All the fun of an old-fashioned temple fair
Credit: The Nation (www.nationmultimedia.com)
By PHOOWADON DUANGMEE
The Golden Mount at Wat Saket holds it annual fair complete with a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round and freak shows
“A woman with two heads! A little mermaid and her fish tail!” the show-master shouts, beckoning the crowds to his freak-show at the Golden Mount inside the Wat Saket compound. “Spare just Bt10 and see them live here.”
Outside the venue, the little mermaid poster has curious spectators wondering if she might be the long-lost twin of Phatcharapha “Um” Chaichue - a sexy actress and drama queen from Channel 7. Even though I know this is going to be a curiosity-kills-the-cat kind of experience, I join the throng and cough up my Bt10 coin.
“What a cheap trick,” says one college girl, once her curiosity is fulfilled.
The mermaid in question looks more like a serious victim of insomnia. As the cheerful spectators poke their head around the curtain, the mermaid sits half-sleeping behind the figure of fish tail. Forget bare breasts too - the mermaid at the Golden Mount is clad in a tight, crocodile t-shirt.
The show of two-headed woman is much more absurd yet amusing - and I have no intention of spilling the beans. Spend you own Bt10 - it’s worth it - and see it with your own eyes.
Besides the freak shows, the annual temple fair at the Golden Mount offers a large dose of sweet nostalgia.
Food stands, t-shirt stalls and craft shops jostle for position on both sides of the circular path going around the steep hill inside the Wat Saket compound. Foodies in search of palate-teasing adventures can sample everything from deep-fried crickets to roasted chicken to other exotic foods.
Next to the huge chapel, country musicians, comedians and cultural showcases take turn to entertain fans every night.
For a cheap thrill, you can queue up with young college students for a ride on the old-fashioned Ferris wheel or merry-go-around.
There are also a few shops with popguns, the old-fashioned kind of popgun that use a cork from fish-sauce bottle.
“You can aim at any doll out there,” says the stallholder, offering me a set of corks for the popgun and pointing to the wall of small rabbit dolls three metres away from the firing line. “If you’re sharp enough to hit the doll, it’s yours.”
Like many who believe they’re sharp enough, I spend Bt200 on the corks only to leave the shooting range without a single doll. There is something about the gun … or perhaps it’s the dolls!
Everyone visiting the temple fair at Wat Saket, braves the steep path to the top of Golden Mount. But only a few are prepared for the crowds. Together with the throngs of festival-goers, I wait for an hour to get to the top.
But the wait is worth it. Half-wrapped by the huge, red robe, the pagoda looks more beautiful at night, especially when it’s illuminated by beams of light. From here, on the top of Golden Mount, you can see the Grand Palace glowing in the distance. Every second you catch a sweet sound of bell lingering in the air.
Looking straight down, the illuminated circular path looks like a huge ring of fire. I stop for a while and try to figure out where the freak show and the mermaid are located but have no luck.
IF YOU GO
The temple fair of Golden Mount runs until Sunday night. Don’t drive there because there is no parking area. Instead, take the BTS to National Stadium station, and get a tuk-tuk (Bt50).
A short walk from the Golden Mount of Wat Saket, the City Hall is also organising a series of cultural and festive shows with a retro theme.
Some of the most impressive activity is at Phra Athit Pier, a short walk from khao san
Credit: The Nation (www.nationmultimedia.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment