Patpong for the King

This is post 14 of 38 in the series “Thailand Trip 2007”

This trip was the first time I visited Thailand since I moved to Sydney in 2001. That was a very long time for an ex-pat to return to homeland.
My view to the country changed around the use of the medium of that time–photography. And I also started to use it as video projects.
Bangkok, I still love this fucking city.

It is another special event. I actually plan to spend last night in Thailand on 80th HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej‘s Birthday to see the celebration. The sea of yellow t-shirts on the streets peaks today. That shows his power to unite Thai people. Even bar girls in Soi Patpong are covering their uniforms which rarely hide anything and come out in the front and wait for the commemoration from the telecast. Stall holders are happy to hand over their spare candles to anyone who does not have one and tourists and shoppers are more than welcomed to join the Patpong community to pay homage to the beloved king this evening.

When the auspicious time comes, 8:19pm, the nation stops and the whole country sing the royal anthem and two more praise-the-king songs in candle light together. The rest of the candles are put up the footpaths or anywhere that can brighten up the streets. After that, Patpong is back to its business.