Same-Same But Different

The other day a co-worker asked me how Thailand has changed from the last time I was here.  Since it's been about five years, yah, I have a few observations.  Yes, I know I've used that as a blog post title before, but this time it's...different.  Mali wrote most of that post in 2009, so it's totally different. 

That's not fog...

Same-same: it's still hot, still humid.  It's only slight hyperbole to say I haven't stopped sweating since I got here. 

Different: the pollution seems to have gotten worse.  It's pretty bad during this time of year because there isn't much rain, but my perception of it might be that I'm staying on the upper half of a high-rise building which makes it a bit easier to see the gunk in the air. 

Same-same: Bangkok's streets are still quite congested; people who've been here through the pandemic have told me that traffic has increased noticeably in the past couple of months.  I'm glad that at this point I'm within walking distance of the office and don't have to drive.  My time will come, however, once we're all here and living back in Nonthaburi. 

There are six campaign posters in this photo.

Different: there seem to be more cars, more motorcycles, bigger motorcycles, and a lot of those cars and motorcycles seem to be going a lot faster down the side streets. 

Same-same: navigating the sidewalks can still be an adventure.  Motorcycles still use the sidewalks when the traffic gets bad, and there's always the lovely sensation of stepping on a loose paving stone and having water slosh up on your legs and feet. 

Different: there does seem to be a genuine effort to improve the condition of some of the sidewalks, particularly in areas with a lot of foot traffic.  What's definitely not helping right now are all the campaign signs that appeared this week for the Bangkok gubernatorial election next month.

Same-same: movies are still fun to go to.  Since high school when I worked at a movie theater I have had  a serious soft spot for movies, and since I don't have much else to do on Saturdays, I've been to the movies every weekend so far.  That looks to continue because it's the start of big movie season.  And I do love the caramel popcorn and giant soda while I sit in my assigned seat.

Different: movie ticket and concession prices have increased since we lived here last.  Okay, that shouldn't be a surprise because it's been a decade, but I really shouldn't complain, they're both still cheaper than in the US.

I see this dude all over Bangkok.

Same-same: street food is still cheap and delicious.  There's a fried-chicken and som tam vendor right in front of my building every night and it's amazing.  If my doctor is asking, I only indulge in that delicious fried chicken once a week.  Sometimes twice. 

Different: there has been a proliferation of fast-food franchises and a veritable explosion of Japanese restaurants.  Two places in particular that weren't here even five years ago are Taco Bell and Carl's Jr. (although I've heard the latter is a victim of the pandemic and is going to be closing down).  It seems like you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a McDonald's in downtown Bangkok, and I know of at least three BonChon Chicken locations.  In addition to McDonald's selling fried chicken, Burger King now has fried chicken, including Korean-style, on their menu.

There's plenty more that has changed, and of course my immediate circumstances make the current experience much different than when we lived here before.  Ask me again in about six months after we're settled in Nichada and I'm sure I'll have even more observations about what's changed.