skips
in and out of the traffic (see picture left). It is best to remember
that he has been doing this for years and would like to remain
alive and get payed! Often he would drive through gaps which
weren't big enough to fit Geri Halliwell through, let alone me
on the back of a motorcycle. In the background you can see one
of the legendary 'Tuk Tuk' auto rickshaws. These 3 wheel vehicles
are to be avoided at all costs due to the unscrupulous nature
of their drivers. You can also see the swish modern Skytrain
going above the road. Running like clockwork it's a transport
service any city would be proud of.
The picture on the right was taken in
a taxi, the view reminded me of the film Bladerunner (imagine
a train going across the bridge at the top), with the roads going
up and down in all directions. Bangkok does look at times like
a science fiction city 
with
it's many weird and wonderful concrete structures such as the
bridge behind me in the picture left. You can see there is only
one pillar with the bridge suspended by cables hanging down.
The beer I'm holding is called Singha which is the 'classy' Thai
brew. The other, beer Chang, is the most popular with the Thai
people but has a reputation for possibly having additives such
as Formaldehyde. Certainly it is best taken with caution as it
is of variable strength.
You cannot avoid the King of Thailand in the country. He lives in the imaginatively named 'Grand Palace' (see right). The King is very popular in Thailand with his picture in many shops. He, and his ancestors, have done many great things for the country (including avoiding colonisation by western powers).