Bangkok - Talkingthailand

On the Trail of Bangkok’s European Heritage Exhibition – Take 2

Following my first photo exhibition – On the Trail of Bangkok’s European Heritage – at Dialogue Coffee and Gallery back in 2017, I was lucky enough to find a new venue to do it all again!

Chris and I already knew of a little bar on Soi Nana called 23 Bar and Gallery. We used to go there for drinks. One day, I rustled up the courage to ask the owner – Mongkol – if it was possible to exhibit my photos in the art gallery upstairs. He said, YES!

23 bar and gallery is an old shop house with 2 floors, similar to Dialogue, but on a smaller scale. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to show the same 11 photos that I’d exhibited at Dialogue. But, that didn’t worry me, I was just happy that I got a chance to show my work a second time.

It was due to start on 9th February 2018, so a week beforehand, Chris and I schlepped across the city with the chosen photos to set up!

We were greeted by a cheerful Mongkol who handed us some nails, a hammer, and asked if we wanted a beer! It was thirsty work in the hot gallery upstairs!

It took us all of an hour, even less, to get everything set up. Maybe because we were experts at it after my first exhibition, probably because there were fewer pictures and we didn’t have to use wire to hang the photos!

We went and sat outside on the street with another beer. Mongkol seemed happy that I had chosen his bar to hold my exhibition, so he offered to pay for the beers. He even bought a pizza for us, which we ordered from El Chiringuito – a little Tapas bar down the road. We tried to pay him, but he wasn’t having any of it.

It turned out to be such a fun day.

We arrived for the opening night. My friends from work came along too as well as a few more people who popped in for a drink and wandered upstairs to take a look.

I didn’t sell anything this time, but it was still a proud moment for me.

Afterwards, we continued the party in Silom before heading home.

I have plans to do another exhibition somewhere in my home town and I’ll be researching potential venues when I can – watch this space!

The photos used for both exhibitions were a selection from my book – On The Trail of Bangkok’s European Heritage.

You can also check out this video if you would like to see all the photos from my book.

I also created this short video of the photos used in my exhibitions.

I hope you enjoyed sharing this very special memory with me! 🙂

Images of Bangkok

There are many things to see in Bangkok – The Grand Palace, Jim Thompson’s House, Khao San Road and much more. While these places are awesome, I sometimes looked for the not so obvious. There are many things hidden around the city, you just have to look for them!

I hope you enjoy this short video of my images of Bangkok.

You never know what you might find!

Life On the Streets of BKK

Bangkok is many things to many people, but one thing that’s constant is the streets are always full of different things going on. It’s busy, it’s chaotic, but it’s such an exciting city. There is always something to see, to find, to simply enjoy. For the 4 years I lived there, I became the city girl I never knew I was!

Wherever you may wander in Bangkok, street vendors are a part of daily life, selling food and drinks to passersby. Unfortunately, the powers that be have removed some of them to make way for a “new” Bangkok – one where the streets are devoid of these people simply trying to make their living. For me, and I’m sure countless others, this is a tiny part of what makes Bangkok so appealing.

These condo blocks are all over Bangkok. Home to many people, you’ll see satellite dishes amidst balconies full of drying clothes.

There are many little shops like these selling flags, framed photos of their King – past and present – and other patriotic items.

And, down every little alley, you’ll find someone going about their daily business.

While Bangkok is generally a tourist destination, there are certain areas of the city where tourists flock. Banglamphu which is home to Khao San Road and Soi Rambuttri is teaming with backpackers and holidaymakers alike. But, some days are pleasantly quiet making it more pleasurable to explore.

Over in Sathorn, business people are heading out to lunch.

Others, painfully making their way through the notorious Bangkok traffic.

Or, taking a breather in the relentless heat.

There are kids chatting to friends while they wait for their ride home.

And gentlemen walking home from the shops.

Another thing I love about Bangkok is that many of its streets are lined with trees.

There is street art hidden down alleyways.

There are so many vantage points.

And things to photograph.

Then, there are the canals upon which the modern city has developed. It’s fascinating to think that these waterways were the main routes around the city all those years ago – some of them are still in use.

Not far from downtown Bangkok, you’ll find streets with no life! You’d be forgiven for thinking you were somewhere other than the international metropolis that is BKK!

If you’re ever in Bangkok, you won’t have far to go to find a little street life!

For more Bangkok street life, check out these posts.

Street Life #1 Phra Athit Road

Street Life #2 Yaowarat Road

Street Life #3 All Around Bangkok

Bangkok City Views

When I lived in Bangkok, I used to walk around the city with my camera a lot. There are many things that compel me to take a photograph. It could be a distinctive architectural feature, an ornate temple or a dilapidated building.

There are endless photographic subjects to be had in Bangkok and I had lots of fun looking for them! For me, it’s exciting because you never can tell what you might find!

Here are a few things that caught my eye!

This juxtaposition of 5-star hotel – Lebua – and the Leo beer advert.

The reflection of the buildings opposite the Eastin Grand Hotel in Sathorn.

The purple colour and zig-zag feature of the Mode Sathorn Hotel on Sathorn Road.

The colour and ornate decoration of Wat Bowonniwet on Phra Sumen Road.

Chong Nonsi Bridge for just being different and it’s good for a spot of people watching!

Chong Nonsi BTS Station under blues skies and white clouds with a glimpse of Bangkok’s infamous cables.

The high-rise Regis Hotel in Sathorn with its glass windows and reflections of the clouds.

I am not sure what this building is, but the brown bricks, arched windows and golden dome on the roof caught my eye. It was worth a close up!

More cables, people and a palm tree as the neon lights of the city flicker on at dusk!

There are many buildings like this in Bangkok where people have made their homes. It’s very humbling!

For more things that catch my eye around Bangkok, check out these posts

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/architecture/architectural-delights/

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/architecture/things-that-catch-my-eye/

The Best of Chulachomklao Fort, Bangkok

Whenever I take photographs, I usually take a lot. And when I mean a lot, it can sometimes be over 100 shots. I just can’t help it, especially when I go somewhere that I find interesting. There’s always some angle or colour, animal or bird, bridge or reflection – anything that catches my eye.

When I am writing posts for Talkingthailand or Morrisophotography, I go through all the photos I have taken from a particular day and group them into “post pics,” “best pics,” “black & white” etc. Apart from the main subject I am writing about, this process gives me ideas and inspiration for other posts.

Photography is a very subjective thing. What I class as “the best of” might be quite different to what you think. That’s what makes it interesting don’t you think?

With that in mind, here is my compilation of the Best of Chulachomklao Fort, in Bangkok.

Do you take a lot of photos when you go somewhere? What do you do with them?

Chulachomklao Fort, Bangkok

When I lived in Bangkok, I did my fair share of exploring. A colleague told me about Chulachomklao Fort, around 29 km south of Bangkok. It sounded interesting, so I decided to visit.

Getting there was fun, I only knew that I had to take the 145 bus to Pak Nam market, then take a boat across the river. The boat chugged its way around a small island towards the pier in Phra Samut Chedi District. You’ll see lush greenery and birds gathering to grab whatever titbits they can from the local fishermen.

It always seems a bit of an adventure when you don’t really know the way, so I just went with the flow. I had to find a market on the other side which wasn’t too difficult after I’d asked a couple of people. From there, I had to locate a truck which would take me to the fort.

Chulachomklao Fort was built in 1884 during the reign of King Rama V. Its main purpose was to defend Thailand against enemies and those seeking to colonise.

I wandered around the gun park where you can see all the different types of artillery and other weapons that were used when the fort was active.

This proud statue of King Rama V stands at the front of the fort.

You’ll also see the entrance to the bunkers which house the disappearing guns.

Inside the bunker, there is a long open corridor..

with doors leading to low underground tunnels..

and the guns at the end.

The disappearing guns were used only once in 1893 when the fort protected the sovereignty of Thailand from French invasion.

They were designed to be hauled up by their hydro-pneumatic system for firing and lowered again afterwards.

Also at the fort is H.T.M.S Maeklong. She was in service for 60 years and deployed during WWII.

It’s fun to scamper about on her decks!

You get good views across the Gulf of Thailand too!

As you move around the park, you’ll come across this ordinary telegraph pole.

It was constructed in 1869 as the first telegraph cable between Bangkok and Paknam. Unfortunately, the service was unsuccessful. 6 years later, the Thai Department of Defence constructed an underwater telegraph line for messages concerning sea traffic to be transmitted.

There is also a lovely mangrove walk you can take.

With some Macaques for company.

If you ignore them, which you should, they won’t take a blind bit of notice of you.

There is more nature to be seen if you’re lucky.

After I’d seen everything, I made my way back to the pier and across the Chao Praya River towards home.

If you’re ever in Bangkok and want to see something just a bit different, Chulachomklao Fort is a fabulous place to visit for the day.

For more places to go in Bangkok, check out the following posts.

A Guide to Nature in Bangkok

Places to Visit in Bangkok – With a Twist

A Last Trip to the BACC

As you may have gathered, I am quite the culture vulture and when I lived in Bangkok, I used to go in search of it. My favourite place to go was the Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre or BACC.

I used to love the art and photographic exhibitions that were held there and just before I left Bangkok, in 2018, I took one last trip there.

On this particular day, I’d gone to see an art exhibition by Oleg Shuplyak called Imaginarium – check out his amazing paintings in the following posts..

Imaginarium – By Oleg Shuplyak

Imaginarium by Oleg Shuplyak

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/art/imaginarium-by-oleg-shuplyak/

Whatever exhibition was on, I loved wandering around the BACC looking at all the photos and paintings, but I also loved people watching. Lots of people, like me, went there to enjoy all the different types of creations.

There are 9 floors in the BACC, each with something different to see. It could be the main exhibit or other art and photography offerings on display.

There are also resident artists who have a space to work on pottery or painting.

And then there was me, watching, learning and absorbing everything around me.

I have written about my previous visits to the BACC and when I return to Bangkok on holiday, this will be one of the first places I visit.

Art in the City

Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre

Here are a few photos I have taken at the BACC in the past.

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/art/art-and-angles/

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/art-and-photography-collages/

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/bangkok-art-and-cultural-centre/

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/beyond-the-air-we-breathe-bangkok-art-and-cultural-centre/

There are many more art galleries in Bangkok and I have loved them all!

Art Galleries in Bangkok

I hope you enjoyed my artful reminiscing!

The Garden of the Gods at Muang Boran

There are five different “regions” at Muang Boran, or the Ancient City, in Bangkok and in the Central region, you’ll find the Garden of the Gods.

There are some interesting statues in the garden all representing Hindu gods who have been a part of Thai culture for generations.

I love learning about different cultures and traditions and you can do it everywhere you go!

Bangkok’s Ancient City (Muang Boran)

One of the best places to visit in Bangkok is the Ancient City or Muang Boran Museum.

Muang Boran is the brainchild of architect Lek Viriyaphant (1914-2000) who wanted to create a space where people can learn about Thailand’s past as well as keeping the culture of Thailand alive.

Lek started his project in 1963 by building replicas of important structures that once existed in different parts of Thailand. There were some places that had been reduced to ruins, so Lek transported these ruins to the site of the Ancient City and used them in the construction process.