Bangkok Culture 2

The Chatuchak Weekend Market: Bringing new meaning to "everything and the kitchen sink".  From stylish clothes to art to puppies and of course, buddha statues, this place has it all.  Unfortunately, it also has endless crowds packed into small spaces and not always the best of smells.  Food and drink (composing the majority of our expeditures here) are necessary to tame what Lonely Planet calls "Chatuchak rage" Oh, check out these intricate wood carvings!

 A Thai playing banjo...that's a first.  Does anyone here even know what bluegrass is?

 We left Chatuchak in class, aboard the BTS Skytrain! A lot more glamorous than the underground Metro train we took to get there.  

 Last stop, the Jim Thompson house.  Mr. Thompson is famous for moving from the U.S. and starting the international Thai made silk business. Less than 10 years after building this beautiful house Mr. Thompson disappeared in Malaysia and was never found again. Thankfully, he left his house and possessions to the Thai government so that everyone would be able to view his place.  

Ever true to Thai tradition,  Jim Thompson built a spirit house on this property. We learned that the Thai people build tiny houses for the local spirits, to keep them away from the houses of the living. Interesting concept. Never hear of Thai spirit possessions do you?

 Thompson was a collector of ancient Thai art, as can be seen here in his living room.