View from my Condo in Bangkok, Thailand

The view of the Bangkok Skyline from my condo on the 12th floor of the Saranjai Mansion, Soi 6. I got the place through Orchid Place, http://www.staywithorchid.com/

(photos by Randy Magnus)

A Walk Through of Soi Cowboy

Took this image during a walk through of Soi Cowboy. Went to see John at Cactus Bar but he wasn't around. Soi Cowboy is full of cart vendors and beer bars outside the gogo clubs. The motorcycle taxi guys stop cutting thru a little after 8pm, until then you have to watch your back.

Searching for Buddha at Wat Suthat, Bangkok

Walking through Wat Suthat in Bangkok, Thailand I found this black Buddha in one corner of the courtyard. The teachings of Buddha can be seen inside one of the halls.

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(photos and video by Randy Magnus)

Trip to Bangkok's Chinatown, 2012

A Monk at Wat Traimit offering blessings with water and by attaching string to people's wrists.

In Bangkok's Chinatown it was full of people in the tiny alleys looking for bargains.

Shopping for a hat during the Christmas holidays.

(photos by Randy Magnus)

Chinese Collecting Thai Buddhist Artifacts

Phipatsangworakhun (Thanom) from Wat Suthat inscribing the bottom of a Buddha statue that was just purchased by a small group from China, to bring it good luck and to increase its value.

Group from Shanghai, China with their just purchased and blessed by a Thai monk Thai Buddhist artifacts.

(photos by Randy Magnus)

Breakfast at The Tavern in Bangkok

I went to have a light breakfast at The Tavern on Soi Nana (Soi 4) this morning at 8:30am, and this guy was buying shots for the girls, and drinks for himself and this other couple.

I ordered my eggs and potatoes, and the guy decided to buy me a drink, so I ordered a screwdriver, vodka with orange juice. When my meal came he bought me a second.

The girl in the white dress said she had 15 shots of Baileys. She tells me "I've been in the bar business for a long time. I can handle it."
The other girl was feeling okay also. The guy's tab by 9am had come to 7,000 baht, or 230 dollars.

Fireworks for The King of Thailand Birthday Celebration

A few of the fireworks I saw from my balcony last night in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand's 85th birthday celebration. Long Live The King.

(photos by Randy Magnus)

The King's Birthday Celebration 2012

I had decided to have breakfast instead of going to see King Bhumibol of Thailand on his 85th birthday celebration. We were told that if we wanted to attend that we should be there at 8am. Here it was 10am, and people were waiting for the King to appear.
I went to see Tom 35, who scolded me, told me to get a yellow shirt from a street vendor, put on some long pants out of respect, and for me to go and see the King.

I did, took at motorcycle taxi (its the fastest way in Bangkok) for 150 baht. I saw a few walking away, and I thought I was too late. But I kept moving forward, photographing along the way through the ever more dense crowd.

I had arrived to the long street full of people, saw the King on the giant tv monitors, and stopped to photograph. Every time the King was shown on the monitors, everyone would wave their flags. It was very emotional.

I trekked on until I was about half way, almost to the statue of the King on the horse. And then it ended. I continued on to the front, photographing the people being photographed, the band and guards parading in front, the television crews, and everyone filing away from the scene. I too walked away along the hundreds of others. Found another motorcycle taxi race me back to my neighborhood as fast as he could in hopes of the driver to be able to return to get another customer.

Long Live The King.

(photos by Randy Magnus)

A Gathering of the Head Monks at Wat Suthat

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A morning of prayer, exchange of gifts, and the eating of food among the leading monks from the various temples around Bangkok took place at Wat Suthat on December 4, 2012, for a Memorial Service for Phra Sri Sajayanthera, ex-chief of Lodge no. 2 Wat Suthattepwararam.

(photos by Randy Magnus)

Tending to The Flowers

Tending to the flowers at the Weekend Market.

EST Cola in Bangkok

Here in Bangkok there is a new cola, EST Cola, which is out-marketing both Coke and Pepsi, they have good distribution, and good basic cola taste, and some young Thai heart throbs promoting it. He they are at the Bangkok Weekend Market.

(photos by Randy Magnus)

Getting A Foot Massage at Chatuchak Weekend Market

Me and my torturer.

Got a foot, leg, and shoulder massage at the Chatuchak Weekend Market for one hour for 300 baht. It was painful, especially my arches, top of the feet, and other parts.
I received the full hour massage that lasted through the rain storm.
A lot of people only get the 30 min. version of the torture.
She does this all day long on weekends, having a similar outcome as acupuncture, but with more pain; releasing internal stress and blockage.

Bangkok 2555

Bangkok 2555 by Randy Magnus |

Book of photographs from my experiences in Bangkok 2555 (2012 in western calendar) by Randy Magnus.

Blessing at the Morning Night Bar in Bangkok, 2012

The blessing of the bell to bring good fortune to the bar.

I stopped to see my favorite street tailor this morning to get my pants hemmed, and he told me to come back at 10, which I did only to find a Buddhist blessing at the Morning Night Bar next door that would start at 11.
Went home and got my book "Bangkok Party" to show of a similar event I had photographed 2 years ago.
Well, I got to eat with the manager Maew and her mom and photograph the blessing. Maew told me that she's in charge of 11 beer bar now. A big-time operator.


(photographs by Randy Magnus)

Celebrating Loy Krathong in Bangkok

'Loy' literally means 'to float,' while 'kratong' refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water.

We started by taking the bus over to the flower market of Bangkok to see the making of the flower and dough floating vessels that are used to float away your problems in the loy krathong ceremony. From there we stumbled upon a parade honoring the yearly event of dancers, musicians, and others dressed in native Thai clothing. Very beautiful.

Near the end of the parade that took place around the hospital that the King of Thailand resides in, the rain started pouring down. Everyone raced into an open lobby next to a food court, where the musicians and dancers performed.

From there we went along the river to watch the decorated barges float by, and across the river by ferry to the Temple of the Dawn, which was full of people watching the entertainment and dancing on a stage, floating their vessels of Loy Krathong into the water, and launching their hot air lanterns into the sky.

It was good to see the culturally historical clothing, dance, and music of the Thailand of yesterday, of the importance of the waterways in the history of Bangkok, and how it is appreciated and celebrated today in honoring their own tradition.

(photographs by Randy Magnus)

(Special thanks to Michael Khan of Wat Suthat for showing me around)