I returned to Bangkok, taking this minivan rather than the big bus because the big bus was full. I was looking forward to enjoying the Lunar New Year in Chinatown, during the year of the Snake.
On Jan. 24, Bangkok’s PM2.5 levels surged from 108 to a peak of 119 micrograms per cubic meter, nearly five times the WHO’s hazardous air pollutant threshold.
The government imposed emergency measures in the capital due to high PM2.5 levels, including work-from-home directives for civil servants and the closure of over 350 public schools to protect children from harmful exposure.
The government partnered with public transport providers to offer free subway, skytrain, and bus services from January 25 to 31 to reduce private vehicle use.
I took the skytrain to Hua Lamphong train station and bought a night train ticket to Chiang Mai for February 3rd. The sleeper carriages were full for the next two weeks, so I bought a seat instead.
I strolled to Chinatown, where the New Year’s celebration was vibrant, with people, banners, and food stalls lining the streets.
The first temple I visited on Yaowarat Road was Thain Fah Mun Hospital, a leprosy hospital, as indicated by the Kanji script. The front area is a temple for offering food, drink, candles, and incense.
This year, the main stage had performers, but the lion dragon pole dance area was missing. Traffic on Yaowarat Road remained, unlike previous years when it was blocked off. Despite these issues, there were many food and drink options.
There were lots of food and drink choices.
They sold knick-knacks, including a clowder of Hello Kitty cats and red clothing popular during Chinese New Year.
On my way back to the metro, I visited Wat Traimit, a 13th-century temple with a solid gold Buddha.
This Buddha was covered with plaster, and only in 1955, when the plaster fell off, did they realize it was solid gold. Since then, visitors have thronged to this Wat.
On my way back to my hotel, I spotted a cupboard of pandas outside a shopping mall.
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