Thailand – Page 16

Zebras in Thailand

After I moved to Thailand from Africa, I noticed that Thais seemed to be infatuated with zebras. Zebra figurines are very popular in Thailand.

I’ve seen them at Buddhist temples, along roadsides, and in markets.

Zebras are not native to Thailand. They’re originally from Africa and live in the wild in countries like Zambia, my previous home. The only places in Thailand where you can find live zebras are in zoos and at Safari World in Bangkok. (Note: I haven’t been to Safari World, but after going on safari in Africa, I’m not sure that I want to see it!)

I wondered about this interesting phenomenon and searched the Internet looking for information about Thais’ preoccupation with zebras.

I didn’t find much. According to blogging site Women Learning Thai, the Bangkok Post had an insert that explained (vaguely) the symbolism behind the zebra:

“Animals are an important icon in Buddhism to remind people about their relation to the natural world. There is an interesting theory about why the zebra is the chosen statue around some Thai spirit houses. It’s believed that because a pedestrian zebra crossing is technically a ‘safe zone’ on the road, placing the statue at shrines can bring the same sort of protection to an individual. It is alleged that a monk told one truck driver to deploy zebra statues to ensure a safe path to success, and over time other Thais began placing similar statues.”

I have another theory. Zebras are black and white, which also happen to be the colors of yin and yang. If the story of the monk suggesting the zebra as a symbol of a safe path is true, it’s possible that he may have been influenced by Taoist thought.

Personally though, I prefer real zebras in the wild. There’s nothing like coming across a herd of zebras and knowing that your path is safe. If it weren’t safe, there wouldn’t be a zebra in sight!

Bangkok Flooding Update with Photos

October 17, 2011

6:00 p.m. Local Time

Bangkok, Thailand

This weekend I drove around areas of Bangkok flooded by the Chao Phraya River. The water had crested its banks by 1.5 meters and flooded temples, businesses, and homes located along the river. We saw work crews busy building makeshift levees with sandbags and dirt mounds at points along the road deemed most likely to withstand the flood.

As long as the river does not rise another two meters, I think the urban areas of Bangkok will be spared from large-scale flooding. The area that I toured in Nonthaburi Province is considered at higher risk than Bangkok.

Based on my own observations, I think that we are safe for now. However, if the river rises 3-5 meters more, we’ll all be in trouble. From the looks of it though, I think the floodwaters here will be minimal.

Update, 8:30 p.m. Local Time

According to a news article in the Bangkok Post, a water barrier in Pathum Thani’s Khlong Luang district about 30 kilometers to the north of Nonthaburi ruptured earlier today, flooding the area. Hold on; we’re not through this yet.

October 18, 2011

7:30 p.m. Local Time

Bangkok, Thailand

We’ve been informed that the flooding at Khlong Luang district should not affect us in Nonthaburi. For the time being, we’re safe, although Bangkok is still an island surrounded by flooded land to the north, east, and west. Let’s hope it drains to the Gulf of Thailand without more problems cropping up.

The following are photos I took over the past two days. Photos tell the story much better than I.

Bangkok Floods

October 14, 2011

7:00 p.m. Local Time

Bangkok, Thailand

You’ve probably heard about the flooding in Thailand that has left over 280 dead, millions displaced, and over six million hectares underwater. The estimated cost of the damage could run upwards of $5 billion by the time this is over. On the ground, the situation seems as serious as the media is portraying it to be, although the mood is generally upbeat. People are cautiously optimistic that the worst has passed. That, of course, is cold comfort to the million of people already affected by the flooding and the residents of eastern and western Bangkok who will soon be homeless as the excess water is siphoned through their areas. Nor does it take into account that the rains haven’t stopped yet. A thunderstorm with heavy showers just passed through the area.

As of this writing, the Bangkok suburb of Nonthaburi is still “dry.” The flooding is not as bad here as it is 45 minutes upriver in Ayutthaya. Water from the Chao Phraya River has overflowed the river’s banks about five kilometers from here and flooded the temple grounds at Wat Bangchak and neighboring Koh Kred Island. Flooding has not yet reached the city’s main thoroughfares, Chaengwatthana and Tiwanon roads. If the water breaches those fortified arterials and rises half a meter, then the flooding could spread here.

I’ve heard that water level will continue to rise through Monday, October 17. Until then, we’ll wait and see. We’ve hunkered down and made some preparations in the event that our home turns into a swimming pool. Regardless of the outcome, it will take awhile for life to get back to normal here for all of us.

Tomorrow I plan to drive around to survey the extent of the damage in the area and take photos. I will post them if I see flooding.