Locky's English Playground: 20 Feb 2013

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Travelling & Living: Bangkok...or...Japan?

Masked Rider in Bangkok
Image from Locky's English Playground

There's something very Japan about Bangkok.

You may argue, Japanese culture is almost everywhere around the world and it's definitely more widespread than Chinese culture. True, Taiwan and Hong Kong, for example, both enjoy such cultural merger, but not quite as apparent as Bangkok does.

One Piece packet drinks
Image from Locky's English Playground

First, we don't get drinks with One Piece printed on the packet. Sure you may say there's probably Hello Kitty ones, but we are not talking about cuteness here, it's coolness!

Second, you don't get 1-to-1 ratio Ultraman and Masked Rider from mall to mall.

Third, shops are almost duplicates of what you get to see in Hokkaido or Tokyo too, although the staff still uses Thai as their main language of communication after the not-so-accurate "Irasshaimase!"

Hokkaido ice-cream cafe in Bangkok
Image from Locky's English Playground

Everything including the decor to atmosphere gives you that very Japan-like feeling, makes you want to go in and relax. I wonder how come they can make such amazing copies. Has to be funded by Japanese investors, right? I suppose so, because some massage and spa centres have only got Japanese words on their walls and no Thai or English. If they don't have enough business in Thailand, who will open shops like that?

Shibuya?
Image from Locky's English Playground

Fourth, architecture wise, what do you think about the Toyota showroom building as well as the line of Toyota cars in front of the building? I think that's highly fancy, nothing Thai at all!

Toyota Showroom
Image from Locky's English Playground

Let's not forget, there is always some oversized product that sticks out of the building to remind you what is the latest Japanese hip in town.

Care for an EOS-1DX? The guy standing next to the post wants one.
Image from Locky's English Playground

Fifth, is it just food and technology all the way? Nope, even apps have ads here. There are hugely enlarged LINE sticker signs in every large shopping mall I visited, there's no way you can miss it.

Me and James of Naver LINE
Image from Locky's English Playground

Even if you do miss them, your phone will get SMS to remind you that by adding the official account only available in Thailand, you will get Thailand-only LINE stickers. I've got a set from Singha the water/beer company, Vogue and Thai Airways.