Chapter 35: Banglamphu

by the bends of Chao Phraya river, under the foot of Rama VIII bridge sits the area called Banglamphu



from the river to the East, Banglamphu canal cuts into the town and many people’s lives are deeply connected to the flow of water


on the corner where the canal and the river meet is Phra Sumen fort, a park stretched around it offers the best recreational spot in the tourist-populated Banglamphu



and by Pin Klao bridge is Thammasat university, which took an important role in this country’s pro-democracy movement


Free Wi-fi is available at the cafeteria, 20 bahts for non-student person to go in and out for the use of underground library facility all day long, and if you need a break, the whole campus is facing a beautiful view of Chao Phraya river.



Tammy, a California origin Seattle resident whom I met in Pai (see Chapter 5) contacts me while we are in the same internet café (which we didn’t know), ‘I’m in Bangkok, too!’ so we get together for our yoga-in-the-park session



New friendship is born! Lek really likes Tammy’s yoga class. Tammy then decides to give her purple yoga mat to Lek



In a few days ‘Tammy’s yoga-in-the-park club’ brings more practitioners. Rachel and Lindi, my beloved Melbournite sisters from last year’s Cambodian tour (see http://ricefarmtour2007.blogspot.com/2007/01/rolus-group.html) arrive in Bangkok, join the class before their intensive yoga training weeks in Koh Pangan


Toshiro gets the first haircut in this 3 1/2 months trip


All this is a fraction of collective life in Banglamphu, for majority of people spend their time and money over near Kao San road, the booming tourist hell. It’s convenient to stay in Banglamphu while traveling through SE Asia, but it’s easy to fall into traps of Kao San madness. For me, I been too disgusted by Kao San road and area immediately around it, to even take any photo to inform you of this insanity that goes on there all the time.

*1st, 3rd and 4th photos in this chapter by Miguel Aflalo