Thursday, March 18, 2010

Bangkok: skytrain and the world cup

The skytrain in Bangkok is a simple, speedy means of transportation. My attempts to travel from point A to point B two weekend ago usually involved at least one leg via skytrain. Similar to the St. Louis metro in traveling above ground, it offers a unique view of the city. Riding in the train on passes by carnival, shopping mall, slum and park alike in just enough time to acknowledge their existence.
One of the most entertaining aspects of riding the skytrain is easily the series of 6-7 commercials which play repetitively.
There was the Mister Happy Donut commercial: a tale of love lost and then found again over the powdery freshness of donuts.
Another favorite was the KFC fried fish sandwich commercial, the young girl in pigtails giving the most perfect expression of cheeky satisfaction I have seen on a Thai face.
But the best without a doubt was the Pepsi commercial for the world cup when the various Intl. ballers (Messi, Henry, Torres, Drogeo) challenge a group of South African boys to match, the winners claiming the bottles of Pepsi. In this commercial the villagers are the borders of the pitch, moving during the game to give the boys the edge. Through tall grass, around trees, over rodent holes they go... great fun. At the end there is celebration and body painting. The painted players are used in advertisements around town. Below are a few:












Bangkok: North Market with Jess



























Bangkok: MBK with Chii









Bangkok: Putting on the Ritz