Saturday, October 29, 2011
Let's Swim!
According to some reports in the local media, fifty percent of taxis have recently disappeared from the streets of Bangkok due to flooding in and around the city. A fair amount of cabbies have returned to their home province to avoid the floods, some taxi cooperatives located in areas with high water are closed, and many cabs are parked in high places for safekeeping. As a result, it is becoming more difficult to find taxis to hail in this city. And some drivers are refusing fares because they don't want to venture into flood-prone areas. If you have difficulty finding a cab at this time, don't worry. In some areas it's now possible to swim to your destination.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Thai Hermit
If you happen to spot a figure wearing a tiger skin robe in Bangkok, don't assume that it's another ridiculous trend in this city of fashion victims. Rather, these guys in animal print garb are Thai hermits who live, study, and meditate in forests or caves. Known in Thai as Phra Lersi, these ascetics usually practice traditional medicine and white magic. Bangkok cabbies keep images of Phra Lersi in their taxis to protect themselves from evil spirits. Or perhaps the statuettes represent the taxi drivers themselves who spend a considerable amount of time alone in their cabs away from their family and friends.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Hungry God
Phra Rahu is a Thai god originating from Hindu tradition whose image is sometimes displayed inside Bangkok taxi cabs. He's usually depicted on amulets, charms, and stickers, and cabbies here believe that he's lucky and can help bring in more Thai baht. If you're not familiar with this giant celestial being, you might think that he's nibbling on a cookie or chowing down on pizza. But according to folk beliefs that attempt to explain how eclipses occur, he's trying to eat the sun and the moon. We're talking about a serious case of indigestion here.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Taxi Turtles
At the moment, Thailand is experiencing some of the worst flooding in decades. The deluge of water is creating havoc and many people in provincial Thailand have been forced to evacuate their homes. With high water on some roads, the traffic has been worse than usual, too. Today, while experiencing major gridlock on the way home in a taxi, I wished I were a sea turtle that could swim through the deep puddles past all the cars. Never mind the potential danger. Turtles are a symbol of good luck and longevity in Thailand, so I have a feeling that I would be perfectly safe.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
First Place and Runner-Up
Ever since the Thai general elections in July of this year, stickers with the image of the new Prime Minster Yingluck Shinawatra have appeared in taxis. A caricature of her stands holding up her finger to signify that she is number one. And that's true when it comes to the fact that she is the first female Prime Minister in Thailand's history. But for many Bangkok cabbies, she is in second place. Her older brother, ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is still considered to be number one by most of the drivers.
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