Today I was given a tour of the ruins of the old city "across the river" where life is different, where opportunities are for those that come from a background of an Indian and Chinese heritage. Walking through blocks of land that have Chinese shrines of 80+ years, knowing that people lived off the land and river for generations makes the farang experience seem so shallow.
When the Burmese burned down the capital city of Ayutthaya in the late 1700s and the seat of power was moved to Bangkok, they first settled across the river where we were walking. Today I saw walls of ancient palaces and government houses now lying in ruins, just waiting to be brought back to life and appreciated. This is the city that makes Bangkok as famous for its history as for its sex industry.
Now please understand, I am not saying this is still not a fucked up country with its politics and separation of classes. But get behind the scenes and off the streets for the real Bangkok to see what no one else sees and understands.
