On one of my frequent rides around the city on my mountainbike the other day, I happened to ride by Khao San Road, via my favourite route (from Chinatown, along the river, through the Pak Klong Talad flower market, past Wat Pho, through Thammasat University, under the Pinklao Bridge and up soi Rambutree to Khao San, avoiding the drunk motorcycle taxi drivers along the way). As usual in this area, there is ample opportunity to glimpse a cross section of society so broad that the word ‘freak’ whimpers and hides when confronted with images of the famous soi. But I saw something that caught my eye and had to snap a picture – the Elephant Beer Bike.

Riding along Soi Rambutree, I saw a piece of art that was functional, useful and… well, ‘beautiful’ is a word I hesitate to use, but it sure was neat. You can’t tell, but there’s an artisan sitting behind that umbrella who is busy creating… stuff with the aluminum from discarded Chang Beer cans (chang means elephant in Thai). He had, for some reason, managed to make a sort of vague-motorcycle-y shape out of said cans that certainly made his ride home a unique one.

I'm trying to think of a witty comment. I can't. It's a Chang Beer Bike.

I’m trying to think of a witty comment. I can’t. It’s a Chang Beer Bike.

Not bad. I’m tempted to go and get my Trek 4300 pimped out… or at least Chang-ed out.