08/08/08 Sathorn District

My sister called me the other and asked if I could meet her at the Sathorn District Office because Robert, her son is of age to make an official identification card. Although it would have been a busy day, I made arrangement to takeoff in the morning. Barring that nothing went wrong, this official task should have been completed by 10-10.30 the latest. I would have enough time to go to the office and be prepared for the judging.

So I went to the District Office, a new neighborhood for me. I
have past through this road a couple times, but it far and few in between. But this neighborhood seem very familiar to me because one of my ex-colleague lived in the area. I didn't know exactly where but some of the buildings were mentioned inhis conversations. I recognized the neighborhood.

I was early, so I took coffe in the store across the street. A typical store in a typical Thai neighborhood. Is there any charm in this neighborhood. Perhaps, but nothing like the neighborhood in
NYC. Nothing like Greennich Village. The closest neighborhood in NYC I canthink of is the Spanish Harlem, up at 135 street where I lived with Paul and Peter.

Then my sister called me to tell me that she's running late because she's forgotten the papers in her office. But she wasn't so far away that I wasn't worry. So I tookout my camera and walked the neighborhood. Explore a new neighborhood.










I found the neoghborhood interstingly bland. This is what I mean. Unless, I lived in the neighborhood, I wouldn't know anything about the neighborhood at all. The neighborhood has one small charm--the District garden. A small corner of green in a typiucally bland neighborhood.










Of course, I found the typical food store and some other stores. For a small neighborhood, I found it to have many hair salons. I didn't picturesof the hair salon except for this spa that advertise massages. It didn't look much of a spa, more like a neighborhood massage place.

I also found these BMA bikes parked outside the district office. They appear to be for rent. I see some people riding them around the district compound. I believe they belong to BMA and is for BMA workers to use. Well, this korning, nobody was using them.

Bangkok Culture and Art Centre

Bangkok has its first art centre. Its about time. Brand, spanking, new culture centre across MBK and Siam Discovery. This ensures pedestrian traffic like myself, who is just curious
of what's inside.

I came by on Sunday but my camera exhausted its battery. Boo hoo. SO I came back again today. My camera fully charged and raring to go. I get into the building and I find nothing but white space. These white spaces remind me of the Guggenheim Museum san paintings, of course.

WHile this museum is smaller in scale and does nothave the ramp in the cone architecture of the Guggenheim. Look at the spherical shapes and
one is remined of the Guggenheim. Although it been years, I always loved the Guggenheim because of the Picasso and other modern artist. And like all museum in New York, its veryinspiring. One day I will go back NYC, the love of my life, and visit the museums and all that I miss about that city.

During the weekend, there is suppose of be an art market outside the building. This would be a wonderful space to visit. But, today













there is nothing outside but dark clouds that look like rain. Well, it did rain, but whenI was about to get home so I able to take picture of the exterior of thebuilding. Also some other picturtres which will of another topic altogether.

The sad part of the whole excursion is that the building is so empty. The Emptiness wasn't so inspiring.

Indoor Arts

I went to the Bangkok Art Centre, the new building across from MBK with all the intention of taking photos. But when I got there, my battery died on me--so no new photos. So I'll be going back, perhaps tomorrow and take the photos I wanted.

The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre was commissioned by HRH Princess Sirindhorn, our beloved princess. And like her father, HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), is a "renaissance" person. She is adept in the Arts, Music, languages, literature,
etc. Thus, it's not surprising that building would be commissioned by her and on that spot, adjacent to of the 'young' scene--Siam.

What to do, what to. I taken hundred of photos recently so I went back and selected some recent pictures. These are pictures taken of indoor art exhibitions. The first four were taken a couple of weeks ago, indoor at Siam Paragon. The exhibition was a good one, basically a retrospective of modern art in Thailand with
narrative on the historical timeline.

One of these days, I ill trot down to the pier where the Art University--Silpkorn--and take a photography walk. Go and see the up and coming artists. I still have to go to Chiang Mai and select where I am going to retire. Enough of this long list of what to do.

I was experimenting with the family of elephants. I love elephants, actually animal figurines. And I am not quite sure if this
women figure is sleeping, lying down or standing. She must by lying down because she was displayed that way. Can you figure out the figure on the left. I looked and looked, and can't seem to figure it out. I guess its a women sitting in the rabbit pose but her arms are not stretched out in front. Yeah, yoga.

So these were pictures from a real art exhibition by real artist. You can see it when you see the flowing pictures. The photoof animal figurines which are meant for the garden. I think they are cute and lovely, but like garden gnome, its a matter of taste.


A family of pigs or a family of frog (or toads) for your garden? Including a fountain too. Very good for the feng shui.





If your building won't allow little pooches, how about the bronzies? Something to consider. . . .not.










Bronze musicians to serenade for your garden party?

Skywalk with a View

Looking through all my photos, I have a few photos of a different view. The following are photos of the skywalk at the Silom junction.

This the outdoor garden of Au Bon Pain at the Zuellig Building. Nice little niche between the cracks. I checked it out, small green hideaway in the middle of the business district. A place worth re-siting on the ground level.

I can't ait until I get my home situation sorted out. By then I will be inclined to go out on Saturday or Sunday afternoon with my trusty camera(s) to take pictures of my neighborhood.

Not very often I get to go to Silom area on the weekend--not even on the weekday to say the least. So I got on ground level and took some pictures of differnt things.

The Dusit Thani Hotel, the home of the 2005 Miss Universe Pageant. and the oldest fully Thai-owned and managed international chain of hotels. At any rate, back in the 70s, this building was the tallest building in Bangkok back then. Now, its a drawf among the skyscrappers mushrooming skyward in this city of Angels. Well, the landmark on the corner of central business district - Silom Road. A great spot, because it across from Lumpini Park. which is marked by the monument of King Vajiravudh or Rama VI. When I was growing up, this spot was as beautiful as it is at the present time.

Lumpini Park eill be another site where I should visit with my camera.
It's a lovely park and I should visit again, especially in the morning when people are out in droves, dancing tai chi, practice yoga, and floats through
the sound of music.

Before the construction of the 'Thai-Japanese' bridge, one would have a clear view of Rama VI statue. No roads, bridges or cars. Fortunately, I snapped a few photos and surreptitiously, caught one with cars or people. Unless you are standing in front of the statue, you can the statue through the tiers of road. An interest perspective, the roads create a frame for the picture, don't you think? When I was growing up, the monument was not crowded by the cluster of buildings on the background. There only a bunch of trees and green. It's very different now, forty years later. The
whole city have changed.

A similar perspective, but from another angle. The building the the
middle of it all. The BTS, the bridges and the roadway. Yes, I have to get out more. Cartoonize the picture and one might be able to imagine "The
Jettsons" sipping around the sky. The Jettson is one of my favorite futurist cartoon. They should be it back.

Bangkok at night

Bangkok is really beautiful atnight with its bright lights and night shopping. Once again, these are some pictures from the hearat of the city--the Gaysorn intersection.

On the left, its the Erawan shrine at night, taken from the BTS Skywalk. It's not as busy in the evening, but people still come and worship and ask forfavors from the holy idol. These is a perpetual rumor,that in the wee hours of the morning, sometimes, a dane troupe will be hired to dance 'au natural'. Sccording to P' Sue, she
denies the rumor but does implies that there is a videotape of such dance troupe.

And this is the other side ofthe skywalk. Central World, once known as World Trade. Once t was my big project which made me feel important. It was good while it lasted. And it completely different from what was envisioned back then.

I always liked the poster of the Burberry nstore. It's the nice
fashion style and fashion statement. So ehen I get a chance, I take a picture of it. One of these day, I'll have toline them up and see what th outvcomr will be.

I have to take more picture. I have to go to different places to take the photos. I have to take more pictures at night. I hae to do all of this to create more reportoire and more photo gallery for people to see.