Thank you, or ขอขอบคุณ

Thailand. When you hear this word, what might one think of? Wonderful massages, hot weather, manicures, pedicures, never ending beaches, fantastic nightlife, intense traffic, possibly even.... ladyboys?

Well honesty, the first thing that comes to my mind is something called Mango Sticky Rice. It's a beautiful concoction made of cooked rice, fresh mangoes and coconut milk. Sit outside anywhere and enjoy, add in a tall glass of lemonade and you'll die happy. Excellent choice.

And then, there's the floating markets just outside Bangkok. Experience the art, the elegance, of shopping from your very own boat. Relax as you are lulled along the river, exploring the many facets and trinkets of Thai culture on sale, in your line of view.

Or in other words, a lot of sweaty people stuffed into a large piece of wood along water that's probably full of human feces, while shopkeepers badger you in ways you never thought possible.

Any which way you would like to imagine it, the markets are there, for your viewing pleasure.

Just a few minutes further from the floating markets lies a market entitled the Maeklong Railway Market. Do not be deceived by its appearance, it is the furthest thing from a 'regular' market. Oh no, it is anything but. Everyday at precisely 8:30am, there is a train which runs straight through the center of this plethora of food, drinks and most certainly anything else you could think of.

The shopkeepers lift their shady coverings and make way for the train. Food, however, stays put right along the track and it looks as though the train demolishes it in its wake. All is well, however, once the train leaves and reveals all goods and merchandise left astonishingly untouched. I had a lovely time shopping, and also videoing this phenomenon. Copy, paste and observe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxO8Ba-rogE&t=12s

So, why do people go to Thailand. Is it the spicy food, the cheapness of living, the hospitality of its people, the weather? Many people have their reasons for going to Thailand. Markets, massages and all, among the strongest of mine most certainly is the Mango Sticky Rice. Thank you, Thailand, or in other words, ขอขอบคุณ.

Bailey Sue