Copyright © 2004 by Matthew Ellks. As the plane started descending for its landing at Bangkok Airport I couldn't help but notice the coastal resort of Pattaya. Being a surfer I constantly check coastlines from aircraft but this time instead of seeing swells I was looking at hotels spiraling into the sky like modern day pyramids. To an Aussie it resembled Surfers Paradise except highlighted between them were large patches of green vegetation which stretched back into a vast green jungle. Gazing through the clouds the structures seemed surreal. They evoked a contemplative almost subconscious state of mind although the in-flight beers probably contributed to that. The scene was surely a portrayal of East meets West. The plane landed on a tarmac steaming from the afternoon heat and I wondered