Ran_Dom on life and China, and life in China: Thailand

Every year Chinese New Year causes what is referred to as the "world’s largest human migration" of our times.
This year I was one of theses millions of migrants. Destination? The Kingdom of Thailand.

I left China during Chinese New Year, forgoing all of Spring Festival’s celebrations and traditions (more here or here)?! Well not quite, since one of the reasons I went to Thailand was to "meet the parents" of my girlfriend, who are Taiwanese, living in Thailand..

Well then, off I was, for two weeks, one week in Bangkok and surroundings, one week in Krabi, Southern Thailand.

Some of my impressions:

PINK TAXIS - Thailand is about color. People wear bright colors, flowers decorate houses and temples and even the taxis are purple, blue and orange or bright red.
UNINTENDED MONUMENTS - Bangkok was about to double in housing volume when the before hyped Westerners smelled the dead rat. A boom went bust and loads of half finished and in the meantime rusty buildings are testifying of what the result was - the 1997 Financial crisis.

BOAT TO AVOID TRAFFIC - Yep, traffic jams are your daily bread. Yep, taxi drivers are trying to rip you off.. but hey, why don't you simply profit from what I enjoyed most about Bangkok's public transport - the wooden boats on the Chao Phraya River?!
FOOD AND RETIRED CHEFS - Pad Thai, loads of curry, fresh and splendid sea food, divine fruits,.. Thai kitchen is rich and tasty. Interesting enough: I had some of my best Italian food in Bangkok. Reason: the considerable migration of "retired" European chefs..
THE POWER OF TOURISTS - The "product" Thailand currently sells best, it's hospitality, implies a massive influx of tourists and with it hard currencies. This in turn can change social patterns and modify what is perceived and sold as part of a tradition and culture. Let me avoid elaborating more on why I am not too keen on ever experiencing - sitting in a plane from Bangkok, or even Phuket, to Switzerland or Germany - and mention another example instead: The Damnoen Saduak floating market: Locals switched from (also) buyers to sellers and products sold from vegetables to miniature Buddhas and "I've been to Damnoen Saduak" T-Shirts.
STANDING FOR THE KING - Babel (IMHO a good idea but not really compelling realization) we saw, but this isn't really relevant since we would have been expected to get up for the anthem of the king before any other movie as well. The Thai love their King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or simply Rama IX, who has celebrated his 60th year in power last year and consequently is the world's longest serving monarch. To show their adoration for the king, Thai wear a yellow shirt every Monday and, new, also Friday.
BEING BBQ-ED - Flying in from wintry Beijing 35 degrees can feel quite hot. I was melting away at the Grand Palace and while marveling at Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Thai Kingdom.
MEET THE PARENTS - De Niro and Stiller have got nothing to do with it - it was a pleasure to get to know my girlfriends entrepreneurial and interesting parents. I especially remember the bike trip we undertook.. 35 degrees, though tropical plantations and the buffet dinner that included chocolate fondue.. *^^*

MEET BIBI - Well, I prefer not to talk about this.. ;)
EAT THE FISH AND PROFIT - After the fish was only on the table on the first night of Spring Festival to symbolize profit, we ate it on the second day to profit in the future. The year of the golden pig (only every 60 years) has started well. Echo and I won 300 Baht in dicing.. ;)
MASSAGE, THAI STYLE - 'No, no she is not going to do it.. no! no? AAAAAHHH --- KRIIICKS --- Outch? AHHH ^^ Thai massage is about as sensitive as a bear caressing a mouse. But the experience and result were TOP.
RUNNING FOR A SEAT ON THE PLANE - Air Asia is the "easyjet" of Asia. Interesting new feature: they do not allocate seat numbers anymore. The early bird catches the good seat...

SOME GET TANNED OTHERS - YOU LIKE SHRIMP? - .. if so then I would have been happy.. ;)

THE HIPPIE COMMUNITY AT 'THE BEACH' - "Tong Sai", a beach on Railey in Krabi province, is where we met our dear 'hobby' Singaporean mates Mel, Parkie, CK and Aditi (nomadlife's most lazy Blogger). Together we enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere of this somewhat isolated beach (one can reach it only via boat) that attracts quite a bunch of climbers due to its outer worldly carst cliffs. STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL and very easy-chill. Hot recommendation.
HANG LOOSE - .. and finally this trip was a great opportunity to hanging loose, relaxing, reading books, enjoying the hammocks on the beach so as to get ready to getting into the fast track in Beijing again.