Unlike Sydney, Bangkok is not a scenic city. It is impossible to catch the sunrise and absorb a sublime aura of a new day. On the other hand, what makes up for it is the morning vibe that people create. I am familiar with daybreak actions in a suburb when morning market starts and Buddhist monks come out for the ritual of almgiving, meanwhile middle class cars rush to the jam to workplaces and schools.
However, in the heart of the city, just before the traffic begins to get stuck, there are something very intriguing as I found on one early morning on Sukhmvit Road.
Wrap up the Night and Will DisappearBefore the JamQueue up for Princess MerchandiseGet Ready for the Chaos5 Tonnes a DayEarly Bird BeggarWait for Some ActionsPath Way to WorkMorning SupplyCute CollectionVendor Park
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is about to kick off in a few weeks. And I will be participating as one of the photographers in one of visual arts programs, Mardi Gras: the Slide Show.
Last year event was a big break for me, not only to stretch my photographic actions but also to have the big names, like Dick Quan and Robert McFarlane, to see my works and appreciate them was huge flatter. The award is just a bonus. Big thanks to the project producer, Robert McGrath.
Although my visual style is far from usual Mardi Gras photos, which is the practice of the project, this image from last year is probable the most compromised to be use for this year web site. And another good news is Australia Centre for Photography will be showing the limited selection of last year slide show too. Hopefully, some of mine will get into the show. That would help my little dream comes true.
I am not surprising myself that for six year living in Sydney Australia Day has never been anything but another public holiday. However, since my Australian citizenship application has been approved late last year and I will take an oath to be become an Aussie sooner or later, I decide to explore the celebration of the country’s national day which I trouble with.
Two young girls watching a concert at the Rocks on Australia Day celebration.
National day is normally set on the birth of the modern nation: a revolution or an independence from the colony. In Thailand, it was designated on 10 December when the first official Thai constitution was, in theory, handed to the people but later on it was moved to the King’s Birthday. In general, it is a significant event in the history that reminds the people and draws them together to value the pride of the nation.
On the other hand, Australia Day is on 26 January, the day British first fleet of convicts arrived. What is to be proud of? It neglects the fact that there were indigenous tribes living here thousands years ago and the settlement has never been reconciled with them. I have not seen any message of this history in any publicity piece of the day at all. It seems to be suppressed everywhere. Therefore the core content of the day is very shallow. What to feed the punter are just public live show, fireworks and getting drunk, not any difference from New Year Eve, Melbourne Cup or even Mardi Gras.
Pride and BeerDancing on the StreetSticker TattooClassact BodypaintWatching the ConcertRhythm of the DayScratch the RhythmStretchThe World Going byEventual Rubbish
Thais are very connected to spiritual worlds. Gods and guardians are placed everywhere to make sure that there is something to hold on and look forward to. The divine powers may grant their wishes, give them strengths or, at least, ease their minds. The people are very good at making sense of this tangible world by referring to the beyond.
There are many ways to get in touch with those in the unknown territories. Burning joss sticks seems to be a symbol of making contacts and a tool for the communication. Spots where incense are burnt and stuck indicates the spiritual significances of the areas and the relationships of the people and their lands.
Green Door and the KingA lady praying in trance in Tiger Shrine, BangkokA staff in Tiger Shrine preparing joss ticks and candles to worship godsJoss sticks in the a pot on the street of BangkokA street vendor selling decorated joss sticks in Loy Krathong FestivalA relatively new spot where joss sticks are placed under a footpath treeA homage to Rue Sii Pho Kru (ฤๅษีพ่อครู, spiritual master) of Petch Jing Likay Troupe (ลิเก, Thai folk theatre) before each show every nightA cigarette as a substitute for a joss stick for a spirit house on a streetBurning joss sticks for the Ganesh, resides in front of Central World PlazaA simple recycled joss stick pot made from a milk tinJoss sticks placed and in front of a house in Bangkok
A freak who enjoys discovering and sharing a simple beauty of life even in a strange place
