Thailand – Bangkok – Last days

This is the last post for Thailand, we are off to cooler climes in……Taiwan!

While we have been in Bangkok, we have visited various museums. The overriding theme seems to be how wonderful Monarchy is and how it has made Thailand great! This has annoyed a few of our hosts because they do not mention ordinary people but, as there is legislation that reads as follows: “Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years.” Very few say anything publicly. Although the Thai King has very few powers now, he is still the head of the armed forces, very wealthy and seems to have sway with the government. He also seems to live in Germany!

There are pictures of the Royals on every building, presumably to remind people what they look like!

The Siam Museum does a sterling job of trying to define Thai-ness. The National Museum goes to show what a melting pot of different people’s have influenced Thailand. The Monarchy starting with Rama I (1782 Chakri dynasty) do seem to have unified the country. Each Rama has put their stamp on their reign. Rama VIII is a complete (murder?) mystery and not mentioned at all! Rama IX seems to have been adored by all Thai people and really to have put Thailand forward as a developed Nation.

One museum of the “Royalty-Is-Great” faction,  gave us a private tour (there were no other customers). The guides bowed when some of the videos mentioned the Royal family, it was very peculiar!

We visited the Royal Barge Museum and that was a bit different, showcasing the processional barges that are used on the rivers, of which there are many.

At the National Museum we saw a lot (and I mean a lot) of Buddha Statues, showing the differing styles of various times in history or places. I do wonder what Gautama Buddha would have made of all the fuss! I don’t think I want to see another Buddha for a long time!

Enough of museums…… Tatajana had her last massage and I got a hair cut! With some trepidation I went to a hair dresser, not a barber. The latter according to my friend Clare cut your hair really well and do very their best to make you look like a man! Anyway I found a woman who cuts women’s hair and came out looking like I will join the army very soon! Oh well it’s cooler and easy to manage.

We have enjoyed Thailand, except for the heat! Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam were on our list of places to visit but, the air quality and the heat in those countries is too much at this time of year! Maybe we’ll come back another time.

We’ve enjoyed the food very much and above is another version of the little wraps that we had (in leaves) before and this time in lotus petals!

Next Taiwan!