Thai garland lady smiles, while the red light keeps me waiting

An elderly Thai woman is seen selling jasmine garlands at the Rama 9 intersection during red light traffic. This Thai form of floral garland locally known as "Phuang malai" (Thai: พวงมาลัย) is often given as offerings, and worn and presented at many festivals and occasions, such as graduations and weddings, for good luck.



As I snapped this picture the lady noticed me, and then smiled at me and the taxi driver :)

New Bangkok Taxi Fares take effect

Bangkok taxi fares have increased since Wednesday on an average of 12% per trip, while the first kilometer charge remains the same at 35 Baht. After the 1st km the meter will increase by 50 satang for every kilometer actually traveled. Taxis must display a sticker certifying that they are allowed to operate on the new fare structure.

The new taxi fares came into effect following today's announcement in the Royal Gazette. The previous fare which has been in effect since November 1996 has been adjusted due to soaring fuel prices in Thailand.

This is a good news for taxi drivers especially those running on NGV, but bad news for me since I take taxis too.

Old & rusty classic Thai taxis with parking space in a busy Thai street

While it's so difficult to find parking space in most of Bangkok's busy streets especially around the business districts, these two old and rusty classic Thai taxis with all their tires punctured-flat and missing glass windows enjoy their prime parking space outside a home, parked one in front of the other in a busy street just outside a multi-national bank near Rama 4 Road.

Their owner must be pretty proud of them, at least it could remind one of the good old days when driving a Taxi in Bangkok was more fun without much traffic, noise & pollution around.

Solar Taxi guy arrives in Bangkok to save the planet from global warming

Swiss born Louis Palmer aka "Mr Solar Taxi" arrives in Bangkok in his solar powered taxi halfway through his "Swiss Solar Taxi on World Tour". Palmer is driving around the world without using a single drop of petrol to tell the world that we can stop global warming and that solutions are available. Palmer started on 3rd July 2007 in Lucerne, in Switzerland. Palmer will exhibit his solar taxi at Central World Plaza, Bangkok on 10th April 2008. Check out the official website at http://www.solartaxi.com

He carries a swiss flag on his rooftop along with the flag of the country he is visiting. His solar cells are powered by Q-CELLS AG which is the main sponsor with their logo on his car.

Technology highlights of the vehicle:

• Ecology: Zero CO2 emission
• Max. speed: of 90 km/h
• Light weight: 500 kg (+ 250 kg for thailer)
• Energy efficient: Consumption of 8 kWh/100 km (equivalent of 0.8 l petrol / 100 km)
• 6m2 solar cells on a rooftop yield power for 15,000 km per year
• Drive up to 400 km with the latest ZEBRA battery technology
  

In 2004, he gave up his teaching career to design a solar vehicle and asked for help from experts as well as support from private companies. He called his solar vehicle a 'taxi' as it has an extra seat for a passenger. Over 400 people had experienced a ride including the Prince of Jordan and Australian Environment Minister Peter Garrett. Palmer aims to travel atleast 50,000 km through 40 countries in 5 continents in around 18 months, to lecture 40,000 people on his world trip.

Some of the big cities on his tour are:

• Singapore (25 March)
• Kuala Lumpur (31 March)
• Bangkok (9 April)
• Vientiane, Kunming (18 April)
• Shanghai (12 May)
• Beijing (21 May)
• Seoul
• Osaka
• Tokyo
• Vancouver
• San Francisco
• Los Angeles
• Phoenix
• Chicago
• New York
• Montreal

He has inspired Thai engineers to develop their own solar vehicle and send it to the United Nations climate change talks in Copenhagen next year.

Bangkok Taxi Meter rates

This is what you would see on some of the taxis in Bangkok behind the front seat. The taxi meter rate table lists the fare according to the distance. It starts at 35 Baht for the first 2 km and goes upto 285 Baht for 50 km.

It states that the passenger pays for the express way toll. It also states 50 Baht more for the airport, this is strange since I've never paid anything extra from the city to the airport.

Thai Elections this Sunday, no booze no beer

Thai elections are up this Sunday, and it's time to stock up on beer and booze as no one is allowed to sell alcohol, to prevent both drunk voting and drunk driving. Probably half of Bangkok would be going back to their home up and down the country to cast their votes.

Another fun ride up the mega bridge

The Mega Bridge also known as the Industrial Ring Road



What a great view from up there!

Heavy rain and floods, stuck on Petchburi Road under an umbrella with an iPod

Last night I was stuck on Petchburi Road with the heaviest rain I ever experienced under an umbrella. Just 10 minutes of heavy downpour and the floods reached knee deep. Don't ask about the traffic! all cars moved at snail's pace and some vehicles just gave up on the middle of the road.



Not even a single available taxi passed by,
all that was left was me and the dark rainy sky.

Speeding on the Mega Bridge in a taxi

Took this photo from the back of a taxi doing 140 km/hr on the Mega Bridge on a sunny afternoon. This unique bridge is quite long and beautiful. It is officially named "Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Bridge". The view is just magnificient, what a pleasure taking the ride!

Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mega_Bridge for more information.