Finally I did manage to visit the new Maharach tunnel which has been recently opened to the public. About four years ago, tourism was the main income earner of the country as more and more Chinese tourists came to Thailand. I could still remembered my last visit to the Grand Palace four years ago. I could hardly walk without bumping into hundreds of Chinese tourists who had taken over all the spaces inside and around the Grand Palace. The traffic in front of the Palace was terrible as cars had to wait for hundreds of Chinese tourists crossing the road. Hundreds of tourist buses were parked in the parking area in Sanam Luang (the big square in front of the Palace).
So, the authority started to improve facilities and infrastructure to accommodate more Chinese tourists and to solve the traffic problems around sightseeing locations. The construction of the pedestrian tunnel in front of the Grand Palace began as the plandemics began and the lockdown was implemented. Many analysts were saying that new records high in the numbers of tourists could be expected for years so the authority should improve infrastructure around sightseeing spots. Since there was no tourism over the past two years, the construction of the Maharach tunnel slowly went under way amidst empty roads with hardly any traffic.
I took the express boat to get to the nearest pier to the Grand Palace called Thachang Pier. Thachang means a special place where Royalties would mount on elephants’ backs. In the old days, people traveled by boats so there were piers dotted along the river. Thachang pier is just two minutes’ walk to the Grand Palace. For long distance travel on land, wealthy people with high ranks would travel by elephants. At some old palaces, strange high platforms for positioning elephants so people could mount on elephants could still be observed. The National Museum, which used to be an old palace, had two such platforms. Several platforms could be seen inside the Grand Palace if one knew what to look for.
Thachang pier has been reconstructed into a spacious and modern pier suitable for handling a few hundred tourists on a busy day. I was quite impressed with the new design and plenty of space for leisurely walking around or taking photos of the river. The path towards the Grand Palace were flanked by old shop-houses selling fruits, drinks, fast food and souvenirs. The whole place looked very neat and clean. But there were very few tourists walking around; the Chinese tourists have not yet returned to Bangkok. Several tourists’ spots and piers have been renovated and upgraded to cope with massive rise in tourism. Unfortunately, the plandemics had robbed many people’s dreams and expectations.
The entrance to the Maharach tunnel could be found only twenty meters away from the pier. This must have been the most expensive and elegant pedestrian tunnel in Bangkok. People could walk over to the Grand Palace, the City Pillar Shrine and Sanam Luang. People do not have to cross over the roads at zebra crossings any more. The tunnel was decorated with marble and old photos of the Grand Palace were hung on the wall. The foundation of old bricks around the Palace and walls have been preserved. During the digging of the roads and foundations, hundreds of old stone statues were unearthed and these were put on show in the Grand Palace. So, I should visit the Grand Palace in the near future, perhaps when the monsoon rain give me a break.
The atmosphere was very nice and relaxing inside the tunnel. The air conditioning was very cool and so comfortable that several elderly people had their picnic on the wooden benches inside the tunnel. It’s a nice and quiet place to have a rest or a nap after a long walk! Some tourists were sitting on the marble floor while planning their next sightseeing activities. Near the entrance of the tunnel, most shops were still closed as there were very few tourists around Bangkok.
Most guided tours traveling on big buses haven’t materialised yet. The prospect of financial troubles around the globe might put people off traveling overseas. The international political atmosphere has also become very risky and threatening so many people wouldn’t be able to take holidays abroad. I just hope and pray that things would improve soon so that ordinary people could get on with living and simple livelihoods.
Wishing you peace, good health and prosperity.
Stay strong and cheerful.