Sunday, March 30, 2014

Taxi Pagoda

On the dashboard in the taxi last night there was an elaborate multi-layered display with a menagerie of lucky icons. On the lower levels, Thai monk statuettes faced the driver and passengers, and on the top tier there was a Garuda mythological bird figure spreading his golden wings in front of two Buddha images. This setup goes above and beyond your average taxi dashboard altar in Thai taxis. It's more like a little pagoda.        

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Taxi or Scooter?

Advertisements for motor scooters seem to regularly appear in Bangkok taxis. Are they trying to target passengers who are fed up with traffic jams and rude cabbies? Doesn't promoting the use of motorbikes ultimately hurt the business of taxi drivers? And why is that Lady Gaga impersonator awkwardly perched on the bike's seat? 

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Sleepy Heads

Besides snapping photos and talking to the drivers during long commutes in Bangkok taxis, I admittedly take occasional naps. Riding in the backseat of a cab can be relaxing, presuming the driver isn't blaring the radio or talking loudly on their phone, as long as the roads are smooth, and provided there are no ambulances with loud sirens passing by. Today, it didn't help to have a sleepy dwarf plush toy with heavy eyelids sitting in the back of the car near me. Just like when someone yawns and it causes you to yawn, looking at the drowsy character was outright sleep-inducing. I ended up dozing off for most of the ride, and when I woke up, I felt a little bit like the sluggish troll in the taxi, minus the green stocking cap and long white beard.