Lumphini Park

While staying in Bangkok, we went out running in Lumphini Park a couple of times - I would definitely recommend you check it out if you are in the city.

Yesterday, we were having a nice jog in the late afternoon on the main 2.5 km track which goes around the park. There were many other people around, mainly joggers. Suddenly a whistle blew and everyone stopped, quite literally, in their tracks. A song was playing out of the loudspeakers around the park, and everyone (pedestrians, runners, cyclists, people stretching on the grass or reading a book on a bench) stood still for the duration of the song. It took us a couple of seconds to realise what this was about, and to stop ourselves running: everyday at 8am and 6pm, the Thai national anthm ("Phleng Chat") is played in public places (train stations, parks, shopping centres; apparently in cinemas, it is played before the showing of any film) and people have to stand up and show respect to the nation. Can you imagine if there was such a law in Britain? I wonder how many people would solemnly pay their respects to the Queen and her family twice a day!

It was a surreal thing to witness: one minute, everyone and everything is moving around you, and the next, all is still. Gary was commenting that we could be in some sci-fi movie, where time would have stopped.

After our run, we did a few stretches on the grass, right by a bit of track where there was a giant aerobic class going on. Picture between 100 and 150 people dressed in lycra, moving to the music together (and the moves where rather complex... then again, maybe I'm just saying that cos I am personally hopeless at doing any kind of dance step...). Up to 150, together!! It looked really good. Every now and then, someone (probably one of the three instructors leading the crowds at the front) would shout something, and everyone would chant back.

I know I am supposed to go on about sunsets over the sea on the beach etc., but I have to say so far that was the best time we've had watching the sun go down! Great fun.

Our guide book says that if you go to Lumphini Park very early in the morning, you will see herds of people doing Tai'Chi and street stands set up all over the place, where they sell snake blood (reputed in Thailand for its health benefits... I'll trust their word for it). We haven't had the chance to go at that time of day (you don't get to go to sleep before 3am when you stay on the Khao San Road, nevermind getting up at 5am!) but definitely will next time I'm in Bangkok.

We are leaving tonight, taking an overnight train off to Chaing Mai. We are both looking forward to being up there: everyone has been raving on about the North of Thailand...
C x