On a rainy Tuesday we set out, initially on foot, to take in the soggy sights of Bangkok. One of the first things you notice about this city is the abundance of boats — not only on the Chao Phraya River (also known as Red River) and the bay at the Gulf of Thailand if you make it out that far, but also on the many canals that serve as busy thoroughfares on the public transit system. As we paused by the river to admire the boats, a tour boat operator tried to hustle us. We suppose we might have felt cheated if he hadn’t.

Rainy day in Bangkok

Our ambling took us to the Grand Palace, which dates from 1782, when the country was known as Siam. The king and his family resided here until 1925; it’s still used for holding official events and for getting money out of tourists. The current king, who ascended the throne in 2019 was retroactively declared to have ascended in 2016, because evidently you can do that when you’re royalty. His name is Vajiralongkorn, which is short for Vajiralongkorn Boromchakrayadisorn Santatiwong Thewetthamrongsuboribal Abhikkunupakornmahitaladulyadej Bhumibolnaretwarangkun Kittisirisombunsawangwat Boromkhattiyarajakumarn. No, really. As in other monarchies, you see his face everywhere, including on currency. But the photo used appears to be a few decades old; the good king is now in his seventies.

Grand Palace Bangkok

Across the street from the palace, a few homeless people were encamped. And an even larger number of lottery vendors — a much larger number — had set up their tables. Lottery ticket sales are very popular in the city; or at least the vendors apparently hope they are, because you see these tables everywhere.

Our footsteps also took us past the Wat Mahannapharam, about 150 years old, and site of the first state school established in Bangkok. This temple is especially noted for its two golden Buddhas, one of which is actually made mostly of gold, and is 700 years old. Perhaps in commemoration of this duo, many shops in the area sell golden Buddhas in various sizes, some of them quite ornate and no doubt quite expensive. Outside the temple, we encountered a retired teacher who had spent time in the States, who noticed our conspicuous Americanness and wanted to chat.

Wat Mahannapharam

On our way back to our room, we caught the metro rail system. At the station was a system map with a sign denoting that “You aer here”. Inside the train was a sign notifying passengers that they were prohibited from bringing durian aboard. Durian is a fruit that many Asians love to eat, but it has a reputation for becoming unbearably odiferous after it gets overly ripe. Thus, if a piece of it fell down into a cranny, say behind a seat, it could really create some problems. In America, transit authorities would be concerned about guns; in Thailand, they’re concerned about stinky fruit.

All in all, a rather exhilarating rainy day in Bangkok.

5 Takeaways for Your Own Adventures

• Embrace the Weather: Rain or shine, explore your destination to experience its true essence and uncover unexpected delights.
• Be Open to Local Experiences: Engage with locals and immerse yourself in cultural traditions to enrich your travel experience.
• Visit Historic Landmarks: Discover the history and significance of landmarks to gain a deeper understanding of the place you’re visiting.
• Try Public Transit: Use local public transportation to navigate the city efficiently and see how residents live and travel.
• Stay Curious and Observant: Pay attention to small details and local peculiarities for a more authentic and memorable journey.

9/26/2022