(二)、泰國篇，(2-1)、新王朝將臨的曼谷市。 @ My Very Own World

中南半島戰紀-曼陀羅華盛開的彼岸

(二)、泰國篇-Thailand.

(2-1)，新王朝將臨的曼谷市-The imminent Dynasty to Bangkok .

曼谷對國人很熟，我也不是第一次來，機上空姐給了入境表格，填一填也就沒事了，只是還滿擔心其他國籍旅客會將排隊隊伍拉很長，由於我手上文件、照片齊全，

下機馬上找到簽證窗口交出申請，結果我花不到3分鐘就拿到簽證，不瞭解其他人是在幹什麼，反正我一下子就出海關，往捷運的方向去搭車走人了。

Bangkok is quite familiar to people in Taiwan,and it isn't my first time being here,either.
I'd got my application forms from a stewardess when on board.I filled it up ,waiting slackily for my arrival's to come,nothing's more.
I was kind of worry that the waiting lines would be long,dued to its free toll for visas.Since I had equiped with necessary documents and photos already,all I needed to do was to reach the applicaiton windows of visa-for-arrival at the customs as soon as possible.I handed my documents over and got my ground visa in 3 minutes' time.I didn't understand what kept other passengers so long in the lines.

Anyway,I was out of the customs before I knew it,and headed towards the airport's BTS,ready to leave.

在曼谷Suvarnabhumi機場內的上古婆羅門經典中的"羅摩衍那"大型藝術雕像

The huge statue of Ramayana story from ancient Brahman sutra set in the Interantioanl Airport of Suvarnabhumbi

我對曼谷的認識還滿久的，記得那年曼谷才剛剛在建捷運，高架橋下的粗大柱子才剛剛立起一排，身上帶著只剩夠付機場離境稅幾百塊的台幣，匆匆趕到Suvarnabhumi機場，

候機的時候，整個機場還臨時給我停電，那時我對此已經"大開眼界"，什麼?!! 機場會停電! 我還因此驚訝不已。

It has been a long time already,since I first visited Bangkok.
I remembered the BTS was just beginning to build.A rows of colossal pillars had been erected on roads not long ago.
I rushed to Suvarnabhumi Airport carrying with only couples of hundreds of New Taiwan Dollars,just enough for me to pay the departure tax.

While I was waiting for my flight,the airport experienced an major blockout out of nowhere.
"What !"
"A blockout at the airport !"
I was very surprised to be aware of the abnormal situation,which really had widened my eyesight ever since.

後來又有一次，身上又是剩沒多少錢可以回家，沒想到錯過班機，只好就近找間便宜飯店住一晚，計程司機不會英文，比了個睡覺的手勢，他馬上滿臉堆滿了笑意，不久，就把我放到了一間色情旅館，整晚，整間服務人員一直問我要不要小姐，害我當晚很怕被敲竹槓，失身的話倒就算了，哈哈。

還有、還有...
說來也真奇怪，我怎麼常常在曼谷卡到陰而錯過了飛機。

There was one time as well,that I didn't have enough money to stay longer.I didn't understand why my flight left without me,haha.I couldn't help but have to sleep over at a cheap hotel nearby.My cabby didn't understand my English.In a flash of light,I gave him a gesture indicating that I needed a place to sleep.He caught my intention right away and gave me a smile.A smile that was so wide from ear to ear.Before long,he took me to a cheap hotel that looked like a brothol.Almost every staff I met at the hotel kept asking me if I need a "companion".
I was so afraid that I would be set up and ended up losing more money.Well~it'd be fine if they just wanted my "viginity",haha.

And there were more to it...
Now it sounds weird to me also,why did I keep missing my flights and having blunders in Bangkok?

泰國皇宮博物館-The Museum of Royal Palace

時光飛逝如梭，
今日的曼谷卻已經有了5條捷運了，不過還沒有全蓋完，橫過昭披耶河的捷運也剛通車不久，算是交通很方便，但是對曼谷通的人而言，真正的交通要道卻是穿過曼谷的昭披耶河，因為主要的觀光地點，幾乎都在沿河的兩岸，因此只要搭配著捷運行走，幾乎都可到達想到的地方，所以，你來曼谷，一定要會搭船，便宜又快速。

Time elapses relentlessly.
Today,there are 5 BTS and MRT lines in Bangkok,even though some of them are not fully completed.The line across River Maenam Chao Phraya was also just announced to be activated.Basically,the traffic net in Bangkok can be considered convenient and sound.
Nonetheless,the true major traffic line in Bangkok should be the transportation on River Maenam Chao Phraya,especailly to the people who know Bangkok very well.

Because almost all major tourist sites are located either side of the river.
You can reach any place you could think of in Bangkok by coordinating BTS and MRT net with the river courses.
Thus,you must know how to take boats in Bangkok.

It is the cheapest and provides time-saving transportation.

昭披耶河-River Mae Nam Chao Phraya

另外，曼谷聽起來似乎交通很便利，但是需注意一件事，在交通銜接上的便利性與我們尚有一段差距，因此，不妨使用網路叫車服務:Grab，若你有客人要拜訪，

需要搭到計程車，要記得提早出門，因為曼谷的市內交通，仍然會塞車，而且很塞那一種。

In addition,it seems to be convenient in Bangkok's transportation.However,you still need to keep in mind,that the connection between lines is not very efficient,compared to ours here in Taiwan.

Hence,on the condition of using vehicles beyond public service,you may consider an internet application,Grab.

If you are to meet someone or a client,and have to call in a taxi,it would be better to get out of door earlier.Because Bangkok has a lot of traffic jams,and which is quite serious in its rush hours.

網上已經有著太多的捷運資訊可找，
那我來說一下昭披耶河的運河總站:Saphan Taksin 站。

There are no problems to get information about mass Rapid Transportation on internet.
Let me introduce a little bit of transportation by River Maenam Chao Phraya,starting at the stop of Saphan Taksin,the headquarter of ferries.

出了這個捷運站，走個1、2分鐘就可以到岸邊運河總站。

經營交通船的公司，不只一家，除了"公共"船最便宜之外(意思就是要有"Public"這個字)，其他都以貴3倍起跳，只是你有可能自己包下一艘船當大爺就是，

而公共船的"辦公桌"，就要往左手邊方向走去(右手邊方向是私營船公司)，是啊，我也是想"我的天啊"，連租個辦公窗口都沒有?(有辦公窗口的也是私營公司，全雜處在一起，

就是一定要看到有Public字樣，才是公家船公司，才可買到正確的公共船票。)

It took me only 1 or 2 minutes to reach of the ferry after getting out of Saphan Taksin Stop.
There are more than one boat companies at the stop,but only a boat company sells "Public" boat tickets has the lowest fare.

Other private boat companies sell tickets with a triple price.
Nonetheless,see things this way,the private boat companies may offer you an opportunity to charter the whole boat for you and your friends only.

You can own a whole boat to yourself like a big boss.

So,when you reach the bank of the river,you'd see a big sign indicating the directions to ticket offices.(The right hand side leads you to a private boat company)
Go to the left hand side,you'll see many office tables selling tickets,and there are also other ticket booths also.
Find an office table that sells "public" boat ticket.Since they all cramped together in one location,so only the table with "public" that sells tickets for the public transportation.

(Yeah,I know,the company selling "public" boat tickets can't even afford a decent window or booth,haha.)

運河總站-The Headquarter of Ferries

另外，由總站有免費的shuttle boat 往下接駁到新開發才2年多的Asiatique 河濱夜市，11:30 p.m.為最後一班回程船，可不要玩過頭了。

In addition,the shuttle boat connects Saphan Taksin with Asiatique night market is free.The Asiatigue has only started for 2 years.

11:30 pm is the time the last shuttle boat sails back to Saphan Taksin ferry,hence,be ware of the time and don't stay too long,if you want to go back to Saphan Taksin stop.

河濱市場-The Asiatique Night Market

曼谷夜晚五光十色，提供了旅人各式各樣的娛樂，對我而言，就跟其他世界上主要城市一樣，吵雜熱鬧，適逢潑水節，當捷運車門在靠近主戰場Central World那站一打開，迎面而來就是一陣喧嘩，身穿花襯衫，手拿水槍，滿身濕淋淋的尋歡的人們，看起來情緒熱血沸騰，就跟外面的氣溫一樣，直線飆升。

The nights in Bangkok are full of dazzling attractions,offering all assortments of entertainment to tourists worldwide.
As to me,Bangkok is another city that is just like its peers everywhere in the world,boisterous parties and hustle-bustling revellers on streets.
It was in Songkran holiday,when the doors of the BTS train opened at the main stop,Central World that holding celebration activities,

I could feel the strong waves of uproaring and cheerful noises swarming up onto my face.

People ,who wore colorful,flowerly shirts and carrying water-squirting guns filled with the station.

They were all soaked wet,and full of exciting passion of fun.

The party was so hot like the temperature out of the train's coaches,keeping on racketing high to the night.

白天的曼谷對我卻是無奈之情滿溢，連要拍個美照，都避不開佈滿整個都市的電纜線，如同扭曲並且互相纏繞的黑蛇，恐怖又礙眼。這跟城市建設和發展的設計與進程有關，整個中南半島的國家都是這樣，可以做就儘量發展，但沒有瞻前顧後，回過頭看台灣多年的各種公共"地下化"成果，實屬不易，這不是只要時間就可以，這可也是大筆大筆的費用啊，單單這一點，台灣都市的發展和中南半島各國就已經不在同一個層次上。

It was a tall job to take a pretty photos at daytime out of the cable jungle,which really got me down.

Those electrical cables were so ugly,always on the way of eyesight,and got me thrilled,like black mambas twisting and intertwining with each other in their terrifying den.

Actually,all countries in peninsula are facing the same cable phenomenon.It has something to do with the developing management and designs of infrastructure.

They tend to expanse towns this way by neglecting the needs in future,for it would be cheaper and easier at the moment.

Thus,we look back to see the urban development in Taiwan,we would realise that it has never been easy as time goes on only,it also costs a great deal of money to have all utilities "underground",

which points out our developing stage is not in the same level as countries' in peninsula.

王權大廈頂樓觀景-The Panoramic View on the top floor of Manahakhon Building

泰國是佛教國家，出家還蔚為風尚，平日辛苦勤奮的普羅大眾，在大太陽和高溫下四處勞動身軀，賺取微薄生活，若不是處於佛家感化的環境，早就起來反了，盡管環境艱苦，仍能本性不移努力創造生活，經濟開發中是印度支那半島的領先國家，而出家是為父母做功德，在泰國貢獻財物給僧侶、金碧輝煌地為寺廟妝點、

以及大家常看到寺廟裏面的大樹下(佛樹)，用木杖支撐樹根(佛杖)，這些都是"功德"，

今年(2019)才剛完成維護工程的鄭王廟，重新開放給大眾參觀，大家有空去時，一定要去看看，感受一下泰國人心的虔誠，以及體現寺廟是泰國人對來世幸福的寄望，

是的，妝點佛像、美化佛像在泰國是"功德"，其他中南半島國家也是有這樣的習俗，你可以說泰人把最好的都留給了佛。

Buddhism dominates Thailand in almost every aspect in life.It is even considered popular for people to be a monk temperorarily.
People in Thailand are used to being in an environment of hard working for merely income in hot weather and fierce sun.

Some might be rebellious against society,if not being long under the influences of Buddhist culture and nurture for ages.
Nonetheless,the hard efforts have the prolific payback.Thailand nowadays is the leading country in economy in all Peninsula Indochina.

To practice being a monk is a way of retribution to parents,and the way is sprawling all over everywhere.

There are also many other ways considered doing life merits as Thailand's Buddhism has taught,like donating money or handouts to monks or temples, making temples with sumptuous decoration,or,as you might have seen,donating wooden sticks(Buhhda's canes) to the tall trees in temples' yards(Buddha's trees) by placing at the ground stem of the trees as a way of bolstering the trees.
All of these things are considered good merits to your life after death.

This year,the Temple of the Dawn has just finished its maintanence and re-opened to the public.

If you have come,don't forget to pay a visit and experience the pious hearts and the life anticipation of people here in Thailand.

Yes,indeed.It is considered a good merit to decoration on Buddha statues in Thailand.

As a matter of fact,I think all countries in peninsula have the same customs.

You may say that people in Thailand give all of their best in life to Buddhas.

鄭王廟-The Temple of Dawn

曼谷雖然娛樂業發達，飲食便宜多樣，也適合短期居留，但是如果待在城市太多天，我一定會覺得悶，而充次著各國觀光客也會讓我覺得煩(現在說著捲舌音的中國觀光客很多)，幸好曼谷鄰近衛星城鎮，提供了不同的景觀，我選擇了"古城"、"安帕瓦水上市場"、以及"大城-阿瑜陀耶"，作為心情調適的參觀景點，

這些景點也很適合各自一日遊的安排，但我在安帕瓦有多待了幾日。

Even though I could get every comforts in Bangkok,for instance,the food is cheap and delicious,and Bangkok is convenient and suitable for sojour.
Nonetheless,I didn't want to get irritated by over-crowded tourists(especially those who spoke with twisted tongues from China)

and suffocated by monotonous life style in city.

Fortunately,the satellite towns around Bangkok provide different living experiences from Bangkok.

I chose Ancient City,Amphawa Floating Market,and "Big City",the Ayutthaya as an ideal one-day getaway respectively.

These places offered me a great opportunity to adjust my touring arrangement.

Though these locations are suitable for one day tour,but I had stayed more than one day in Amphawa.

臥佛寺大佛-The Reclinging Buddha

古城是由泰國著名商人Mr. Lek Viriyaphant投資開發，連同位於附近的三頭象神博物館可以一起同時參觀，捷運號稱可以直接到Chang Erawan站，只是在前一站Samrong就要下車換到對面車廂去(剛好聽得懂英文，所以還以為是車輛調度的問題)，到了目的地站後，出捷運還要步行個10來分鐘，不過倒是不用擔心走錯路，快到達時，由捷運車廂裡往外看，遠遠就可看到位於高速公路旁的三頭象神，不會錯過超級龐然大物的地標，雖然採用博物館方式經營，只是我要提醒國人，主館場本質還是間寺廟，要保持肅靜和尊敬的心態，最上層更是呈列各時期佛像，有專人管理，我就當場在一片安靜中，聽到2個操中國腔口音的女生歡笑聲(嘲笑聲?)，該位管理員馬上發出了"嘖"的不悅。

Ancient City was invested and established by a highly-prestiged entrepreneur,Mr.Lek Viriyaphant.Its location is very close to the Museum of Erawan.Both can be arranged together in one day itinerary.
I bought a BTS ticket to the Chang Erawan Station directly,but all passengers got off at Samrong stop,

a stop before Chang Erawan,and changed to transfer at the opposite line

(I thought it was a problem of train coordination,but it's not.)

It took me another 10 minutes' walk after I got out of the Chang Erawan station.
However,I didn't worry to get lost,because the museum is a gigantic building with 3 elephant heads,that no one could miss.

People can spot it even from the windows of BTS's coaches when approaching near.It was built and suurounded by the highway.

The landmark is run as a museum.However,I need to alert visitors that its essence is still a temple.
Being quiet and showing respect in mind are needed after entering the main building.

There were many Buddha statues from different periods of time on the upper most floor,and managed by professional employees.
I did hear laughter coming from 2 Chinese girls(mocking?) on the spot,and the manager made an unpleasant sound in return immediately.

象神博物館-The Museum of Lord of 3-head Elephant

由象神博物館要跟著去古城76府園區玩，搞了半天，博物館人員建議還是搭計程車(約200BTH)比較方便和快速，本來想搭捷運去，可是好像不通的樣子(或是出了捷運站，仍然要再走個10來分鐘，大熱天大家嫌麻煩)，門票可以上網先預訂，到了後當場可租免費的腳踏車，也可搭園區的車遊覽，我滿龜毛的，每個點停留時間不定，所以還是借了腳踏車自行玩去，園區雖然整理得漂亮，但我對"速食"類景點沒有什麼太大感覺，很好玩但是就模型嘛，適合跟家人朋友去逛逛。

這幾天氣溫已經開始往36度飆上去，第一天本來都在跟我說日文、或中文、或韓文，但是戶外的陽光讓大家開始跟我說泰國話，啊! 哈哈，一定是又變身了(變黑了...)。

After I finished the tour at the Museum of Erawan,I planned to keep on going to the Ancient City.
It took me some time to decide the ways of transportation.
The staff at the museum advised me to take a cab(the fare was about 200 Bths),saying it's the easiest way to get there.
At first,I had considered to use BTS,but it seemed not working on that day.

And even I got there,I still needed to walk more than another 10 minutes in the fierce sun.

Hence,the most convenient way is to take a taxi.

The tickets can be ordered on internet,and the fare includes a free bike renting,or the park also offers free e-bus.
Considering I might stay no matter how long as I liked,I took the bike and rode by myself.
The park was managed pretty well,but I didn't have much affection to the type of "fast-food" service.
The park is fun indeed to families as an amusement park,though it was a cluster of exquisite models to me.

The temperature had kept on rising to 36 degrees Celsius.
On the first week,people talked to me when we met for the first time in Japanese,Chinese,or Korean,( they guessed my nationality by my complexion.)
But these few days,people started talking to me in Thai language...
A-ha,I must have been sun tanned a lot,haha.

古城一景-A View taken from the Ancient City

晚上回到市區，熟悉明亮的購物商場讓我心情寧靜下來(沒辦法，我出生在都市裡)，街頭拉客按摩和小吃店生意依然繁忙，

該塞車的路段依舊塞著，

眼前軍政府何時要交出政權尚不知，但是下個月(5月)，泰國新皇要即位啦，

新時代即將來臨...

I reached the city center by dusk.I felt calm and easy being among the familiar surroungdings(I was city born,and used to being the atmosphere.).

The streets were always boisterous to see people hailling and soliciting potential customers from street vendors and shops.The city traffic jammed as they did as usual.
It seemed to me the world was running like nothing serious going on,when I looked up at the night sky.
People even didn't know if the military government would hand over the power back to people.

However,a new era was quietly coming.
The new king was going to take the throne soon...