Scenes from a Small Downtown

Personal views of Ban Pong, Thailand, written by Susan Hill for use in 

Yupadee Petpimarnwong's workbook for Thai students of English, Developing Skills in English Communication.

 

Wandering the central downtown streets of the small Thai town called Ban Pong in Ratchaburi Province is a rich experience.  There are sights, smells and sounds to delight the senses.

 

Let’s walk together down the main street between the elephant statues and the Clock Tower.  Every few meters there is a food vendor whose products tempt even those who have just eaten and aren’t hungry.

 

Doctors’ and dentists’ offices line both sides of the street.  Patients sit in the small, crowded waiting areas and spill into the street, waiting for their turn to be seen.

 

One block to the west, the businesses are different.  There are fabric stores, jewelry shops, a hardware store and a huge market where vegetables, meats, fruits, and assorted clothing and household goods are for sale.  The sidewalks on this street are crowded by dragon jars filled with water, lotus flowers and tiny fish.

 

Vendors call out to customers, dogs bark and fight, and metal shop doors slam closed.   Motor cycles outnumber cars on the streets of Ban Pong, adding their noise to the rest of the sounds.  Cars and cycles beep their horns to warn each other of their location. 

 

Ban Pong is a fascinating town to explore.   Visitors will enjoy getting to know Ban Pong.

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