A little bitty tear let me down...

Video by Michael LaPalme
Music by Burl Ives
 Bangkok, Thailand
2006

Views of Bangkok from The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

The The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) building is one of only a few tall buildings in this part of Bangkok. It offers beautiful views of a beautiful city. ESCAP's regional focus is managing globalization through programs in environmentally sustainable development, trade, and human rights. 

Looking towards Yaowaraj & Bang Rak

Monsoon Season

View looking West towards the Mae Nam Chao Phraya river

Looking over the 1st Royal Thai Army HQ, Banglampoo, Rattankosin and Siriraj hospital

Golden Mount with the skyline

View down Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue

Rain & Fog over the UNICC

View looking towards Bang Rak

ESCAP works to overcome some of the region's greatest challenges by providing results oriented projects, technical assistance and capacity building to member States in the following areas:

• Macroeconomic Policy and Development
• Trade and Investment
• Transport
• Social Development
• Environment and Sustainable Development
• Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction
• Statistics
• Sub-regional activities for development 

Source

Bangkok Shutdown 2014

Thai monk during his morning alms rounds on my street in Bangkok

As the political situation in Thailand continues to worsen it is unclear if and when the city will return to normal. Not all of Bangkok resembles a war zone... In neighborhoods outside of the protest areas life goes on as normal. People in Bangkok seem to be enjoying the lack of traffic and peace  on the city streets. The photo above was taken with my camera phone as I was out walking the dogs this past week.

Bangkok's Deviant Street Art

The first large-scale collaboration between Thailand and European street artists. Kilos of fresh paint have been applied all over the city transforming ordinarily drab city walls into something creative and magical.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

This was the first large-scale collaboration between Thailand and Europe in the field of street art.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

After just having returned from working in New York City I was disappointed to find that I had missed the Bukruk International Street Art Festival.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

Street art is visual art. It can be found in almost every city. I've noticed more and more fresh paint over the last decade.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

The term can include traditional graffiti artwork, sculpture, stencil graffiti, sticker art and other types of guerrilla artwork.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

For some it is difficult to distinguish between contemporary public-space artwork and that from graffiti and vandalism.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

A portion of Us and Them Mural in the back of Siam Square by Alex Face.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

The area from Siam Square to Rama 6 is actually quite large and if you do not know the exact location could lead to a lot of ground work too.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

I am not surprised that they used the old abandoned buildings at the front of the Petchaburi Soi 18 community along the Saen Saeb canal.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

From the 4 Headed Elephant bridge over Phaya Thai road come down the stairs next to the pier. From the pier you can see many different works on both sides of the canal.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

Viewing each piece from different angles and perspectives reveals hidden stories and meanings.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

These large pieces above are located in the city blocks directly next to the Saem Saeb canal & Ratchatewi BTS on the same side of Phaya Thai road as Siam Paragon.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

This neighborhood consisting of 3 and 4 story block apartments is what most of Bangkok looked like 20 to 30 years ago.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

I would not be surprised to see this stretch of land be developed as a condo, hotel or another fancy mall by the end of the next decade.

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

European artists (15):
Amandine Urruty & Nicolas Barrome: France / Low Bros: Germany / Hattie Stuart & Ben Eine: England / Ibie & San: Spain / Daan Botlek & Rick Hedof: Netherland / Akacorleone & Kruela Denfer: Portugal / Dem: Italy / Saddo: Romania / Bonom: Belgium

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

Thai artists (11):
Alex Face – Bon – Haritorn Akarapat – Kobby – Unchalee Anantawat – TRK – Mamafaka – P7 – Rukkit – Tawan Wattuya – Yuree Kensaku

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

http://bukruk.com/festival/about-the-festival/

Bangkok Street Art & Graffiti

The artwork is located in various spots around Pathumwan from Siam Square to Ratchatewi to Rama VI roads.

View Larger Map

พริตตี้ Women of the Bangkok Motor Expo

Motorshow Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ 
These types of automobile trade shows are well known for having scores of beautiful women working as presenters, dancers, models, saleswomen and show girls promoting the auto industry. The 2012 Thailand International Motor Expo held at the IMPACT arena in Bangkok seemed to trump previous events in size & scale. I spent a couple of hours at the event and am sharing some of the images here.

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

The Bangkok International Motor Expo 2012 at the IMPACT arena, in Pak Kret came to a close last weekend after a two week run.  The event is filled with beautiful models hired by the automobile & related companies jockeying for position on the arena floor.

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

There are usually a couple of these types every year alternating between the IMPACT Arena in Pak Kret and the BITEC Convention Centre in Bangna. 

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

Bangkok Motor Show Pretty มอเตอร์โชว์ พริตตี้ © 2012 Michael LaPalme

The size of this event is amazing with display booths taking up several of the large auditoriums at the arena. The entire show last around 10 days or so. Tickets could be purchased at the door for ฿100 or approximately $3.25 at the current exchange rate.