"One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster . . . "
- Tim Rice, Benny Andersson, Bjoern K Ulvaeus; Chess
One night in Bangkok . . . is not enough!
The song from my early teenage years presented a visual that doesn't quite fit in today's Bangkok. Bangkok then was a pleasure palace of a place where any and all things could be found and done, including things one may not yet have dreamt up. It was a seedy, gritty, sexualized picture painted by the world as to what Bangkok represented. Today, it is different . . . yet the same.
Can you find anything in Bangkok? Yes, you can. You may have to look a bit harder than 30 plus years ago, but make no mistake all is available in Bangkok. So what's different - what has changed?
One night in Bangkok . . .
Nikon D750, Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 VC. Shot at 24mm, f/9, 1 sec., ISO200
Bangkok has cleaned up its act to a degree. There is a peace and acceptance about Bangkok now yielding safety for those who want to experience Bangkok, whatever those experiences may entail. One can walk at night from Soi to Soi easily and without much worry. Don't want the party district, that's fine - there now are heaps of clubs and lounges that cater to clientele of all walks of life offering any variety of music and drink. Bangkok no longer represents every horny boy's wanton dreams; rather, Bangkok has grown into a place offering different things for different people. Bangkok has replaced its old veneer with one appealing to most people. Bangkok grew up.
The bottom line, there is something for everyone . . . for anyone . . . at night within the metropolis that is Bangkok.
A thriving and vibrant Bangkok . . .
Nikon D750 with Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 VC lens; Shot at 55mm, f/5, 1/10, and ISO5000
My one night started very calmly.
Tea and a Bangkok Sunset at ViVi cafe across from Wat Arun.
Nikon D750 with Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 lens; Shot at 34mm, f/11, 1/640, ISO220
Across from Wat Arun (Temple of The Dawn), one of Bangkok's most celebrated temples, on the other side of the Chao Phraya River exists a cafe called ViVi that offers a beautiful view of the temple as well as a sunset. Usually a spectacular sight at sunrise, but also at sunset, Wat Arun was undergoing renovation this particular evening.
There is a zen like serenity that comes about sipping on a cup of tea, watching the water taxis power by, and seeing the colors come together as the sun sets. It really is the perfect way to start an evening!
Chinatown, Bangkok - all about the senses!
Nikon D750 with Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 lens; Shot at 52mm, f/11, 3 sec., ISO100
From ViVi, I took an Uber to Chinatown. Chinatown's main road in Bangkok is Yaowarat Road. It is chock full of shops, and at night rather spectacularly lit. Very much like Tokyo, Chinatown in Bangkok is all about the lights at night. It is a sight worth seeing not to mention experiencing.
Whilst there walking about, do make sure to try the street food. You won't find much better food for amazingly cheap prices in southeast Asia. The flavors, the spices, the sights and sounds, and the people comprise a culinary experience not soon forgotten. As the night wears on, more and more street vendors set up their shops and sell their food. With that, more and more people crowd the sidewalks and overflow onto the streets. Try everything and like much!
Check out the photos in the carousel below for some of the shots taken at night during my walkabout.
From Chinatown, I decided to head over to the Soi Cowboy area. Soi Cowboy is the infamous red light district in Bangkok. Yes, there are others, but this is the one that many refer to when talking about such districts in Bangkok. One can find about anything in Soi Cowboy. Want a beer? Sure - super cheap. Want some food? Yep - street styled food readily available inside a few shops, though not as good as some other places in Bangkok let alone Chinatown. Want companionship? Absolutely available - you can have as much as you want based on how much you want to spend. What kind of companionship and with whom? That's entirely up to your imagination and wallet. Everything is available . . . for a price.
Within Soi Cowboy I noticed a pretty extreme difference. On the one hand, there is a mass of tourists and expats, mostly men but also some women, from all over the world, walking, and in some cases stumbling about. And, on the other hand, there are the ladies and ladyboys of the night all vying for the tourists' attention and more importantly their money. Within the short walk that is Soi Cowboy, I felt so many different emotions. I was mesmerized by the lights, sounds, and smells. I laughed at some of the signs I read and further shocked by a few. A random stray cat caught my attention and happiness - he looked healthy and well fed. I felt saddened a bit by the crystal clear distinction between the haves and have-nots. I noticed a few ladyboys and wondered how difficult their lives must be above and beyond the typical workers within Soi Cowboy. And, I was put off a bit by some of the ugliness I saw or overheard from people walking or hanging out in Soi Cowboy.
Yes, in several hundred meters, Soi Cowboy has it all any way you want to measure it.
Uber is available in Bangkok; however, because of traffic, Uber is really if you have time to kill and you need some aircon!
Nikon D750 with Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 lens; Shot at 35mm, 1/160, f/4, and ISO100
From there, I continued my walk about now totaling 4 or 5 hours. Mind you, this walkabout took place on a weekday, but one might not have thought that looking at the traffic. That's the thing about Bangkok - the traffic. It cracks me up when people think that the traffic is bad in many parts of the world. Come over to Bangkok, and I'll show you traffic. One is almost faster walking than hopping into an Uber. Besides, you miss a lot when in a car as opposed to walking . . . the sights, the smells, the sounds, the feel, and the taste.
"One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster . . . "