Wednesday Walk - Phahon Yothin Soi 52, Saphan Mai, Bangkok (now edited to add the missing photos!)
So the first thing I must do is start with a confession. I didn't walk. I rode my scooter! It has been 36C today though which is far too hot for walking the 1.5 miles from one end of Soi 52 to the other.
There is nothing spectacular or noteworthy in this video or photos, it's simply a shot of a normal afternoon as people go about their daily business. It's also off this Soi where I live when I'm in Bangkok.
I just got to thinking how everything has changed since the advent of out of town shopping malls and huge supermarkets but yet here, there are still these self-contained microcosm communities that are almost completely self-sufficient.
There is nothing I can't buy or service I can't find down this one street and I also thought it might be nice to share with anyone who has never been to non-tourist Thailand, what it's really like in the 'burbs. I think it's fair to use my Soi as a benchmark for 'normal'.
Anyway, forgive the slightly shakey video. I took it on my phone whilst riding one handed and only had my 'Automatic Resistance Motion' device (or arm as I prefer to call it!) to keep it steady.
In the meantime, a few still photos to look at in case you're prone to se-sickness!
This is the wife's favourite store and where she buys all her brooms...
This is one of a number of pharmacies on the street. All licensed medical establishments have a colour. Pharmacies are blue or green. AS a matter of interest, Occupational Therapy Clinics are brown. Nice!
After all that driving up and down, I needed some petrol. You can buy a bottle of petrol that sits out in the sun all day for 50baht. Probably just a litre and obviously at premium but can get you out of trouble!
Let's buy some gold! Gold shops that buy and sell bar and jewellery are everywhere in Thailand.
Higher education? We have that covered with the 'futuristic' North Bangkok University. Ranked in the world's top 10000, I kid you not!
Just popping down the shops for a new scooter...
Finally, the temple at the end of the road!
▶️ 3Speak
What a nice idea! I loved driving through town! You could set up a #thursdaydrive ;-)
Questions: why do you have so many wires for electricity or what?
And people still with masks on streets and markets?
Having all these nearby stores is great, its more worth living culture than the big super markets in my eyes.
The electric wires all overhead. its a huge standing joke in Thailand. Russell Crowe visited Bangkok to shoot a movie recently and tweeted pictures of the wires, soon after, Bangkok local council started the huge process of putting them underground, but only in the city centre!
As for the mask, yes, we are still legally required to wear masks at all times when we're out of the house. Shops, on the street, everywhere! I believe this is being slightly relaxed on July 1st and not before time !!
Thank you so much for dropping by, I don;t know what happened to all the photos I posted but I'll edit and post them again :-)
I didnt miss photos because of the video and I am thinking about reactivating my old scooter, this old scooter driving feeling waking up :-)
Just fear there will be a lot to do ... new wires, brakes, motor service, new license to drive on street...
Riding a scooter in that heat is a good idea
Thanks for joining Wednesday Walk :), I truly enjoy exploring the world virtually each Wednesday seeing walks from all around the globe and feeling I am there and experiencing it all myself, such as I did in your post just now :)
So interesting to see “non touristy” Thailand. Just people going about their business and the local stores / shops.
Yep I can imagine it is just toooo hot to start walking around in that heat. Not funny. Do take care there.
And also driving one handed on your scooter hehehe 😂 lol
It isn’t tooo wobbly though the video. For the way you describe it.
Thanks for showing us around. Have a great day further @nathen007 👋🏻☀️😎
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STOPbeutyful photos mnate!
Busy and buzzing. I love how vibrant it looks, you really do seem to have everything there. I don't blame you for not walking, that kinda heat makes it unpleasant at the best of times.
Nice shot friend