The unusual cool and dry weather has afforded an opportunity one doesn't usually take up - walking through the old areas of Bangkok.
And old and dilapidated they certainly are. Many of these will eventually be demolished to make way for their modern equivalent. In their present state I do not think this is a bad thing. Normally I would be inclined towards conservation and preservation, but I cannot see any merit in these edifices.
The strange thing is these areas sit right next to one of the prime areas of real estate - the river front with its five star hotels, including the world famous Oriental Hotel, (The Mandarin Oriental now).
The third picture shows the back of the former Russian Embassy, which is to be restored and incorporated into a high end condo and shopping mall complex with lagoons and gondolas, reminiscent of the Bellagio in Las Vegas. (The mind boggles...)
Unfortunately rapid development has meant that new infrastructure for telephones and internet is carried through unsightly overhead wiring. There are plans to remove this eyesore, by laying cables underground, but it will be a long a irritating process, and will be carried out in "Thai time".
No comments:
Post a Comment