TUESDAY 5TH DECEMBER 2006

The KING'S BIRTHDAY!!! Went to the park (outside the palace) in the day but it was far too hot & looked like celebrations hadn't started yet so headed back to the ranch to chill for the day. Returned to the park in the evening, well tried to return should i say :) Crowds were epic! The thai people are mental (but in a nice way). They'd sat in the blistering heat all day to wave at a passing car that had the King in! Emersed ourselves in the local culture - a kind thai lady gave us a yellow candle to light in honour of the King. Kym held the lit candle for all of a second then "kindly" passed it over to me - could have had something to do with the hot candle wax dripping & burning her hand! I sucked it up though. Watched a fireworks display then tried to make our way through the crowds to get into the park grounds. First time i've ever been one of the biggest ones in a crowd. Kym was not as lucky! She took a battering from the local women who were keener than most to hurredly get to the park. Eventually managed to escape the carnage.I reckon it was worth staying in Bangkok for though.