There was no reason to pass up Thailand when it was on the way. During my days in the Navy I didn't get to make it to Bangkok but this time, with Janet and I in that part of the world, we had our chance and took it. We had our choice of cities to fly out of on the way back to the U.S. Having seen Singapore, not wanting to see Toyko and never been to Bangkok, that was our choice.
Bangkok seems to me to be caught between the old and the new. Many things are up-to-date, especially the department stores, overhead rail system and hotels but step out into the street and you have stepped back thirty years.
Watch out for the scotters on the the sidewalk. This was new, even in Bali this didn't happen. This was the first thing we were warned about when we entered the country.
Our hotel in Bangkok. Siam's name was changed to Thailand in 1939.
Siam City Hotel Doorman
One of the several big fancy departments stores downtown.
Thai Baht exchange was 32.00 to 1.00 US and living was easy. For the US traveler, goods and services were a good deal but nowhere as good as Bali.
The King of Siam.
His likeness was on every street corner it seemed. Thailand has a constitutional monarchy with King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth king of the House of Chakri, who has reigned since 1946, making him the world's longest-serving current head of state and the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history.
The Bangkok Flower Market. A very busy place and covered about two blocks
Flower market delivery.
Flowers were sold on the streets all over town.
Walking thru the park, this imposing statue commands the entrance.
Some sort of religious event was being held the day we walked downtown.
We had lunch in this huge outdoor covered area and a TV show was being filmed at the same time. This was a contest between three group of dancers sort of like Dancing with the Stars.
One night we took a fancy dinner cruise on the river. The boat went up and down the river that ran through town, going by many temples and monarch palaces. Saw the King's Royal Barge (like a large canoe) powered by 32 oarsmen and only used on the King's birthday.
These two pictures are of the entertainment for the dinner on the river cruise.
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