The area of Bangkok I live in is near the Victory Monument, or anusobari chai somonapul. It’s a major transportation hub, with a Skytrain station, bus stops, and minivan pickup points. The circle around the monument is packed full restaurants and people selling everything. Huge billboards surround the circle, and the Skytrain curves around it. The sidewalk leading down the street away from the monument towards my apartment is so full of vendors and aimlessly milling people, that the only way to get through it is to walk in the road, dodging motorcycles and people jumping off of busses.

It’s an interesting area, but the huge numbers of people are frustrating. Queues to get out of the Skytrain station are long during rush hour, and the platform is often crammed with people. The narrow skywalk is crowded with aimlessly wandering people. I usually take the other exit, which is totally deserted.

This is what the area looks like today, from VirtualTourist.com

This is a fascinating undated photo of the area a long time ago, from 2bangkok.com. The photo has no date.

To do: I’ll have to walk around with my camera sometime and take some pictures. For full effect, I’ll have to do this after work, when the crowds are at their height.