When I say 'up-market', I mean it literally: with striking similarities to the fururistic cities potrayed in so many Sci Fi movies, like Ridley Scott's Blade Runner (1982), in Bangkok the wealthy live above the workers.

Siam Square to Chidlom, without a doubt, reveals class structure through its verticle architecture . I think back to our first taste of Bangkok, and immediately think of it as the decaying part of the city that has not kept up with the technological advances afforded by the rich. For up here, with the immaculate Skyrail connecting one designer mall to another, you need never leave the comfort of air-conditioning. Of course we were only window shopping -- which I'd highly recommend, if only to see how the East does West.

From our elevated vantage point we also caught a first-hand glimpse of the political tension in Thailand. Although, now that we're safely back in Australia, and Bangkok has been placed under martial law (another step towards oppressing the underclass?), I'm rather glad we only experienced the earlier protest rallies. So not quite Utopia after all.