Bangkok City is vibrant and everything about it is X-large.
The city's malls are many and big too.
So a walk around the city centre saw us entering malls after mall; the most popular of which include the MBK, Siam Tower, Siam Paragon and the like.
From a point all you see are signs of malls; the streets are not enough...
Doesn't this remind you of the Paragon in Singapore?
Not China World but Central World which opens to a gallery of shopping housing Zen, Isetan...just like our very own Pavillion, Lot 10.
Siam Discovery all along the same road; just like Orchard Road of Singapore.
These features caught dad's attention as containers are turned into shopping lots.
Inside the malls, layouts are as contemporary as the season is.
The selections are almost similar to the ones back home with tastes suited to local aspirations.Otherwise, whether you are in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and the cities of this part of the world, you will find the goods wearable and suitable. The prices are just as contemporary; no more haggling and fixed.
Just below an overhead walkway and opposite the shopping malls, are rows and rows of street stalls offering products you find along China Town. A city of 10 million, Bangkok has the purchasing power from its local population. Ake told us that all consumer products are made locally and branded labels are factory produced here before being marketed to the US and other European counterparts.So, you may just spot some of these branded stuff along the streets !
When evenings arrive, the stalls automatically mushroom along the street and throngs of people appear from nowhere. Buying seems unending and the demand endless.The Thais are everywhere; do they need tourists to buy? So you get smoked too by the crowd!
Every nook and corner seems occupied and suitable for use; especially for the food business. You get enthralled by the mere number of people. I was told that high rise buildings are only allowed in the city proper; the outskirts are forbidden to have buildings of a certain height.
So I wonder where these people reside.
The MBK of Bangkok is equivalent to our Berjaya Square and Sungei Wang Plaza where goods are commonly purchases at affordable prices; with a cost of course ! Some are imitation ones. The label conscious ones will not get their items here willingly.
In the city we saw something unique. The railways and walkways are constructed on top of one another to save city space. The first 2 levels are for out going and in coming tracks whereas the third level is used as pedestrian walkways. The pedestrians are spoilt for ease and space. So they become safe havens for the folks on their feet.So refreshingly different from the ones back home.
When you look down, you see the busy streets and the vendors again.
Dad used to remember the traffic woes some 20 years ago; apparently though busy, the traffic has improved from before; a good sign. Ake reminded us to only hail taxis that are yellow and green in colour because they are privately owned and so we will have better deals.
Admidst the busyness of life and its endless activities, many Thais have not forgotten their first duty ; to go to school. From this frantic advertisement and the way it is run, I can feel the urgency the Thais have where education is concerned.
Tuition centres are stringed right in the heart of the city to cater to the needs of students.A story was told that many thronged straight to tuition after school hours for further coaching.
I peeped in and saw students lining up for turns.
The tuition business is just as robust as the ones back home; maybe even more. The Thais are not resting on their laurels; they know when and what to do first and try their best. They are a hardworking lot and strive to do well.
No comments:
Post a Comment