Belmore Lane, Enmore
Monthly Archives: February 2008
10 Years Tom Yum Goong Disease
When I was in Thailand, 2007 was the tenth anniversary of Asian economic crisis. The Thai Baht currency had been weakened by several attacks from international funds. Finally, the Thai Government at that time was forced to float the currency. The result of this bubble burst, aka Tom Yum Goong Disease, triggered the financial collapses throughout Asia.
Hopewell, Invisible Railtrack
Although Thailand have recovered from the crisis and paid off IMF’s bialout, there are still monumental traces of the melt down, especially, big projects stopped their constructions ten years ago. These are some of the unfinished enterprises in Bangkok: Hopewell Project, upper level train link from the old Bangkok Airport to the city, a building that has never been erected from the ground, a luxury apartment that has been painted only half way through, and a site that is converted into a street vendor park.
What did we learn from this expensive lesson?
25 January 2008
Cambridge Street, Stanmore
11 January 2008, Tigger’s Friend
Campbell Street, St Peters
Residencies of Gods
There are always rooms for gods no matter how crowded Bangkok is. Habitats of gods and spirits can be anywhere in any forms: elaborate shrines, old spirits houses, or even temporary set ups. They show how people spiritually relate to the lands and the offerings reflect the strong bonds between the both worlds, convenient ways to comfort their souls.
10 January 2008
Middleton Street, Petersham
2 January 2008
Wemyss Street, Enmore