River Market/Tourist Trap

Before cars, rivers were the major source of transportation in Thailand. Only in a few places does it remain popular and it is mostly for tourists. On Friday, we went to the river market early in the morning.

Just settling in on the boat and getting ready for our excursion-

We navigated through many canals and finally reached the market with international patrons only. Prices were outrageous (800 baht for a silk shirt or about $21) but since Ma was with me, I was able to get things at a reasonable price (3 silk shirts for 750 baht or about $20). The market itself was small and few of the vendors were actually in their boats- most of them were in an open-air building right on the river.

She is making the tastiest coconut pancakes I'll ever have-


After the river market, we went to see the second largest pagoda in the world (the largest is in Malaysia) where there is apparently one of Buddha's bones, but we didn't see it because I got lost from the group while I was taking the following picture of a studying Monk-




Finally was the trip to the wax museum, "Human Imagery Museum" as they called it. This is me with all of the kings (from Rama I to the present Rama IX) of Thailand (Siam).

And these are some children in traditional garb with traditional hairstyles playing a game.


Studying chess moves.




Me and Abe just chillin'.


The figure on the bottom left is not a wax figure- her name is Risa, she is a past President of the Prahnburi Rotary Club and owner of a golf resort in Hua Hin. She is paying her respects to the figure of the monk.