The Bund

It has been a while since my last post. We have pretty much settled down in Shanghai. It was kind of windy this morning, but we still made our first trip around the Bund. Of course, I visited my Dad's office at the Bangkok Bank (the Bund No. 7).



The Royal Standard is embellished with a Phya-Khrut. Phya translates to "king," "ruler," or "lord." Khrut translates to Garuda; i.e. "a mythical bird with a human body and head, wings and talons of an eagle". The Phya Khrut is the national symbol of Thailand, and is such is to be displayed and handled with respect and care. Those few businesses – by definition large and influential ones – that display the Phya Khrut on the front of their buildings are privileged to do so as a consequence of explicit approval by the Thai government. (reference: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/th_royal.html#gar)