Sign of the Times

In most government buildings one finds only, well, government offices. But Thailand is not like anywhere else. While waiting for my visa to be updated at Immigration in the sleek new glass and steel Government Complex, I wandered into the vast central hall which was filled with stall after stall of food, clothing, leather goods and jewelry. Although patterned after the bustling outdoor markets, this Singaporean-style indoor air conditioned market was sparkling clean, surreally subdued and caught in the echoes bouncing off interior walls. Vendors were similarly subdued, lacking the energy and smiles found at all outdoor markets. If this is the future of Thai markets, it is a sad foreshadowing. It's much too sterile to be authentic; Much too American "mall-ish."
Photo courtesy of Carlos Anendegui.