A Day Out Near the River

Boat on the Cho Pra River.

I awoke at early to get Mika off to school. My prospect was for a quiet day at home, or a least sticking around the neighborhood.
By the time 10 o'clock had arrived, I decided something else was needed. I pondered my options for a while, and chose a trip down to the Cho Pra River.
I pulled my camera from my bag, checked the battery strength etc and readied myself for my unplanned adventure.
Leaving home with a spring in my step. Though this was to be very short lived. About half way to the BTS station, I realized I had forgotten my wallet. Well, I couldn't get far without any money, so back to the apartment I went. Wallet in pocket, and iPod for some tunes, I set off again.

The BTS Network

The transport for this trip would be Bangkok's elevated rail system, the BTS, From Thong Lo to Siam, the main interchange. The train was not very crowded but didn't get a seat. The next stage from Siam was more crowed, but managed to get seat after 2 stops.
I normally don't travel on this line very much. I tried to look out the window at the passing sights. Below we passed several of the protest camps that have congregated at some of the major intersections. Being elevated, travelers can safely travel over these areas.
As we passed Lumphini Park you can a sea of tents fills it's grounds. More protesters hunkered down for long term.
My plan, or what there was of a plan, was to get out at Krung Thon Buri Station. I had never been this far on this line before. Something new and exciting?
Upon arrival, I noticed the station was further from river than I had anticipated. No problems, just get off, down the stairs and back up on other platform. A short ride back to Saphan Taksin station.
This station must be the narrowest platformed station on the network. Trains travelling both directs use the same platform. It has been squeezed into the space between the on and off ramps of the bridge that crosses the river. Could use a bit more lighting. Very dark and dingy!

Incomplete, deserted Building

Just off the train, looking across the urban vista from the raised platform, I sighted an high rise building. Very large, and very incomplete and very deserted. Situated in an area with new gleaming towers, I wondered what had happened? The evaporation of funds during the construction boom a few years back, no doubt. Strange to see such money and time wasted, to only have an eyesore for the city.













Down the stairs, along a bit, and turn right. Surprise, surprise. A white and gleaming gold temple. Don't see many of them in Thailand. (NOT)

Wat Yannawa. It's grounds almost deserted, I took a stroll winding through the shrines.
About halfway through, towards the river, was a large concrete barge. Decorated with 2 large white stupa. In front, a statue, I presume be the King. Nothing around to explain the significance. Due to space limitations, I wasn't able to get a decent photo. Just could get back far enough to get it all in the shot.
While strolling, I managed to find myself in the Monk boarding area. Most just smiled. Trying to find my out, an older Monk came over and spoke to me in English. "Where are you from?" he asked. I told him Australia, and he informed me that he has a brother living in Sydney. It seems most Thai families have somebody living in Australia. Small world I say. Anyway, after a short conversation, he put me back on track for the exit.

Wat Yannawa, Concrete Barge

Prime Real Estate

More walking.
Up a side path along a canal. I thought this may lead me back to the river. My passage took me past several stray dogs. Looking poor, covered with mange, a sad sight. When passing them, they shot off with a growl and bark.
This path proved to a dead-end.It did get me back to the river, where I saw a shack. Seems the local want river side property also.

Wat Suthiwaram. Very grand a majestic. Might not be all that big, but the temple stonework and ornaments were first class.

Wat Suthiwara

Wat Suthiwara

A huge hotel complex, the Chatrium Hotel Riverside, came into view as I turned a corner. I was still trying to get back to the river. I mean, after all, this was to be a "Trip Near The River". Just as I was entering the long drive to the main building, a local man approached. He asked what I was looking for. A way to the river. He told me no, and took me to his taxi in the hope of landing a tourist fare. Sorry, no way.
Back to walking.

Wat Ratchasingkhon. Through another temple I found the local pier. The Temple was very basic and no worth the time or the pictures I'm afraid.
Finally!
Found the river.
Not very picturesque, but found the savoir for my worn out legs. Boat ride back to the BTS Station. 15 baht. Not bad. At least I had a seat.

The Boat. Not very full.

Decided I needed to do a bit of shopping. I would be almost passing MBK, so decission made for me.
The BTS back to National Stadium.

Photo of Tent City at National Stadium.

The protest camp here is full of small tents. pile, huge piles of water for the people. The PA speakers blaring with never ending Thai. Some political speech, no doubt. From some angles, look more like a party than a protest.

Feeling a bit on the hungry side. Stopped for a Caesar Salad and pasta. The beauty of Bangkok. All the foods from all over the world in one location.

Fought through the crowds and completed my shopping in record time. Successful mission. BTS back to home and finally flop into my chair.

I might not have a achieved too much, but still an enjoyable day. Always something to see and do it this great city.

Join me, by putting some comments below, or just come back for my next ramble.

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Reporting 90 Day Stay During the Protests.

Haven't made any entries to my Ramblings for a while. So, my first for 2014 will be the adventure to apply for my daughter's 90 Day Report for staying in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Usually, I complete this forever repeating task by the postal method. Since starting this, the process has been pretty good and uneventful. A quick trip to the Post Office to send the required documents via registered mail. Sadly, this has changed, due to the current political unrest and protests that have brought several government departments to a close. The Immigration Department that looks after this, is one of them.

The deadline for her reporting approached and passed. Still no reply with the needed slip of paper. I managed to find a website address to check the delivery of the registered mail which my wife had posted weeks before.

http://track.thailandpost.co.th/trackinternet/Default.aspx?lang=en

As the Registered posted had still not been delivered to the Laksi Office, I needed to find out if there were alternate arrangements. I had a favorite link to the Immigration website, but no news offered itself. A friend suggested the Desperately Seeking Bangkok Facebook page as a source of knowledge.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DSBKK/

A quick post, and a few minutes later, several returns of the information required.

Note here, that upon return to the Immigration website via a google search, all the disrupted services were explained and alternate operations presented. Probably a good idea not to rely on favorite links in the future.

http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/intro1.html

Left home about 8:40am from Thong Lo in a taxi. It took a couple of trys to find one that would take me to my destination. I thought, this is going to be a problem. The traffic was surprisingly light. Took about 20 minutes and 120 baht.

Arrived at Imperial World, Ladprao, just before 9am. Already a crowd of foreigners had gathered on the steps. When doors opened, a sea of bodies rushed through. A bit like those videos you see when when shopping malls have sales on. Zoomed towards the elevators only to find them shut down. Again, the flock of sheep moved, and I followed. Baah baah. Four flights of escalators, also not working, to the fifth floor. Just needed to follow the hordes. On the fifth floor, spotted around on the walls and colums, there were some small signs to lead the way through the darkened halls. Could have been mistaken of a scene in that zombie movie where they took over a shopping mall. What was that movie called?

Many counters, glass walls and locked doors. All without much information in English, or any language really. Any staff you could find, were not the friendliest I've met. And the day has just begun? Finally took a guess and lined up at Counter J around the corner to the right. About 9:40am someone finally came and I was first in line. Yay.

 

The counter staff spoke very good English. I explained that I had already sent the documents by mail. This caused little bit of confusion, but seemed all ok in the end. I received my que ticket. 001!

Now had to wait until 10:30 for the main office to open.

Again, more confusion, and people rushing here and there not wishing to miss there spots in the que, my number was called. B001 to counter B7. Yeah thats right, in English. Also this was presented on several flat screens around the waiting room. I presented my documents, and literally 1 minute later, all finished.

WTF!

What a let down. I looked around somewhat dumbfounded. Well, at least, I'll get my coffee.

The taxi ride home was a lot longer. The traffic had built to the Bangkok parking lot we all know and love.

I hope this short narrative might help people with similar needs. I'm wishing for an end to the protests etc so that by the next time Mika needs her 90 Day Report done, things will have gotten back to normal and I can process by the mail.

Until next time my friends.

 

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