THE HIGH LIFE - BANGKOK

28th Dec 2021 - 2nd Jan 2022

'Happy New Year' from my 'new best friends' at Buddy's Bar

Returning to Bangkok I decided to visit a couple of rather more 'upmarket' venues that I am accustomed to.

Left: The State Tower Building at the western end of Silom Road towards the river. It is, primarily, a very expensive hotel.

I dread to think how much a room, or suite, costs.

Right: This car was parked at the front entrance. It is a Lamborghini and gives you some idea of the 'status' of the guests.

I had been told there was a 'Sky Bar' up near the golden dome, so I decided to investigate.

I took the very speedy 'rocket' lift to the 64th floor where, I was advised, this bar existed. Indeed it did (left) jutting out over the edge 850ft above ground.

Right: The Sky Bar. 

Left: Enjoying a dry martini. There were no chairs or bar stools, which I thought was a bit inconvenient.

Right: The drinks menu (click on to enlarge). The sky-high prices of the drinks more than matched the altitude! The cheapest drink came in at around 1000 Baht (£24). I expect it was to stop people getting pissed and falling overboard. Anyway, having invested in one drink I didn't stay long.

Left: A photographer up there was doing a 'photo shoot' of some rather tarty ladies. I watched with interest. I say 'ladies' but not sure about this one. 'She' spoke with a very masculine voice and walked like a gamekeeper in high heels. As you are aware, Thailand is famous for its 'ladyboys'. Perhaps this is a model for 'Trans Weekly'?

Right: This pic was not taken at the Sky Bar. An interesting 'double-take' if you look closely. Man, woman or monster?

On to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on the east bank of the Chao Phraya river. Again a frighteningly upmarket and pricey hang-out for the rich and famous which this place has attracted over a long history. It was first established in the mid-19th century when the country was known as Siam

Left: Impressive traditionally dressed 'guards' (apart from the face-masks) at the front door. Lots of bowing and scraping as you go in.

Right: Their magnificent Christmas tree in the foyer.

I treated myself to a vastly overpriced glass of wine on the terrace. As you can see, not too many others present....although there were several groups in the indoor bars and restaurant. And a couple in each of the swimming pools.

Right: The wine came with quite a few 'extras' which were served with obsequious diligence and much bowing. Perhaps they thought, as I was alone, that I might be someone important, travelling incognito. I tried not to disillusion them.

Left: In the 'Garden Suite' and adjoining 'Authors' Lounge' there are some lavishly decorated rooms where tea is served. I merely passed through. There are also some reading rooms and what looked like old-fashioned studys with magnificent writing desks which were preserved as the working space of famous writers. This place was a favoured haunt of some well known (wealthy) authors. Maybe it still is?  Some rooms are named after them. When I write my blockbuster 'world renowned' novels maybe they will remember me too, but I think I have left it a bit too late for that. I doubt 'The Adventures of Travellin' Uncle Matt' will qualify for anything other than a loud 'raspberry'!

The rooms were festooned with photo portraits of famous authors, playwrights and  film producers who have enjoyed, indeed waxed lyrical about, the facilities here. They probably got a reduced bill for doing so. It is an impressive collection of the 'arty-farty' Brigade. I now show below a series of some of these photos (there were many more!). I wonder how many of them you recognise?:

So much for the 'High Life'. Much as it might be admired and sought after, one cannot forget that in this part of the world much of the population has to scrape a living as best they can. I neither envy nor pity them. There is little 'welfare' funding in these countries and one is expected to find some form of income however you can, however basic. The need to work for a living is taken for granted. It is extraordinary, compared to our soft Western expectations that the 'State will provide everything, is not replicated here and people don't whinge about it. They have ambitions but no sense of entitlement. They do not begrudge the wealthy and successful. They are self-supporting with strong family ties (excuse the pun). They regard their fortunes, or misfortunes, as entirely their responsibility. They smile, get on with life and are no less happy for it.

Right: The other end of the scale. A young lad on the street making things to sell by weaving palm leaves. Our lot of unemployed wasters in UK just beg, steal or expect welfare payouts. Or all of the above.

Tally Ho!

P.S. I have just met a charming Scotsman (yes, they do exist!) from Glasgow in a local bar here. He told me a story, which is not uncommon he said, especially where he comes from, about an old schoolfriend of his. This friend has never been 'officially' employed, and has made no effort to be because he can live in free housing, with subsidised facilities and claim dole money of about £80 per week. Not much huh? Except that he peddles drugs; a thriving business with no lack of customers, especially in Scotland. From this illegal trade (cocaine mainly) he pockets, on average, £2,000 (tax free) per month, or maybe it was per week, I forget! Sometimes a lot more. There is something rather sickening about this I feel. So much for the deserving poor unemployed!