Happy Holidays

"When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky" - The Buddha

Miracle Buddha

Perhaps the most common Buddha image in Bangkok taxis is this one: Luang Phor Sothorn. This is obviously a reproduction, but the original one is believed to hold miraculous powers. In 1767 AD, the Buddha sculpture escaped the burning capital city of Ayutthaya and was swept downstream to Chachoengsao Province southeast of Bangkok where it was rescued by locals who tied a string around it and reeled it in. Today, many Bangkok taxi drivers make regular pilgrimages to the temple where this image is housed. And oftentimes, the cabbies pick up a souvenir in the form of a statuette, like this one on the dashboard.

Father of Thailand

Today is HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 84th birthday. As he is considered to be the father of the country, today also marks the celebration of Father's Day in Thailand. Happy Birthday to His Majesty the King and Happy Father's Day!

See No Evil

Among the lucky charms glued to this taximeter is a dark grey amulet depicting the seated Phra Pidta, or monk with closed eyes. Just like one of the monkeys from the famous trio, he sees no evil. And in the context of the Bangkok cab, he sees no ugly passengers.