Aladdin's adventure with Bangkok Photgraphers - Street Shooting and Night Photography Excursion to Klong Lord Market

Aladdin's adventure in FUNKY TOWN/ Bangkok

Street Shooting and Night Photography Excursion to Klong Lord Market

Saturday 19^th of May 2012 and I left to look for a taxi 3 thirty something. We will meet at Royal Hotel at Ratchadamnoen in Banglamphu at 5 and as I'm not 100% sure where the hotel is I decided to leave early.

I'm pretty sure that I will find the hotel. It is just at the beginning of the Ratchadamnoen Road. No problem, I can walk around exploring the area. I'm especially interested in Tanon Tanao to see what's going on there now a day. 25 years ago the road was lined with bars and discos for the young and beautiful Thai people and Aladdin. Those places have been closed for many years now and the crowd have moved over towards Khaosan on the other side of Ratchadamnoen Road.

The motorcycle taxi driver on the Soi stopped me and he asked if I could take a picture of him.
- NO PROBLEM!
I took the picture and I continued my search for a taxi. I passed the Banana Leaf Kitchen and one of the Cooks was sitting outside preparing some food. She is cute when she is smiling and laughing, well, she is always smiling and this is an excellent way to start my street shooting adventure.

I'm passing the Banana Leaf Kitchen

I'm passing the Banana Leaf Kitchen

I'm passing the Banana Leaf Kitchen

I arrived to the Royal Hotel quarter past 4 and there were no sign off the other members of Bangkok Photographers so I walked to 7 Eleven and I bought a bottle of water and a Minute Maid.

I had planned to have a pot of tea at Royal Hotel, but they were redecorating the lobby and I decided to skip the tea. So I went to 7 Eleven.

I finished my Minute Maid while taking a few pictures of the area. Then I brought my bottle of water and I walked up the Ratchadamnoen Road until I reached Tanon Tanao. All the bars are gone and I started to walk back down the Ratchadamnoen Road. I passed a small Soi and I turned in on the Soi. There were a few restaurants and bars, among them a gallery & bar. I think I have been at the place more than 10 years ago. Is it possible that it is the same place?

I made some mental notes of place to visit when I was in the area drinking beer. I was especially interested in the gallery/ pub/ restaurant

No sign of any members of Bangkok Photographers at Royal Hotel when I was back so I walked down Atsadang Road and when I came back to Royal Hotel the Organisers stepped out of a taxi and we went inside to the coffee shop to wait for the other people.

View from 7 Eleven at Atsadang Road

Atsadang Road - View from Royal Hotel

Atsadang Road - View from Royal Hotel

I had time to go out to take some pictures while we were waiting

People were soon dropping in to the coffee shop and I ended up with a Pilipino girl and a girl from Australia. A Thai girl arrived to our table, obviously a friend of the Filipina and they left for another table. Aladdin scared them away? I don't know, but they were for sure looking relieved when they left me behind.

So I was alone with the girl from Australia and she was very nice to talk to. Yeah, Australians are usually nice to be with.

Time turned quarter past 5 and no sign off us to leave. The organiser told us that the market didn't start until 6 so we had plenty time. There were not many of us at 5 o'clock, the time we were supposed to meet.

The Australian girl told me that it was Saturday night and we had other stuff to do than to sitt around waiting for people. I agreed, if it is 5 o'clock it is 5 o'clock and when the clock turned 5 thirty we were still waiting for people.

By now I had finished a big pot of tea and I was not looking forward running around a market in need of a piss. If there is any toilets they tends to be a wee bit nasty, not a place you want to visit, at least not when sober.

There were still someone missing at 6 o'clock but we left for the Klong Lord Market. I thought it was a long walk, but it turned out to be just across the Atsadang Road and the Klong Lord. Yes, Klong is Canal in Thai and the canal outside the Royal hotel

Khlong Lord,

sometimes also written as Khlong Lod, is the innermost of the three rings of canals that were carved to demarcate the medieval city of Bangkok. Khlong Lord forms the eastern boundary of Rattanakosin. It starts at where the Somdet Phra Pin Klao Bridge is today, follows Thanon Chao Fa southwards.

For much of its course, Khlong Lord is bordered by Thanon Rachini on the west side and Thanon Atsadang on the east side. It empties into the Chao Phraya River again near the Rachini Pier. Today, the canal is visible only until the junction of Thanon Ratchadamnoen Klang, after which is has been filled up.

was the Klong Lord. I had no clue so it is amazing what you can learn on a Saturday night on town taking pictures.

Well, anyway, we left the hotel and we crossed the Atsadang Road and I walked down the road until I reached the last bridge over Klong Lord to reach the market.

The were selling Thai Buddha amulets along Atsadang Road/ Klong Lord

The were selling Thai Buddha amulets along Atsadang Road/ Klong Lord

Selling candy on the bridge over Klong Lord

Selling candy on the bridge over Klong Lord

Selling candy on the bridge over Klong Lord

Preparing for his sale of fishes

Waterfront dwelling at Klong Lord Market

Waterfront dwelling at Klong Lord Market

Our friend from the Philippines taking a picture

Entrance to the city pillar shrine at Na Hap Phoei

Entrance to the city pillar shrine at Na Hap Phoei - Office of the Attorney General in the back

The Bangkok City Pillar Shrine (local Thai people called Lak Muang)

is very close to the Grand Palace Complex on the North East Conner outside the Complex. The city pillar shrine was the first building of the capital city (Just before the Grand Palace). The city pillar was first built on Sunday the 21st of April 1782 at 6:45 am by the order of the King Rama I. The city pillar made from laburnum wood and adorned with heartwood. The head of the pillar is a pointed tip decorated with shellac and gold leaves. The birth certificate of Bangkok city is inside. City Pillar was rebuilt again with new city birth certificate on gold bar of one Baht of weight (around 15 g.) by the order of the King Rama IV to improve the city fortunes. So there are two city pillars in the shrine.

In 1982, the shrine building was rebuilt to celebrate the 200th aniversary of Bangkok City. Next to the city pillar, there is a shrine for the city guardian gods who protect the city from bad things. Many Thai people believe that visiting the City Pillar shrine can bring good luck and discard bad luck.

From www.thailandtravelspot.com

Back at the city pillar shrine at Na Hap Phoei when it was dark

Back at the city pillar shrine at Na Hap Phoei when it was dark

Wat Phra Kaew - Temple of the Emerald Buddha taken from the corner of Na Hap Phoei & Ratchadamnoen Nai

Wat Phra Kaew - Temple of the Emerald Buddha taken from the corner of Na Hap Phoei & Ratchadamnoen Nai

The Wat Phra Kaew

(Thai: วัดพระแก้ว, RTGS: Wat Phra Kaeo, IPA: [wát pʰráʔ kɛ̂ːw], Pronunciation, English: Temple of the Emerald Buddha; full official name Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, Thai: วัดพระศรีรัตนศาสดาราม, IPA: [wát pʰráʔ sǐː rát.ta.náʔ sàːt.sa.daː.raːm]) is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple (wat) in Thailand. It is a "potent religio-political symbol and the palladium [safeguard] of Thai society". It is located in the historic centre of Bangkok (district Phra Nakhon), within the precincts of the Grand Palace.

The main building is the central ubosoth, which houses the statue of Emerald Buddha. The legendary history of this Buddha image is traced to India, five centuries after the Lord Buddha attained Nirvana, till it was finally enshrined in Bangkok at the Wat Phra Kaew temple in 1782 during Rama I's reign (1782–1809). This marked the beginning and raise of the Chakri Dynasty of the present Kingdom of Thailand (the present head of the dynasty is King Rama IX.) The Emerald Buddha, a dark green statue, is in a standing form, about 66 centimetres (26 in) tall, carved from a single jade stone (Emerald in Thai means deep green colour and not the specific stone). It is carved in the meditating posture in the style of the Lanna school of the northern Thailand. Except for the Thai King, no other person is allowed to touch the statue. The King changes the cloak around the statue three times a year, corresponding to the summer, winter, and rainy seasons, an important ritual performed to usher good fortune to the country during each season.

While legend traces this statue to India, its rich historical records dates its finding in Cambodia in the 15th century, moved to Laos in the 16th century and then to Vientiane where it remained for 215 years, and finally to Thailand in the 18th century. Considering the long history and Nagasena's (a Brahmin who became a Buddhist sage and lived about 150 BC) prophesy that the Emerald Buddha would bring "prosperity and pre-eminence to each country in which it resides", the Emerald Buddha deified in the Wat Phra Kaew is deeply revered and venerated in Thailand as the protector of the country.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wat Phra Kaew - Temple of the Emerald Buddha after dark taken from the corner of Na Hap Phoei & Ratchadamnoen Nai

Kites at Sanam Luang across Ratchadamnoen Nai

Selling stuff along Na Hap Phoei

Selling refreshments on Na Hap Phoei

Real gold??

Our Organiser with a fellow photographer

Selling colourful snacks

Selling colourful snacks

Klong Lord Market

When we came to the market just after 6 it was almost empty. 1 hour later there were stalls all over the place.

I stop to buy shore strings

I stop to buy shore strings

I have always liked colourful clothes and I have been pestered about my clothes the last 30 years. And now it is the latest to be colourful.

Yeah, what a surprise. A stall with mobile phone accessories

Royal Hotel after dark

Royal Hotel after dark

Phra Pin-Klao Bridge

Something along Klong Lord

Something along Klong Lord

I don't understand these people. I blame it on the education, and of course poverty. If you wake up hungry your priorities are not the keep our globe clean. But it goes for pretty much poor as well for the rich, no concern what so ever about the environment. Of course, you can see garbage laying around in Europe. But Thailand and Philippines, beautiful countries filled with garbage. I have seen beautiful rivers on the Philippines running through a beautiful landscape filled with garbage.

Bangkok would be very beautiful if they could clean up the Canals and the city from all the garbage lying around. They had a law, 2000 Baht fine for littering. ON SUKHUMVIT, only to rip off tourists. No one else gives a flying foock. And yes, they all want to have babies, but they don't care what they left behind for the babies when they have grown up

Selling Thai Buddha amulets

Klong Lord market

Klong Lord market

I don't know what this is

I don't know what this is

Plenty food everywhere to buy in Bangkok

Plenty food everywhere to buy in Bangkok

Plenty food everywhere to buy in Bangkok

And no, you will never see me eating along the roads in Thailand, at least not when I'm sober. I have seen when they clean the dishes along Sukhumvit Road, the water is grey and that is not ( Hopefully) from the food. Birds jumping around in the food. And you know birds, it is like a open water tap at the rear end of them.
- DON'T YOU EAT STREET FOOD IN THAILAND!!?? ARE YOU CRAZY??!!
- No, I don't eat food along the street!
- IT IS SO GOOD!!!! AND DELICIOUS!!
- OK, they work for a full day. Where is the toilet and where do they wash their hands?
- You cannot think like that!
- Oh yes, I can. And the birds and rats running around in the food.

Colourful shoes

And colourful bags

Bangkok Photographers at Klong Lord Market

Selling something to drink?

Selling something to drink?

Selling something along Na Hap Phoei

I don't know how to say this without sounding like an, well, who the is coming up with an idea to sell stuff like this.
I can't even in my wildest fantasy imagine anyone wanting to buy this stuff.

Tattoo shop at Na Hap Phoei

Selling candy

More stalls with refreshments

More stalls with refreshments

More stalls with mobile phone accessories

More stalls with mobile phone accessories

Here they are making mobile phone accessories

Back at the candy stall on the bridge after dark

Klong Lord

Bridge over Klong Lord

Bridge over Klong Lord

Bridge over Klong Lord

Klong Lord

The were selling Thai Buddha amulets along Atsadang Road/ Klong Lord

The sell everything along Atsadang Road/ Klong Lord

Klong Lord Market

Klong Lord Market - Along Ratchadamnoen Nai Road

Wat Phra Kaew - Temple of the Emerald Buddha at the end of Ratchadamnoen Nai Road

Selling food along Ratchadamnoen Nai Road

Selling food along Ratchadamnoen Nai Road

Selling food along Ratchadamnoen Nai Road

Selling food along Ratchadamnoen Nai Road

Selling food along Ratchadamnoen Nai Road

She is getting her ear pierced

She is getting her ear pierced

She is getting her ear pierced

She is getting her ear pierced

She is getting her ear pierced

She is getting her ear pierced

I think this is the Ministry of Defense

Girls from Sukhumvit Road Soi 71 is here to buy shoes

Girls from Sukhumvit Road Soi 71 is here to buy shoes

Girls from Sukhumvit Road Soi 71 is here to buy shoes

Girls from Sukhumvit Road Soi 71 is here to buy shoes

I had been at the market for about one hour when I could feel some rain drops. The sky turned black with strong winds. All the Thai people said that it would start to rain and they prepared the stalls for the rain. I was disappointed, I didn't want to go home. But I was lucky and it was only a few drops that felt on us. I spent 6 hours in Banglamphu and I walked back towards Ratchadamnoen to look for a taxi.

I needed a piss but I wanted to go check out Phra Nakorn Bar & Gallery before I left. So I walked down to the place and I stepped inside and I ordered a soda water.

The 2 Owners of the bar was behind the bar counter and they were eating something from an electric pot they had cooking on the bar counter.
- Have some food!
- No thanks' I'm on diet

It was very friendly people and we had a good laugh and every time there was a girls coming in that they knew they screamed at them: “HELLO! This is Aladdin and he is single” Well, this is it, I asked for the bill and I paid my soda water.

But they didn't want to let me go. Soda water on the house and I stayed for yet another soda water. To say no was not an option even though I was about to piss my pants. They asked why I didn't drank beer and I told them that I was on diet. But I told them that I would be back in 2 weeks for a few beers. And I really hope that they are as friendly experiencing the transformation from Charisma Man to “OBNOXIOUS MAN”

I asked how old the people were coming to his place and he told me thatthey were everyting from 20 to 50 and there were usually much people on a Saturday night. But now they had a RED SHIRT meeting at Ratchaprasong so he thought that people thought they were closed or that it was trouble getting through Bangkok on the roads. Well, maybe they should have RED SHIRT protests every Saturday so the pubs and clubs wouldn't have too much people.

I left after 2 soda waters even though I wanted to stay, hell yes, I even wanted to stay for a few beers. But I have to get up tomorrow to get to the Royal Thai Navy shooting range in Bang Na. And I think we have had enough picture on this page already so we make a new page about Aladdin's adventure at Royal Thai Navy's shooting range and this will be fun, so hang on!


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OK, it has come to my knowledge that we have senior citizens visiting my web page. How hard can it be? So it's not very easy for them to see the blue coloured links to the next page. So

Jiffy (also jiff)

noun [in SING.] informal a moment: we'll be back in a jiffy.

ORIGIN late 18th cent.: of unknown origin.

So as you understand, in a jiff pretty much depends on your internet.

I put a “Next” button here and I hope that there isn't any problem to understand how to use that one.
So just CLICK the “Next” button on your left hand side and you will be on the next page in a jiff!

Marunong ka mag-tagalog? Walang problema! Magpunta sa kabilang pahina pindutin ang “NEXT” button sa itaas

Faites vous parlez le français? Pas de problème! Pour arriver à la page suivante faites s'il vous plaît un déclic le bouton “Next” ci-dessus!

Haga usted dice el español? No hay problema! Ver la siguiente página sólo hacer clic el botón “Next” encima!

Farla parla l'italiano? Non problemi! Per vedere la prossima pagina lo scatto per favore giusto Il bottone “Next” sopra

Sprechen sie Deutsch! Kein problem! Wenn Sie die folgende Seite sehen wollen gerade klicken der Knopf “Next” oben!

คุณพูดภาษาไทยได้ไหม ไม่มีปัญหา ถ้าคุณต้องการไปหน้าถัดไป ให้กดปุ่ม “Next” ข้างบนนี้

Вы говорите по-русски? NJET PROBLEMA! Просто нажмите синюю кнопку "Next" с левой стороны и Вы моментально переместитесь на следующую страницу!

E ni Svenskar och inte förstår Engelska så ska ni skämmas. J och Björn, med det menar jag inte att alla mina stavfel ska ältas varje gång vi träffas.

Well, the flag of Skåne, just a BONUS flag.



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