Bangkok Week 176 November 10, 2011 The floods hit close-to-home (but not quite home yet). Bangkokians adapt accordingly. View fullsize This shop didn't get the memo about constructing a cement wall. View fullsize Teens lean on the new cement walls, dreamily wishing they could be on the other side. View fullsize The wall's a very classy touch to this new Japanese restaurant. View fullsize Demonstration: how to climb over the wall to get into the mini-mall. View fullsize On Saturday outside Chatuchak Market, water was coming... but still confined to this middle lane. View fullsize You can see the water under the skytrain tracks... but the road is still passable by normal vehicles. View fullsize We were out-camera'd by the even more enthusiastic flood tourists. View fullsize Down on the street, enterprising vendors are selling life jackets and rubber boots. View fullsize On Sunday at Paragon's grocery store, extreme panic shopping and hoarding! View fullsize The Mazda dealership next to our apartment apparently doesn't plan to sell or service any cars in the near future. View fullsize In Ari, there are suddenly lots of rubber boot vendors. View fullsize The competition, directly across the sidewalk, sells more colorful options. View fullsize Stores have started to label their sandbag -- apparently those are being hoarded now, too? View fullsize This 7-11 dog can't figure out what the heck the fuss is about, or why these heavy bags are taking up his normal spot. View fullsize Do note that this photo was taken in the middle of the central business district, where there's zero threat of flooding. View fullsize Back at Chatuchak Market / Mo Chit BTS station on Tuesday: the situation has changed dramatically since Saturday. View fullsize What was once Phahonyothin Road is now Phahonyothin Canal. View fullsize Those brave commuters who still transfer here to their bus have to wade through knee-deep water, with the assistance of the army. View fullsize Only few buses still pass through these "streets" -- and wait a long time at this terminal station, to maximize their passenger loading. View fullsize Flatbed or pickup trucks with ladders in the rear are now a common site (and form of transport). View fullsize An alternative to taking the bus. View fullsize Look closely: this truck has 5 park benches and a ladder to climb on and off. View fullsize An army truck transporting civilians to... who knows where. Dedicated, but not-so-express service. View fullsize That's about it for rush hour traffic, on a "road" that's usually badly jammed. (That's a subway entrance in the background.) View fullsize Waiting for the bus? They may be waiting for a while... View fullsize This guy's wares were bobbing up and down in the styrofoam container behind him. View fullsize Not clear where this guy was trudging to. View fullsize Normally, this is one of the busiest parking lots in Bangkok -- a favorite point for park-and-ride commuters and a major van pick-up spot. View fullsize Is he waiting for his van? View fullsize I know this pick-up's not taking these people to their parked cars. So where... View fullsize Daily rush hour commutes are much less crowded these days -- also, a new trend in fashion! View fullsize Yaaay! A new 5-year multi-entry visa to Canada! Is this cause for celebration (or constipation)??
