Bangkok Under Water

For several weeks flood waters have slashed their way through one-third of Thailand beginning in the northern provinces around Chiang Mai and spreading into the heart of Bangkok. This is becoming known as the worst flood to hit the country in over fifty years as the relentless waters are now progressively engulfing the capital. Some people are even referring to Bangkok as the ‘New Atlantis.’ Though I would like to stray away from eye-catching words such as these perpetuated by the main stream media, it is still very clear that the destruction from the flooding is boundless. One woman remarked, “I have lived here all my life and I have never seen it this bad,” before trudging on down the sidewalk. Thus far, the floods have claimed around 366 lives and is estimated to have caused at least 6.2 billion dollars in damages; crippling the nation’s economy.

I spent the better part of today wading for miles through knee to waist high water documenting those who have been forced out of their homes. This being my first time covering a natural disaster I struggled to cope with the sheer immensity of the situation. Down each street and highway I could see no end to the flooding except for the high ground of freeway overpasses lined with abandoned cars. Thai military vehicles and flat-bed trucks slowly made their way through the waters, loading up individuals to transport them to a safer area across the Chao Phraya river. At one point a man I was photographing spoke to me and said, “I am sorry you come to Thailand. We are not happy anymore. We have no home.”

While it is completely understandable to fall into despair after loosing one’s home I am awestruck by the general positivity of the Thai people. The reaction I received from most people wading through the brown and murky waters seemed to affirm that though they have lost almost all of their worldly possessions they are still thankful to be alive and with loved ones. It is truly a beautiful experience to witness a loving and compassionate spirit arise in individuals, as well as an entire nation, in a time of so much pain and suffering.

A boy and his father row through the streets.

A man helps carry an elderly woman through the water.

Child floating in a basket.

A woman squats on a sand bag wall waiting to be picked up.

Boy wading through the water.

Pulled from the flood.

A man carrying his possessions to safety.

A father assists his son through the flood.

A woman praying atop a bridge.

Preserving Buddhist Culture

After winding through the crowded and endless back alleys of Bangkok's Chinatown, filled with mechanic shops, industrial supplies, and men with oil covered hands, I entered a small but somewhat known area by the name of Ban Baht, or the Monk's bowl village. This cluster of low roofed shacks, tucked away in a small corner at the base of the Golden Mountain Temple, is where several families generate a living by forging the sacred Alms bowls used by Buddhist monks. Alms bowls, sometimes know as begging bowls, are one of the most quintessential objects in a monk's possession. Every morning monks will take to the streets holding out their bowls to receive food or money from fellow Buddhists; which are said to date back to when The Buddha was given a bowl of rice when meditating under a Bodhi tree.

In our current global system, the majority of Alms bowls are mass produced in China. The families of Ban Baht are some of the remaining craftsmen/craftswomen who strive to hold on to their ancient culture by forming these sacred bowls without using a factory. Eight steel pieces (representing the wheel of the Dharma) are hammered together, fired, and joined by copper before being polished and coated several times by black lacquer. This time intensive process provides a usual output of one bowl per day.

Because of this slow process the people of Ban Baht hold strong in their beliefs that their struggle to continue this sacred practice will be supported by faithful Buddhists and tourists alike.

Hand crafted Alms bowls kindling in the fire.

Woman tending to the Alms fire.

Craftsman showing his work in progress.

Grinding away.

Portrait of a craftsman.