Great Beyond Episode 17

Atlant Media

13 hours ago

Transcript

01:00It is a temple of truth, the highest wooden structure in the world.

01:05And while the construction is not yet finished, visitors are already allowed in.

01:11However, it is necessary to put on a helmet.

01:30It is necessary to put on a helmet.

01:34It is necessary to put on a helmet.

01:37It is necessary to put on a helmet.

01:39It is necessary to put on a helmet.

01:53The

02:16concept of the Temple of Truth is to unite different faiths of Buddhism under one roof.

02:22There are several halls here, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Cambodian.

02:28Every wall of this 105-meter building, both inside and out, is completely covered with

02:34the most complicated carvings.

02:52250 builders and woodcarvers who take turns with each other while working are creating

03:05this unique masterpiece.

03:07And even if the Temple is completed, the work on it will never end.

03:20He perceives a philosophical meaning to this.

03:23The perception of truth is an endless work.

03:27The only material of this Temple is stick hood.

03:32And they say they are not using any metal nails.

03:36It looks like they are lying.

03:53When workers build in one part, the other part under construction because the wood has

03:58ability to recognize it.

04:16Many Thais cannot afford to buy a car.

04:19However, a two-wheeled vehicle is much more affordable.

04:23And they can receive rather attractive loans to purchase one.

04:27It is therefore normal to have one or even two mopeds in a Thai family.

04:32Thus, you get that constant noise and the perpetual traffic jams which are a familiar picture of Thai life.

04:39For the most Thai people, motorcycle, scooter and motorbike, it's one of the common and easiest ways to get around.

04:47But for this guy, it's not just the type of transportation.

04:51It's something more.

04:53And now you will see why.

04:55This is a small and rather unremarkable workshop in the Bataya Gateway.

05:00Here, we see an interesting group of men messing around with some old motorcycles.

05:05One man in this group, wearing an odd white t-shirt, stands out among the others.

05:10As he is working, it becomes hypnotizing to watch the way he creates and makes things very neatly

05:17and with such obvious pleasure.

05:20My name is Samad Phongpel.

05:22Nice to meet you.

05:23I have met with you too.

05:25This is the owner of this unique workshop where he makes custom motorcycles.

05:30Custom-made motorcycles like Yamahas, Hondas and Harleys

05:34get a new life here.

05:36They become unique bikes, often quite exclusively.

05:39How do you become interested in motorcycles and when it happens?

05:45My father had an old Harley from the 50s.

05:49He harsed around with it for days every weekend in the garage and I helped him.

05:54That's why motorcycles have been my fondness since childhood.

05:57What is motorcycle for you?

06:03What do you feel when you're working on it, making something new, something special?

06:09It's not just a hobby for me.

06:12I have been living and breathing motorcycles for almost 20 years and I always wanted to be

06:17the best in my business.

06:18There was a time when I took part in all competitions.

06:22Year after year I won in the most prestigious national and international competitions.

06:27And then I decided to quit.

06:30We must give away to the young because you realized with the increase of years that you

06:34should work not for rewards, but for creation of something that nobody has anywhere.

06:39So people come to me to get it.

06:42Who usually buy from you?

06:45Basically, Italians, Germans and Australians come to me, particularly Italians.

06:51They like fancy custom motorcycles.

06:53They like to stand out.

06:55Do you have a favorite bike that you put your soul in it and you want it to sell?

07:02Every bike is like a child to me.

07:05I break away every bike from my heart, but I need to make money.

07:10Salma Pempe was not bad at all at this.

07:15Quite recently, a customer from Germany bought a custom motorcycle from him for more than 2 million

07:21baht, which is about 60,000 US dollars.

07:25Such cases are not uncommon.

07:34Okay, thank you very much.

07:36I wish your workplace will be bigger and you will have more success.

07:40With all your motorcycles.

07:42Thank you very much.

07:44Maria, despite her desire to try it, did not dare to drive such a powerful bike.

07:49First, you need to learn to drive something more calmer, shall we say.

07:54Like a scooter or maybe a moped.

07:58It's a better idea to do that a little further away from the tourist parts of Bataya with fewer

08:04people and much slower traffic on the roads.

08:07Somewhere like in the small town, a pie located on the very north of the country.

08:16You can rent a scooter or a moped basically on every corner in any Thai town.

08:22Prices start at, well, about 400 baht per day.

08:26That's only 15 US dollars.

08:28The best way to explore small town is by scooter, so I will need one.

08:33According to the rules, you can rent a moped if you're 18 years old, have a driver's license,

08:41a photocopy of your passport and, of course, a deposit of several thousand baht.

08:46Actually, it's a rare case where somebody actually checks your documents.

08:52Normally, you just pay for it and go.

08:54No break.

08:55No break.

09:04It's very scary.

09:07Break, break, break.

09:10Small place like Pai, the easiest for to learn how to drive scooter if you never tried,

09:16as me.

09:17Just half an hour and I'm ready to go.

09:19In reality, a two-wheeled vehicle is the ideal option for traveling around Thailand.

09:32It's much cheaper than a rail car and much more convenient than a public transport.

09:38The main thing, especially for beginners, is to keep your eye on the road because the scenery

09:45here is just so beautiful everywhere.

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