Because I had to wait for another test the following day, this day was open for anything I wanted to do. I had planned to fly out today but had to reschedule my departure for 48 hours. I went to a computer mall to pick up a few things and along the way noticed the sights and sounds of the city. Particularly I noticed the reverence for Thailand's king.

The small side streets off the main traffic arteries in Bangkok are called sois. This is a typical soi where lots of people live close together with all the shops and stalls around to support them.

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born in 1927 and in June of this year marked 70 years on the throne, the longest serving monarch in the world. He is revered as semi-divine in Thailand and now that he is in ailing health, there are all sorts of public displays of loyalty and affection. Here the yellow flag of the king is displayed outside a downtown building.

The yellow flag of the king flying from a construction crane.

Here the king's flag and the flag of Thailand are displayed on a sontag, a pickup truck converted to a taxi.

Even a Hindu shrine in Bangkok displays the king's standard.

A small photo of the king is hung on the side of a downtown building.

A much larger display has been erected by a private company on their property along a downtown street.

Another large display, in a residential neighborhood, that is a little less formal and fancy but still reflects the strong love and devotion of the Thai people.