King Rama the First

Crossing the Chao Phrya River via the Memorial Bridge in to China Town you come upon a large plaza with a massive statue dedicated to King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, or Rama I. He took the thrown of Siam in 1782 after political unrest removed King Taksin of Thonburi (you can view a photo of King Taksin's momument in Wongwian Yai here). Rama I is the first king in the house of Chakri, and reigned until his death in 1809.

The plaza is a peaceful break from the surrounding Pak Klong Flower markets, which are beautiful but rather busy.  I stumbled upon this plaza last night.  The statue itself is impressive in size, and I really liked the way the plaza is illuminated at night.  It was nice to practice taking photos at nighttime here.  

Chinatown, Bangkok

I took a stroll through the flower market in Chinatown last night and grabbed a few photos.  Absolutely love this area, and with it being right across the river from me I think I will be spending more time here.  Double click for full size.

Silom Bangkok

A few photos I snapped wandering around the Sala Daeng and Silom Market area. Double click for full size.  

Wongwian Yai

Wongwian Yai is the last stop of the sky train on the west side of the river here in Bangkok.  It was long a quiet Bangkok suburb filled with day laborers and fisherman due to it's close proximity to the Chao Phrya River.  With the incorporation in to Bangkok and the arrival of the sky train station, Wongwian Yai is exploding with development.  Now there is this this really explicit and visible economic disparity popping up here.  Luxurious high rises are being built to accommodate the new upper class city workers moving in to the area who use the sky train to commute every day. Meanwhile families who have lived here for decades are staying put in their traditional homes while their backyards now face concrete walls and glass.  There is also the influx of migrant workers who are building the new condominiums and office buildings.  These people often live ("squat") in the very buildings they are working on tearing down to make room for the new condos they will they be building.  So, Wongwian Yai has turned in to this wild mix of Burmese immigrants, upper class financiers, and traditional market families all living in one place.  My apartment is located right at the entrance to the sky train with the "village" behind me.  I went for a walk around the area the other day and snapped a few pictures.  I was being a bit lazy so they aren't the best, but I think a couple are interesting.  Double click to enlarge. 

Monument of King Taksin The Great in the center of Wongwian Yai Circle