The newest Bangkok Dispatch from the Times by Hannah Beech. Excellent photos and summary of the unique fruits Thailand exports to the region. This is controversial to many close to me, but I am a huge fan of the durian along with most of the other fruits profiled here:

Eating Thai Fruit Demands Serious Effort but Delivers Sublime Reward (NYT)

I particularly appreciate the theme of hardship embodied by these fruits and the Thais who harvest, supply and enjoy them. My narrow perception of Bangkok is that it is a city convulsing with political, social and economic violence that seemingly everyone pretends is normal. Not unlike the heat there, it’s too overwhelming to ignore but simultaneously too omnipresent to feel like you have anything novel to say about it. It’s just the way it is, you hydrate and move along.

Focused culture pieces like this one cut through that overbearing haze and locate the humanity within.

For another great example, check out Beech’s recent piece on Spirit Houses (NYT), an unique aspect to Bangkok’s topography and a different perspective on violence. Even better photos in that one, especially the final shot.