Bangkok, Thailand, has a lot to offer tourists and business people passing through. With some of the best hotels in the world at the some of the best prices, there has never been a better time to explore this amazing country. As one of the only countries in Asia to have never been colonised, and even with the enormous kick into the 21st century that Bangkok has experienced which makes it one of the most advanced cities in Asia, the Thai people have still managed to retain a lot of their beautiful culture and hospitality.
The names you have heard such as the land of Angels, the land of smiles are all true, and you can expect to have a great time when you are there. There is a lot to do when you are in Bangkok and depending how much time you have while you are there it is important to prioritise, and a little planning will help you to make the most of your time there. The section below will give you a few ideas of what there is to do in Bangkok, scroll down and see what grabs your interest.
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Spas: Thailand has some of the best spas in the world. Ever type of massage, and treatment is available at some of the best prices you will find anywhere. As this topic is so large we have devoted an entire page to the best Spas in Bangkok which list rates, treatments, pictures etc so that you can make an educated choice of where best to indulge in a bit of pampering.
Golf: For golf enthusiasts Thailand could quite easily be described as a golfers paradise, with so many golf courses to choose from at some of the best rates in the world. As with the spas, the topic of golf is too large to fit here so we have devoted a special page to golf giving you details of the best courses offered so you can enjoy Golf in Bangkok to the fullest.
Grand Palace: Is an absolute MUST, as it is an outstanding architectural achievement, that also houses the infamous Emerald Buddha, which is the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. We suggest that you go early in the morning to avoid the major crowds, it will still be busy but getting there around 9 am or 10 am will give you a little more space. Do not wear shorts when you visit, and if you are female we recommend that you do not wear sandals, skirts and suggest that you wear a long sleeved blouse or something. You will need to keep half the day if not more open to see everything and you will definitely need your camera with a lot of film handy. To get there, you can either take a taxi, or the Sky train to National Stadium stop and then a taxi from there, on the way back we recommend that you take one of the many taxi boats. The Grand Palace officially opens 8.30 am and closes 3.30pm. Admission fee costs 200 Baht and includes a ticket to the Vimanmek Royal mansion. It may be advisable to rent a Personal Audio Guide that will only cost 100 Baht for two hours, and comes in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Mandarin.
Snake Farm: Officially called the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, is definitely wirth a visit and the memory will linger for while after you have returned home. The snake farm is one of the largest producers of anti-venom Serum in Asia, and before going on to the show, they will explain to you how Serum is made, the difference between snakes and some other useful tips, such as what to do if you are faced by one ! After the educational period you are led outside, shown around the different snake pits and then to a stand where they will show you a snake show which includes feeding and other entertaining tricks. If you a bit queasy around snakes sit at the back of the small stand. The snake farm can be found on Rama IV, opposite the Suriawongse Road, and not far from the Pan Pacific Hotel. The closest Sky train stop is SalaDaeng. The shows begin at 11am and 2.30 pm on weekdays and 11 am on holidays, admission is 70 Baht.
Crocodile Farm: Is 30 kilometres away from Bangkok, and you can pretty much devote a whole day to it with transport etc included. It is very close to the Rose Garden so you might as well do them both at the same time. It is an enormous place with over 60,000 fresh and seawater crocodiles to see. They have feeding where you can buy chicken to throw to the crocs, and they also have a show every hour, where a brave or perhaps crazy guy puts his head inside the crocs head etc. If you do not have much time in Bangkok missing this will not be a serious mistake and something that you can always catch on another visit. Admission is 300 Baht for adults and 200 Baht for children. The farm opens from 7 am to 6pm. The farm also houses other creatures such as snakes, gibbons, lions, and trained elephants. They even have a small dinosaur museum, where life size dinosaurs and their skeltons are on display.
Floating Market: The infamous market that many articles on Bangkok, cover with pictures of Thais selling there fresh produce on boats. The market is some 80 Kilometres outside of Bangkok. You can take an organised tour, or take a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal. Everyday, hundreds of vendors boats crowd the market area early morning until around noon. You will be able to travel around in boat and see a little of what Thai village life is like. Although do remember that this is now a very famous excursion so it will not be your normal Thai village. It is best to get there early.
National Museum: This museum which is within walking distance from the Grand Palace is one of the largest in Southeast Asia. The museum was once used as a palace and consists of several old yet beautiful buildings of colour. The museum also houses many artifacts found from all parts of the country ranging from Neolithic times, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya to the modern Bangkok period. Admission is 40 Baht per person, and the museum is open everyday except Mondays, Tuesdays and annual holidays, from 9 am to 4 pm.
National Gallery Museum: Opposite the National Museum mentioned above, on Chao Fa Road, and exhibits traditional and contemporary works of art created by Thai artists. Opening times are the same as above, and the admission fee is 30 Baht.
Wha Mahathat: This is an old temple which was built during the reign of King Rama I. It is located on Na Phrathat Road near Thammasat University. The temple houses the Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, which is one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand. Foreigners can take advantage of the meditation classes that are offered. The temple opens from 9am to 5 pm daily.
Wat Pho: Neighbouring the Grand Palace the Wat Pho is found along Thai Wang Road and houses the very impressive gigantic gold plated reclining Buddha which is some 46 metres long and 15 metres high ! Its soles are inlaid with mother of pole ! Admission is 20 Baht and is open from 9 am to 5 pm.
Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun): Is on the other side of the Chao Phraya river. You can take a boat from the Tha Tien Pier near Wat Pho or by Arun Amarin Road. The temple is best known for its 79 metre high porcelain encrusted Pagoda that sparkles magnificently in the sun.
Wat Ratchanatdaram: This temple was built during the reign of King Rama III, in 1846 and is found along Mahachai Road. Loha Prasat is the temples main attraction, and stands 36 metres high with 37 surrounding spires, it is the only one of its kind in the world. Next to the temple is a statue of King Rama III.
Wat Indravihan: This temple is well known for its huge standing Buddha image called Luang Pho To, which measures 32 metres tall and 10 metres wide. It was built during the reign of King Rama IV, and is located on Wisutkasat Road in Bang Khun Phrom area.
Wat Bowon Niwet: This temple built in 1829 is the shrine-hall of Phra Phutthachinnasi, a very beautiful Buddha image which was moulded in around 1357. Wat Bowon Niwet is one of the most temples in Bangkok, whose one time chief abbot was King Rama IV, before he ascended to the throne. Other Chakri kings who resided here during there monkhood, include King Rama IV, King Rama VII as well as His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The temple can be found on Phra Sumen Road in the Bang Lamphu area.
Vimanmek Mansion Museum: Is definitely a great day out. The mansion is the worlds largest golden teak building. The 3 storey Royal mansion contains 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers containing Royal memorabilia.The compound located in the Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi Road, is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm and admission is 50 Baht. The dancing shows begin at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm. Proper attire is required. So no shorts, sandals etc.
Wat Trai Mit: Is located on Yaowarat Road in China Town, near the Hulamphong train Station. This temple houses a very impressive solid gold Buddha which weighs 5 and a half tonnes and is three metres in height ! This seated Buddha image was built in the Sukhothai period.
Erawan Shine: You will most probably come across this shrine, on your shopping tours or perhaps as you notice that your taxi driver is no longer holding the wheel, instead is performing a quick 'wai' and not looking at the road ahead of him ! The shrine is located next to Sogo, and the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The shrine is devoted to Phra Phrom, a Hindu God, who is greatly revered by Thai people. Laced flowers (Malee) and small wooden elephants as well as Thai dancing performances are always offered to this statue by grateful and hopeful devotees. The closest sky train station is Chidlom.
Philatelic Museum: If stamps are your thing you may be interested in the stamp museum located on the 1st floor of the Metropolitan Postal Bureau, behind the Sam Sen Nai Post office. Stamps and such are for sale. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm.
Ancient City: The largest outdoor museum in the world, which consists of gigantic sized replicas of famous buildings, monuments and temples that can be found all through Thailand. The area the museum covers is some staggering 280 acres, and is built into a shape that resembles the actual shape of Thailand. The Ancient City is at 33.km on Sukhumvit Road and is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm with admission costing 50 Baht per person.
Thai Boxing (Muay Thai): Thai Boxing or Muay Thai is becoming very well known around the world, and is a popular stop off for people who enjoy it. The two main stadiums are Ratchadamnoen Stadium on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road and is open Monday and Wednesday at 6 pm Thursday at 5 pm and 9 pm, and Sundays at 4 pm and 8 pm. The other major stadium is Lumpini Stadium on Rama IV Road, and fights are every Tuesday and Friday at 6pm and Saturday at 5 pm. You may want to ask the Hotel where you are staying at for tips on the best seats and even to get the tickets for you.
Shopping: With some of the shopping facilities in Asia, shopping is something you will not want to miss. Most of the shops, have some amazing discounts, sometimes as much as 80 % off. High quality goods can be had in the major shopping centres. Copy goods etc. can be found in most of the street stalls on Sukhumvit, or the Night Plaza in Patpong. To read about shopping in Bangkok please visit our page devoted to Shopping in Bangkok.
Night Life: Bangkok is famous around the world for its entertainment and night life. We have devoted a whole page to reviewing the Bars in Bangkok, please take a look.
Restaurants : Thailand has a culinary delight for you to explore, the food is now becoming more and more popular around the world, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand actively using their delicious food as a tourist attraction. There are thousands of restaurants in Bangkok, but knowing which are good and which mediocre is as difficult in a foreign land as it is in your home town. We have a page devoted to restaurants in Restaurants in Bangkok.
2007-10-27
Chatuchak Weekend Market Bangkok
Guide and travel tips for Bangkok's weekend market Chatuchak (Jatujak)
Chatuchak market (Bangkok, Thailand) is one of the largest markets in the world. Located opposite the old northern bus terminal along Phahonyothin it is a must for any traveller coming to Bangkok who has shopping on his/her mind.
The market is only open at the weekends, Saturday and Sunday from 7am until late. Some of the stalls do open during the week but not sufficient to warrant a visit. One alternative to Chatuchak is the new Suan Lum Night Bazaar which is open daily read our review of Shopping in Bangkok for more information.
The market is only open at the weekends, Saturday and Sunday from 7am until late. Some of the stalls do open during the week but not sufficient to warrant a visit. One alternative to Chatuchak is the new Suan Lum Night Bazaar which is open daily read our review of Shopping in Bangkok for more information.
Getting to Chatuchak has become a lot easier since the Skytrain system opened and now you can simply take the Skytrain to the end terminal called Morchit which is exactly where the market is located.
WHEN TO ARRIVE : the market officially opens at 7am and we recommend you get there by around 9am if not a little earlier! The market gets so busy later on that you will be happy for the couple of reasonably quiet, and cooler, hours that arriving early will afford you. Do note that during the hotter months of April and May the market can be unbearably hot, so getting there early is even more important.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE : Due to the fact that the market is so large we do not recommend that you go in large groups, it will be easier for you if there is just 2 or 3 of you, rather than a whole gang. Even if you are travelling part of a group cut yourselves up into groups of two or three and make it clear to the others that you are looking after your own pack rather than trying to keep an eye on 8 or 9 people. We also recommend that you do not use Chatuchak as a meeting place, it is highly recommended that you meet your friends somewhere else (such as a hotel in Bangkok) and then travel to Chatuchak together rather than try and meet them there. It is also recommended that you have a plan of action in case you get separated and cannot find each other.
SECURITY : Thailand is a very safe country, many expats living in Thailand claim that they feel safer in Thailand than they ever could if living in the US or large European cities. While this may be true, there is always a rotten apple in the barrel so certain precautions should be taken. We recommend to leave any valuables at the hotel, to be honest you really do not even need a handbag as if you are shopping all you need is money and sufficient hands to carry what you have bought. Therefore we suggest you leave everything at the hotel, carry sufficient cash split into two front pockets (NOT the back pockets) or a good money belt or saddle.
RAIN : Strange sub topic for an article about shopping, but trust us when we say that you do not want to be at Chatuchak when it rains ! Due to the layout of Chatuchak, if it rains heavily then the drainage system within Chatuchak can get flooded meaning that a lot of the alleys will have rain up to and above your ankles. For this we obviously recommend that you leave your good shoes at home, in fact the best thing to wear is a comfortable pair of sandals that are available in many different styles all around Bangkok for only a few hundred Baht or so. Remember to cover any cuts you may have on your feet or ankles with good quality water proof plasters.
Warning : If you are strict supporter of animal rights etc or if you just do not like to see animals in what is possibly not the most healthy of environments, then you may want to avoid the animal section of the market. There is nothing bad happening it is just that some of the animals look to be in terrible shape and most are not in the best of environments.Why the need for such advice ? Chatuchak is enormous but it is not only the fact that you have some estimated 9,000/15,000 (no one seems to know) stalls that all run down narrow alleys and are overflowing with artifacts, nor the fact that it is very difficult to get your bearings once inside unless you know it very well, but you will be also overwhelmed by the number of people that visit, some reports state a total of 200,000 and others even claim a staggering 300,000 visitors a weekend. This is why we have made the recommendations above and hope that they will come in useful.
So why visit Chatuchak ? This amazing market basically has nearly everything you could ever wish to buy and many things that you would never want to. They have clothes, animals, books, plants, artifacts, unusual things, wooden workings, material, ceramics, baskets, antiques, plastic fruit, silk flowers, antiques, shoes, silver wear, jewelry, houseware, and so many other things it would take too long to list.
The prices are amazing. A recent small craze went around the tourists visiting Bangkok who found wooden frogs that you could rub with a small stick and the frog would sound like its real life copy. These frogs in Bangkok centre were for sale at 150 Baht in Chatuchak they could be had for around 80 Baht !
Deals such as this are common place in Chatuchak and while many of the stalls expect you to bargain (and you should always try) some stalls will not as they use a fixed price system. The majority though are on a negotiate basis and you should normally aim at around 50% of the first price offered.
If you are with a Thai or speak a reasonable amount of Thai then you may go straight to the better prices from the start so get practicing !
Chatuchak basically is shoppers paradise and a MUST for anyone in Bangkok who has shopping on their agenda. An alternative and a much more enjoyable experience to Chatuchak can be had by visiting the Suan Lum Night Bazaar which is open daily and is located in the heart of Bangkok next to Lumpini Park. Read our review of Shopping in Bangkok for more on the Suan Lum Night Bazaar and other shopping ideas.
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Special Thanks : asiatraveltips.com
General travel information about Thailand
Many people when arriving in Thailand, do not really know what to expect, and know very little about the country and the people. However once they have been to Thailand once or twice, they will be sure to return, it is a kingdom that offers many marvels of undiscovered enchantment. With surprises and delights around every corner your trip to Thailand will open your eyes to a new world.
On this site we offer you accommodation such as hotels in Thailand with some very special rates, restaurant, bar, and transport reviews so that you can have an insiders idea of where to go and what to do in Thailand once you arrive. We offer you shopping tips, apartment options if you don't feel like staying in a hotel, guides to where you can connect to the internet and how much they cost. What you can do in Thailand from a tourist perspective, and much, much more.
On this page we give you a little insight into Thailand and the People, a little lesson if you like into the history of this amazing country and its dynamic and beautiful people.
Thailand covers an area of 513,115 sq. km. in the heart of South East Asia, and shares its borders with Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean.
Thailand itself is broken onto four natural regions, a) The North b) The Central Plain or the Chao Phraya River Basin c) The North East (Korat Plateau) and d) The South or Southern Peninsula.
The Northern region is mountainous and full of forests, ridges and spectacular valleys, the main city of this region is Chiang Mai, a very popular tourist destination.
The Central Plain, a rich valley is the most fertile and extensive rice producing area of Thailand, and has often been named the 'Rice Bowl of Asia'. This is the region where Bangkok, the capital of Thailand is situated.
The Southern peninsula is a gem unto itself not only for the beauty of its beaches and landscape, but also as this is where many ores and minerals are to be found. The landscape is hilly to mountainous with lush virgin forests. This is also where the main rubber producing take place, and the cultivation of many other tropical crops.
But who are the Thai people and where did they come from ? It was originally thought that the Thai people may orginate from the north-eastern Szechuan Province of China about 4,500 years ago before they migrated to their present homeland. This idea though has recently be put into question by the amazing discovery of pre-historic artifacts such as bronze metallurgy dating back some 3,500 thousand years. These artifacts were found in the village of Ban Chiang in the Nong Han District of Udon Thani Province in the Northeast. These amazing finds, indicate that the Thais may well have originated in Thailand, and themselves moved into other areas of Asia.
Thailand until 1939 was known as Siam, and again between 1945 and 49, but May 11, 1949 put an end to the confusion and Thailand became officially known as 'Prathet Thai' or Thailand. For anyone who has been to Thailand they will not be surprised to learn the word 'Thai' means free so Thailand actually means The Land of the Free.
The population of Thailand is around 60,000,000 with an annual growth rate of around 1.3%. Although there is absolute religious freedom 95% of the Thai people follow Buddhism, and the King of Thailand under constitution and practice is patron of all religions embraced by the people.
Thailand is a hot and rather humid tropical country. In fact many people living in Thailand joke that it has three seasons, hot, hotter and hottest - this is easily believed. The climate is monsoonal, marked by a rainy season lasting from about May to September and a relatively dry season for the remainder of the year. The rainy season will amaze many a tourist as it can rain very heavily sometimes for up to just 10 minutes a go, but the sheer volume of water is incredible. Temperatures are highest in March and April and 'lowest' in December and January. The average temperature is about 23 to 35 Celsius.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the Thai people is their respect and enormous love for their monarchy. It is very unwise and actually could lead to serious trouble to say anything bad about the monarchy. They are loved dearly, and you will never hear a Thai utter a bad word.
The National Flag of Thailand is composed of five horizontal bands of red, white and blue. The outer red bands of red represent the nation, and the inner bands of white evoking religion. The blue band, which occupies one third of the flag is symbolizes the monarchy. This tri coloured flag was first designed by King Vajirauadh (Rama VI) in 1917, and it succeeded and earlier design which had a white elephant on a red background.
Thailand truly is an amazing place, with so much to offer tourists. The regular and most popular destinations of Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Samui, Chiang Mai etc are only a small part of the country, and there are so many more undiscovered charms to be found.
On this site we offer you accommodation such as hotels in Thailand with some very special rates, restaurant, bar, and transport reviews so that you can have an insiders idea of where to go and what to do in Thailand once you arrive. We offer you shopping tips, apartment options if you don't feel like staying in a hotel, guides to where you can connect to the internet and how much they cost. What you can do in Thailand from a tourist perspective, and much, much more.
On this page we give you a little insight into Thailand and the People, a little lesson if you like into the history of this amazing country and its dynamic and beautiful people.
Thailand covers an area of 513,115 sq. km. in the heart of South East Asia, and shares its borders with Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean.
Thailand itself is broken onto four natural regions, a) The North b) The Central Plain or the Chao Phraya River Basin c) The North East (Korat Plateau) and d) The South or Southern Peninsula.
The Northern region is mountainous and full of forests, ridges and spectacular valleys, the main city of this region is Chiang Mai, a very popular tourist destination.
The Central Plain, a rich valley is the most fertile and extensive rice producing area of Thailand, and has often been named the 'Rice Bowl of Asia'. This is the region where Bangkok, the capital of Thailand is situated.
The Southern peninsula is a gem unto itself not only for the beauty of its beaches and landscape, but also as this is where many ores and minerals are to be found. The landscape is hilly to mountainous with lush virgin forests. This is also where the main rubber producing take place, and the cultivation of many other tropical crops.
But who are the Thai people and where did they come from ? It was originally thought that the Thai people may orginate from the north-eastern Szechuan Province of China about 4,500 years ago before they migrated to their present homeland. This idea though has recently be put into question by the amazing discovery of pre-historic artifacts such as bronze metallurgy dating back some 3,500 thousand years. These artifacts were found in the village of Ban Chiang in the Nong Han District of Udon Thani Province in the Northeast. These amazing finds, indicate that the Thais may well have originated in Thailand, and themselves moved into other areas of Asia.
Thailand until 1939 was known as Siam, and again between 1945 and 49, but May 11, 1949 put an end to the confusion and Thailand became officially known as 'Prathet Thai' or Thailand. For anyone who has been to Thailand they will not be surprised to learn the word 'Thai' means free so Thailand actually means The Land of the Free.
The population of Thailand is around 60,000,000 with an annual growth rate of around 1.3%. Although there is absolute religious freedom 95% of the Thai people follow Buddhism, and the King of Thailand under constitution and practice is patron of all religions embraced by the people.
Thailand is a hot and rather humid tropical country. In fact many people living in Thailand joke that it has three seasons, hot, hotter and hottest - this is easily believed. The climate is monsoonal, marked by a rainy season lasting from about May to September and a relatively dry season for the remainder of the year. The rainy season will amaze many a tourist as it can rain very heavily sometimes for up to just 10 minutes a go, but the sheer volume of water is incredible. Temperatures are highest in March and April and 'lowest' in December and January. The average temperature is about 23 to 35 Celsius.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the Thai people is their respect and enormous love for their monarchy. It is very unwise and actually could lead to serious trouble to say anything bad about the monarchy. They are loved dearly, and you will never hear a Thai utter a bad word.
The National Flag of Thailand is composed of five horizontal bands of red, white and blue. The outer red bands of red represent the nation, and the inner bands of white evoking religion. The blue band, which occupies one third of the flag is symbolizes the monarchy. This tri coloured flag was first designed by King Vajirauadh (Rama VI) in 1917, and it succeeded and earlier design which had a white elephant on a red background.
Thailand truly is an amazing place, with so much to offer tourists. The regular and most popular destinations of Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Samui, Chiang Mai etc are only a small part of the country, and there are so many more undiscovered charms to be found.
Thai Rural Family
The rural family in the typical village setting is an extended family with many generations living in one house, or many houses within the same compound. It is here that the Thai child learns codes of behavior that will guide him throughout much of his later life, 
whether it is spent in the village or beyond.
whether it is spent in the village or beyond. In the village, home is usually a simple house raised on posted; domestic animals, like buffaloes, chickens, etc. are kept below, and the family lives above, often in a single room. There is little privacy, though this is not as highly regarded as in Western countries, and the communal life style instills a strong sense of social harmony in which tact, compromise, and tolerance are essential. The father is regarded as the leader, but the mother also plays a significant role particularly in the family finances.
Respect for elders in the family is taught very early. 
This same delineation of roles also applies to the wider world outside the family and will remain deeply ingrained throughout life, thus explaining the reluctance of younger Thais to oppose or confront a senior during their subsequent careers in business or government. A sense of responsibility is also inculcated in early childhood. Each child is assigned certain duties according to age and ability. One of the prime responsibilities is to take care of parents in their old age. It is a prominent feature of the Thai concept of family. There is no feeling of being inconvenienced by this duty of caring for aged parents; on the contrary, their acquired wisdom gives them an honoured place in the household and their counsel is sought in teaching their grandchildren to be responsible adults with the same traditional values.
This same delineation of roles also applies to the wider world outside the family and will remain deeply ingrained throughout life, thus explaining the reluctance of younger Thais to oppose or confront a senior during their subsequent careers in business or government. A sense of responsibility is also inculcated in early childhood. Each child is assigned certain duties according to age and ability. One of the prime responsibilities is to take care of parents in their old age. It is a prominent feature of the Thai concept of family. There is no feeling of being inconvenienced by this duty of caring for aged parents; on the contrary, their acquired wisdom gives them an honoured place in the household and their counsel is sought in teaching their grandchildren to be responsible adults with the same traditional values. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information from: "Thailand in the 90s" by Thienchai Srivichit.Paintings by: Primary 6 students at Sriwittayapaknam School.
Songkran Festival in Thailand
Of all the feasts and festivals in Thailand, which are many, the Songkran Festival is the most striking, for it is widely observed not only in this country but also in Burma, Cambodia and the Lao State. 
Songkran is a Sanskrit word in Thai form which means the entry of the sun into any sign of the Zodiac. But the Songkran in this particular instance is when the sun enters the sign of Aries or the Ram. Its full name is Maha Songkran or Major Songkran to distinguish it from the other ones. But the people call it simply the Songkran for it is the only one they know and in which they take interest. It is their traditional New Year when they can enjoy their holidays to the full with no economic hindrance. Songkran is a fixable feast on the solar calender.
Songkran is a Sanskrit word in Thai form which means the entry of the sun into any sign of the Zodiac. But the Songkran in this particular instance is when the sun enters the sign of Aries or the Ram. Its full name is Maha Songkran or Major Songkran to distinguish it from the other ones. But the people call it simply the Songkran for it is the only one they know and in which they take interest. It is their traditional New Year when they can enjoy their holidays to the full with no economic hindrance. Songkran is a fixable feast on the solar calender.
It begins on the 13th April and ends on the 15th April, but occasionally in certain years on the 16th April. The Songkran is in fact the celebration of the vernal equinox similar to those of the Indian Holi Festival, the Chinese Ching Ming, and the Christian Festival of Easter. The beginning of spring when the sun crosses the equator is now on the 21st of March which is due to the precession of the equinox. The Songkran Festival is in a certain sense like April Fool's Day, when the maids of the village play pranks on any gallant who happens to pass by their way. He will be caught and bound by the united strength of the maids and they will daub him with blacking.
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Information from: "Essays on Cultural Thailand" by Office of the National Culture Commission.
Information from: "Essays on Cultural Thailand" by Office of the National Culture Commission.
2007-10-26
''101 reasons we will always be friends''
1. You accept me as I am.
2. You understand me better than most.
3. You are generous with your time
4. I can't smell you through the puter. haha.
5. You are sincere.
6. You make me laugh.
7. We share everything with each other.
8. You're always there when I need you.
9. You don't take me for granted.
10. There was nothing good on TV, so I sent you this page.
11. You are not afraid to speak your mind to me.
12 We're both so pathetic, no one else would have us as friends.
13. You are genuine.
14. O.K., I'm just in it for the glory.
15. You're a good listener.
16. You don't use me.
17. You respect me for who I am.
18. You understand the meaning of sharing.
19. Your kindness surrounds everyone you touch.
20. You make me happy.
21. You make a difference in my life
22. When I have a problem, you always do your best to advise me.
23. It's your toilet seat. Leave it however you wish.
24. You make me smile.
25. I feel good when we're together
26. If I mess up, I know you will rub it in my face.
27. I enjoy our friendly competition.
28. I know it was you who ate all the nachos, but I forgive you
29. Fess up next time! (see 28)
30. With all of life's little troubles, I gotta put up with your bull too. :P
31. I know I can trust you.
32. Your excitement is contagious!
33. You still owe me the rent money.
34. I tell you things nobody else knows.
35. I have probably told you too much already.
36. When we're old, you'll still be as useless as you are today
37. You have a nice car.
38. It's mine. I want it back. (see 37)
39. That was a long time ago. Just forget it.
40. You don't talk behind my back.
41. I heard everything you said about me.
42. I can count on you.
43. I just wanted to say, thanks for being my friend. :0)
44. You don't lie to me.
45. You handle your aggression well.
46. You give me praise for a job well done.
47. You don't get jealous.
48. You never raise your voice to make a point.
49. You seldom make points.
50. You're caring.
51. You feel our bond is so strong, there is no need to return my phone calls.
52. You give a hoot.
53. You don't give a hoot.
54. Some of the best times of my life have been with you.
55. You always have a positive word to share with me.
56. You are selfless in your efforts to help others.
57. I never have to ask you twice.
58. You always have a shoulder to lean on, when I need it.
59. You see me as so few people do.
60. Your faith in me means everything.
61. You don't kick me when I'm down.
62. When you leave, I feel better for the time we have spent together.
63. You listen to what I have to say.
64. You think before you open your mouth.
65. You know when not to open your mouth at all.
66. I can't remember this one. *LOL*
67. You have no hidden agendas.
68. I'm not sure you have an agenda. ;-)
69. Instead of complaining about something, you take action.
70. When we are fighting, you never hit below the belt.
71. For every negative, you find a positive and focus on that.
72. When I feel surrounded by darkness, you help me see the light.
73. When we play pin the tail on the donkey, you generously supply your ass.
74. I don't have to "perform" for you.
75. As long as I have you for a tennis partner, I'll look like a pro.
76. Just when I think things can't get any worse, you show up. ;-)
77. You don't challenge every single word I say.
78. When the going gets tough, we support each other.
79. Even though we may be miles apart, I can feel your presence every day.
80. Although we may fight, I usually win. Haha!
81. I captured everything you did on VHS.
82. Don't get on my bad side. (see 81)
83. You light up the room with your presence.
84. I don't have to buy you x-mas presents. *LOL*
85. You're the only one who'll hang around for my insults.
86. I can't keep coming with good excuses not to see you.
87. You still have my house keys.
88. You often shed words of wisdom, just when I need to hear them the most.
89. Sometimes, it's simply too much fun to watch you make an ass outta yourself.
90. Some of the best things in life are free. Have some more nachos.
91. Together, we can laugh at the rest of the world, and somehow that's funny.
92. When the going gets tough, we simply ignore each other.
93. In a race to conquer the world, we're two rats of the same kind.
94. You're not getting any better at tennis. *wink*
95. We understand each other.
96. I know you better than you know yourself.
97. Actually, there's just no one else to turn to.
98. I have more in common with you than anyone else I know.
99. Sometimes, I actually get the feeling that you care.
100. To forgive is divine, but my parrot is still dead.
101. Do you really need another reason?
2. You understand me better than most.
3. You are generous with your time
4. I can't smell you through the puter. haha.
5. You are sincere.
6. You make me laugh.
7. We share everything with each other.
8. You're always there when I need you.
9. You don't take me for granted.
10. There was nothing good on TV, so I sent you this page.
11. You are not afraid to speak your mind to me.
12 We're both so pathetic, no one else would have us as friends.
13. You are genuine.
14. O.K., I'm just in it for the glory.
15. You're a good listener.
16. You don't use me.
17. You respect me for who I am.
18. You understand the meaning of sharing.
19. Your kindness surrounds everyone you touch.
20. You make me happy.
21. You make a difference in my life
22. When I have a problem, you always do your best to advise me.
23. It's your toilet seat. Leave it however you wish.
24. You make me smile.
25. I feel good when we're together
26. If I mess up, I know you will rub it in my face.
27. I enjoy our friendly competition.
28. I know it was you who ate all the nachos, but I forgive you
29. Fess up next time! (see 28)
30. With all of life's little troubles, I gotta put up with your bull too. :P
31. I know I can trust you.
32. Your excitement is contagious!
33. You still owe me the rent money.
34. I tell you things nobody else knows.
35. I have probably told you too much already.
36. When we're old, you'll still be as useless as you are today
37. You have a nice car.
38. It's mine. I want it back. (see 37)
39. That was a long time ago. Just forget it.
40. You don't talk behind my back.
41. I heard everything you said about me.
42. I can count on you.
43. I just wanted to say, thanks for being my friend. :0)
44. You don't lie to me.
45. You handle your aggression well.
46. You give me praise for a job well done.
47. You don't get jealous.
48. You never raise your voice to make a point.
49. You seldom make points.
50. You're caring.
51. You feel our bond is so strong, there is no need to return my phone calls.
52. You give a hoot.
53. You don't give a hoot.
54. Some of the best times of my life have been with you.
55. You always have a positive word to share with me.
56. You are selfless in your efforts to help others.
57. I never have to ask you twice.
58. You always have a shoulder to lean on, when I need it.
59. You see me as so few people do.
60. Your faith in me means everything.
61. You don't kick me when I'm down.
62. When you leave, I feel better for the time we have spent together.
63. You listen to what I have to say.
64. You think before you open your mouth.
65. You know when not to open your mouth at all.
66. I can't remember this one. *LOL*
67. You have no hidden agendas.
68. I'm not sure you have an agenda. ;-)
69. Instead of complaining about something, you take action.
70. When we are fighting, you never hit below the belt.
71. For every negative, you find a positive and focus on that.
72. When I feel surrounded by darkness, you help me see the light.
73. When we play pin the tail on the donkey, you generously supply your ass.
74. I don't have to "perform" for you.
75. As long as I have you for a tennis partner, I'll look like a pro.
76. Just when I think things can't get any worse, you show up. ;-)
77. You don't challenge every single word I say.
78. When the going gets tough, we support each other.
79. Even though we may be miles apart, I can feel your presence every day.
80. Although we may fight, I usually win. Haha!
81. I captured everything you did on VHS.
82. Don't get on my bad side. (see 81)
83. You light up the room with your presence.
84. I don't have to buy you x-mas presents. *LOL*
85. You're the only one who'll hang around for my insults.
86. I can't keep coming with good excuses not to see you.
87. You still have my house keys.
88. You often shed words of wisdom, just when I need to hear them the most.
89. Sometimes, it's simply too much fun to watch you make an ass outta yourself.
90. Some of the best things in life are free. Have some more nachos.
91. Together, we can laugh at the rest of the world, and somehow that's funny.
92. When the going gets tough, we simply ignore each other.
93. In a race to conquer the world, we're two rats of the same kind.
94. You're not getting any better at tennis. *wink*
95. We understand each other.
96. I know you better than you know yourself.
97. Actually, there's just no one else to turn to.
98. I have more in common with you than anyone else I know.
99. Sometimes, I actually get the feeling that you care.
100. To forgive is divine, but my parrot is still dead.
101. Do you really need another reason?
To LOVE is to GIVE
" To LOVE is to GIVE "
"When you love someone, say it. Say it loud. Say it right away, or the moment...
just passes you by."
"It's not too hard to find some love but it's also not easy to make that love to be forever."
"It's easy to say 'I LOVE YOU'.
But only 'I DO' says you're really one, for always..."
"True love lasts forever." "Love..like fine sand. Grasp it and it will quickly slip through your fingers.Cup it gently and it will fill the voids of your soul as sand seeks to fill the spaces in your hands."
"In real love you want the other's person good. In romantic love you want the other person." "Where the relation is one of love, words are of no use."
"Love conquers everything.""When love meets happiness begins."
"Don't go find LOVE, Let LOVE finds you."
"Love is just a four letter word with so many meanings behind it."
"Love sees not with the eyes but with the Mind."
Love cannot see or even touchedClose your eyes , felt it with your heartAnd use this feeling to find your Destiny loveWhen you''re in love......
life is like a romance novel that you never want to end.
When you love someone...... you''ll do anything to reach the heart of the one you love.
When you feel true love...... you follow the way of the heart. The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.
True love is like a jigsaw puzzle.
The pieces will find themselves when they are right for each other.
To love is nothing. To be loved is something. To love and be loved is everything!!
It''s not too hard to find some love...... but it''s also not easy to make that love to be forever. Thoughts of you brighten up my day.
When you love someone, say it. Say it loud. Say it right away, or the moment just passes you by.
It''s easy to say "I LOVE YOU".
But only ''I DO'' says you''re really one, for always. If you love someone, put their name in a circle, instead of a heart,because hearts can break,but circles go on forever.
ความรักคือการให้เมื่อคุณรักใครสักคน จงบอกเขา บอกไปเลยดังๆ ว่า
คุณรักเขามากมายแค่ไหน อย่าปล่อยจนถึงวันที่เขา
ไม่อยู่ให้คุณบอกรักอันความรักไม่ใช่เรื่องยากที่จะได้มา
และมันก็ไม่ใช่เรื่องง่าย ที่จะรักษาความรักนั้นให้อยู่เป็นนิรันดรคําว่ารักใครก็พูดได้ แต่สิ่งสําคัญกว่านั้นคือรักที่รักจริงๆ จากหัวใจความรักที่แท้จริงเป็นอมตะ ความรักก็เหมือนเม็ดทราย เมื่อใดที่รีบคว้ามันไว้ เม็ดทรายนั้นจะไหลออกทางร่องนิ้ว แต่เมื่อค่อยๆ ประคองมันไว้ มันก็จะอยู่ในมือของคุณ และถ้าคุณถนุถนอมความรัก มันก็อยู่ในทุกช่องว่างในหัวใจ เช่นเดียวกับเม็ดทรายที่อยู่ในกำมือ คุณต้องการความรักที่แท้จริง จากคนดีสักคนเมื่อต้องการรักที่แสนหวานจากใครสักคน คำพูดใดๆ ก็ไม่จำเป็นในที่ที่ความสัมพันธ์นั้นเกิดจากความรัก ความรักชนะทุกสิ่ง เมื่อความรักมาบรรจบ
ความสุขก็เริ่มต้น จงอย่าไขว่คว้าหารัก จงให้รักตามหาคุณคำว่ารักเป็นอักษรเพียง 4 ตัว ที่เรียงร้อยขึ้นมา ด้วยความหมายที่มากมายในคำนั้นความรักไม่สามารถเห็นได้ด้วยด้วยตา แต่สัมผัสได้ด้วยใจรักไม่สามารถมองเห็น หรือแม้แต่สัมผัสหลับตาลง รับรู้มันด้วยหัวใจ และใช้ความรู้สึกนี้เพื่อหาคู่แท้ของคุณเมื่อคุณอยู่ในห้วงแห่งรัก......
ชีวิตก็เหมือนดั่งนิยายที่คุณอ่านไม่จบ เมื่อคุณรักใครสักคน......
คุณจะทำทุกอย่างเพื่อชนะใจเขา เมื่อมีรักแท้...... คุณก็พร้อมที่จะไปตามเสียงเรียกร้องของหัวใจ สิ่งที่สวยงามที่สุดมิอาจสัมผัสได้โดยการสัมผัสทางกาย...... ทว่าต้องรับรู้ผ่านหัวใจ ความรักที่แท้จริงก็เหมือนกับเกมจิ๊กซอร์ ชิ้นส่วนทั้งหมดจะสามารถค้นพบตัวเองได้ ก็ต่อเมื่อแต่ละชิ้นสามารถหาชิ้นที่"ใช่"สำหรับตัวมันเอง การได้รักเป็นเพียงความว่างเปล่า...... การถูกรักเป็นเพียงแค่บางสิ่งบางอย่าง...... ส่วนการได้รักและการถูกรัก นั้นเป็นทุกอย่าง อันความรักไม่ใช่เรื่องยากที่จะได้มา แต่มันก็ไม่ใช่เรื่องง่ายนักที่จะรักษาความรักนั้นให้อยู่เป็นนิรันดร์ การได้คิดถึงคุณ ทำให้วันของฉันสว่างไสว เมื่อไหร่ที่คุณรักใครสักคน จงบอกเขา...... บอกไปเลยดังๆว่า คุณรักเขามากมายแค่ไหน...... อย่าปล่อยจนถึงวันที่เขาไม่อยู่ให้คุณบอกรัก คําว่ารักใครก็พูดได้ แต่สิ่งสําคัญกว่านั้นคือรักที่รักจริงๆจากหัวใจถ้าคุณรักใครสักคน…จงเอาเขาไว้รอบตัวคุณแทนที่จะใส่เขาไว้ในใจเพราะหัวใจสามารถแตกสลายได้…แต่ถ้าเขาอยู่รอบตัวคุณ เขาจะอยู่กับคุณตลอดไป………….
"When you love someone, say it. Say it loud. Say it right away, or the moment...
just passes you by."
"It's not too hard to find some love but it's also not easy to make that love to be forever."
"It's easy to say 'I LOVE YOU'.
But only 'I DO' says you're really one, for always..."
"True love lasts forever." "Love..like fine sand. Grasp it and it will quickly slip through your fingers.Cup it gently and it will fill the voids of your soul as sand seeks to fill the spaces in your hands."
"In real love you want the other's person good. In romantic love you want the other person." "Where the relation is one of love, words are of no use."
"Love conquers everything.""When love meets happiness begins."
"Don't go find LOVE, Let LOVE finds you."
"Love is just a four letter word with so many meanings behind it."
"Love sees not with the eyes but with the Mind."
Love cannot see or even touchedClose your eyes , felt it with your heartAnd use this feeling to find your Destiny loveWhen you''re in love......
life is like a romance novel that you never want to end.
When you love someone...... you''ll do anything to reach the heart of the one you love.
When you feel true love...... you follow the way of the heart. The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.
True love is like a jigsaw puzzle.
The pieces will find themselves when they are right for each other.
To love is nothing. To be loved is something. To love and be loved is everything!!
It''s not too hard to find some love...... but it''s also not easy to make that love to be forever. Thoughts of you brighten up my day.
When you love someone, say it. Say it loud. Say it right away, or the moment just passes you by.
It''s easy to say "I LOVE YOU".
But only ''I DO'' says you''re really one, for always. If you love someone, put their name in a circle, instead of a heart,because hearts can break,but circles go on forever.
ความรักคือการให้เมื่อคุณรักใครสักคน จงบอกเขา บอกไปเลยดังๆ ว่า
คุณรักเขามากมายแค่ไหน อย่าปล่อยจนถึงวันที่เขา
ไม่อยู่ให้คุณบอกรักอันความรักไม่ใช่เรื่องยากที่จะได้มา
และมันก็ไม่ใช่เรื่องง่าย ที่จะรักษาความรักนั้นให้อยู่เป็นนิรันดรคําว่ารักใครก็พูดได้ แต่สิ่งสําคัญกว่านั้นคือรักที่รักจริงๆ จากหัวใจความรักที่แท้จริงเป็นอมตะ ความรักก็เหมือนเม็ดทราย เมื่อใดที่รีบคว้ามันไว้ เม็ดทรายนั้นจะไหลออกทางร่องนิ้ว แต่เมื่อค่อยๆ ประคองมันไว้ มันก็จะอยู่ในมือของคุณ และถ้าคุณถนุถนอมความรัก มันก็อยู่ในทุกช่องว่างในหัวใจ เช่นเดียวกับเม็ดทรายที่อยู่ในกำมือ คุณต้องการความรักที่แท้จริง จากคนดีสักคนเมื่อต้องการรักที่แสนหวานจากใครสักคน คำพูดใดๆ ก็ไม่จำเป็นในที่ที่ความสัมพันธ์นั้นเกิดจากความรัก ความรักชนะทุกสิ่ง เมื่อความรักมาบรรจบ
ความสุขก็เริ่มต้น จงอย่าไขว่คว้าหารัก จงให้รักตามหาคุณคำว่ารักเป็นอักษรเพียง 4 ตัว ที่เรียงร้อยขึ้นมา ด้วยความหมายที่มากมายในคำนั้นความรักไม่สามารถเห็นได้ด้วยด้วยตา แต่สัมผัสได้ด้วยใจรักไม่สามารถมองเห็น หรือแม้แต่สัมผัสหลับตาลง รับรู้มันด้วยหัวใจ และใช้ความรู้สึกนี้เพื่อหาคู่แท้ของคุณเมื่อคุณอยู่ในห้วงแห่งรัก......
ชีวิตก็เหมือนดั่งนิยายที่คุณอ่านไม่จบ เมื่อคุณรักใครสักคน......
คุณจะทำทุกอย่างเพื่อชนะใจเขา เมื่อมีรักแท้...... คุณก็พร้อมที่จะไปตามเสียงเรียกร้องของหัวใจ สิ่งที่สวยงามที่สุดมิอาจสัมผัสได้โดยการสัมผัสทางกาย...... ทว่าต้องรับรู้ผ่านหัวใจ ความรักที่แท้จริงก็เหมือนกับเกมจิ๊กซอร์ ชิ้นส่วนทั้งหมดจะสามารถค้นพบตัวเองได้ ก็ต่อเมื่อแต่ละชิ้นสามารถหาชิ้นที่"ใช่"สำหรับตัวมันเอง การได้รักเป็นเพียงความว่างเปล่า...... การถูกรักเป็นเพียงแค่บางสิ่งบางอย่าง...... ส่วนการได้รักและการถูกรัก นั้นเป็นทุกอย่าง อันความรักไม่ใช่เรื่องยากที่จะได้มา แต่มันก็ไม่ใช่เรื่องง่ายนักที่จะรักษาความรักนั้นให้อยู่เป็นนิรันดร์ การได้คิดถึงคุณ ทำให้วันของฉันสว่างไสว เมื่อไหร่ที่คุณรักใครสักคน จงบอกเขา...... บอกไปเลยดังๆว่า คุณรักเขามากมายแค่ไหน...... อย่าปล่อยจนถึงวันที่เขาไม่อยู่ให้คุณบอกรัก คําว่ารักใครก็พูดได้ แต่สิ่งสําคัญกว่านั้นคือรักที่รักจริงๆจากหัวใจถ้าคุณรักใครสักคน…จงเอาเขาไว้รอบตัวคุณแทนที่จะใส่เขาไว้ในใจเพราะหัวใจสามารถแตกสลายได้…แต่ถ้าเขาอยู่รอบตัวคุณ เขาจะอยู่กับคุณตลอดไป………….
Thailand Retreats
Meditation lessons for foreign guestsAny of us have at one time or another found the toll of living in the modern world hard to bear. Stress, depression and disillusionment are some of the diseases of modern times that leave us yearning for a solution, a cure, so to speak. More and more people are turning to meditation as they fail to find the answer through worldly paths. Meditation is found in some form or other in all major religious traditions. Even those who are not religious use it to focus the mind, to home it, so that it works better. In Buddhism, meditation is integral to the eight-fold path to enlightenment. One trains one's mind so that it can see the four-point Supreme Truth that forms the core of Buddha's teachings: suffering, what causes it, the end of suffering, and the path to that end. Even if you are not interested in Buddhism, meditation is a valuable training that can be applied to daily life, for it helps with concentration and when done correctly can lead to a state of peace and calmness that's beyond worldly joys.
There are two main branches in Buddhist meditation: samatha (calmness, concentration) and vipassana (insight), Which stresses mindfulness. This doesn't mean that the two are entirely separate, since you cannot be mindful unless you have at least some level of concentration.
The techniques of samatha meditation are many, some older than Buddhism, others developed after the time of the Buddha. Among the most commonly practiced here is anapanasati, or "mindfulness with breathing." This technique was advocated by the Venerable Buddhadasa Bhikku(1903-1993),founder of Suan Mokkh Forest Monastery in Surat Thani. Meditators at Suan Mokkh (Garden of Liberation), follow the 16 steps of anapanasati as laid down in Pali texts.
Mantra meditation, in which you repeat a few words over and over, is also widely practiced. Followers of this technique may chant "Buddh" as they inhale, and "dho" as they exhale. The words may vary, but the purpose of chanting is really to get the mind focused. Yet another widely taught technique is kasinas, where meditators concentrate on an object outside themselves, such as the flame of a candle, or a crystal ball.
Sati, or mindfulness, is key to vipassana meditation. You Train yourself to be aware of the body's action, the rise and fall of your chest as you inhale and exhale, the movement of your feet and legs as you walk, as well as your feelings, your thought, and finally, the state of mind you are in. Walking, sitting and lying meditation are but a few of vipassana techniques. When the mind is untrained, concentration can be shattered by the slightest stimuli noise, smell, heat, hunger, pain, etc. The key is to become aware of what happens, but not dwell on it. Still, a novice can only ward off so much distraction, and that's one reason why vipassana retreats are usually held in peaceful and isolated settings.
Meditation teachings are widely available in Thailand. You can attend a class at one of the teaching monasteries for an afternoon or evening. Or you may join a vipassana retreat, which usually takes a weekend of longer. A number of retreat centers, most of them located in the provinces, run intensive courses of up to four weeks on an ongoing basis. All vipassana retreats require you to follow the Five Buddhist Precepts. These include refraining from harming all living beings, from taking what is not given, from improper sexual behavior, from lying and incorrect speech, and from taking liquors and drugs that will cloud the mind. Some retreats may require that you take the Eight Precepts, which in addition to the first five include refraining from dinner, from all forms of entertainment and bodily decoration, and from sleeping on high mattresses.
Respect for one's teacher is inherent in Thai culture. At the start of a vipassana session, you must attend an opening ceremony, where you pay respect to the meditation masters and present them with traditional Buddhist offerings of incense sticks, candles and flowers-usually three lotuses or a hand garland. There is also a closing ceremony, where you thank your teachers and bid them a formal farewell. Even if you cannot stay for the duration of the course, be sure to perform this ritual before you leave, since not doing so is considered very rude.
Once you get enrolled in a course, be sure to follow only the technique taught there. Mixing techniques will only confuse you. Usually, you are given instructions daily, and required to report your progress-or lack of it-to your meditation master on the following day. After the interview you will be given advice and new instructions, or old ones to repeat.
All-white, modest clothing is required at vipassana retreats. Check ahead if there is a shop on the compound, or if you have to bring your own. At most monasteries, simple accommodation and food are provided, usually free of charge. Talking, reading and writing are discouraged, as they will distract you from your meditation. And meditators are not allowed to leave the retreat compound unless absolutely necessary. So be sure to bring enough change of clothes, toiletries and personal items for the duration of the course.
For first-time meditators, it might help to attend a day session or two before you join a long retreat. Many temples around the country teach samatha and vipassana meditation.
Where to Learn Buddhist Meditation
International Buddhist Meditation Center
Dhamma Vicaya Hall, Wat Mahadhatu, Tha Prachan, Bangkok Tel. 02-6236326, 02-6236328 (Afternoons only, 1 - 7.30 p.m.)IBMC is the vipassana teaching center of Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the highest seats of Buddhist learning in the country. Mindfulness meditation classes in English are held daily, from 1-6 p.m. except on Buddhist holidays and Sundays. Bring flowers, nine sticks of incense and a candle for the opening ceremony. The Center also organizes vipassana retreats at Buddha Monthon in Nakhon Pathom, usually on major Buddhist holidays and long weekends. Dhamma talks to groups can be arranged by request.
Section Five, Wat Mahadhatu Tha Prachan Maharaj Road, Bangkok Tel.02-2226011Thais and foreigners have long come to Section Five of Wat Mahadhatu to learn mindfulness meditation. Classes are held from 7-10 a.m., 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. These are mixed; at any given session there will be beginners and advanced meditators, monks and laymen, locals and tourists. English-speaking instruction is available on Mondays. You can come for a retreat of three days or longer. Meals are provided on the compounds free of charge. Bring enough sets of clothes, toiletries and personal items, and an offering of flowers, a candle and nine sticks of incense for the opening ceremony. Donations are accepted but not solicited.
Northern Insight Meditation Center At Wat Rampoeng (Tapotharam) Tumbon Suthep, Amphoe Muang, Chiand Mai Tel/Fax: 053-278620The Northern Insight Meditation Center has been teaching mindfulness meditation to thousands of tourists and locals for more than 20 years. It has English-speaking monks, nuns and volunteer facilitators on staff. The center offers a 26-day basic course on an ongoing basis. After you have completed this course you can join the 10-day Insight Meditation Retreat. Tourists are required to present two passport photos, two copies each of a valid passport and visa with entry stamp. Modest white clothing is required; this can be bought at the Temple's store. Dormitory-style accommodation and meals are provided free of charge. Donations are accepted but not solicited.
Wat phra Dhatu Sri Chomthong Tumbon Baan Luang, Amphoe Chomthong, Chiang Mai. Tel. 053-826869This temple is headed by the monk who founded the Northern Insight Meditation Center at Wat Rampoeng. Meditation retreats are held on an ongoing basis. Meditators must present identification card or valid passport, and inform the temple of their intended length of stay. Then they can choose whether to follow the Five or Eight Precepts. The temple provides meals and simple, dormitory-style lodgings, most with their own bathroom. Proper clothing is available at a shop next door to the monastery. Bookings are advised, since the retreats draw large crowds during major Buddhist holidays and Chinese vegetarian festive.
Suan Mokkh Forest Monastery Formal instruction is given only during monthly 10-day retreats; at other times interviews, books, and tapes are available. Retreats feature Dhamma talks, interviews, group sittings, walking meditation, and morning hatha yoga.The 10-day retreats have been very popular. They provide a unique opportunity to experience the anapanasati technique in a retreat setting. (Most other meditation centres in the Theravadan tradition teach the vipassana system based on Mahasi Sayadaw's techniques.) Retreats begin on the first of every month; you must register in person a day or 2 in advance. Sometimes the 110-person capacity of the retreat cannot accommodate everyone who comes, hence the importance of coming beforehand. Upon acceptance, one must follow instructions given and be committed to staying the entire 10-day course. Late arrivals aren't possible. Retreats take place at the International Dhamma Hermitage 1.5 km east across the highway from Suan Mokkh. Foreign visitors cannot be received easily at Suan Mokkh when retreats are under way, so plan arrival after the 11th of each month. Participation in community activities is expected. One is encouraged to practice in the Suan Mokkh style. Experienced meditators who have done a retreat here before may request permission for long-term stays.
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Special thanks! for information from "What's on after dark" and "What's on this week"
Special thanks! for information from "What's on after dark" and "What's on this week"
Rustic charm Old markets making a comeback
Traditional Thai markets, both the floating and inland kinds, have gotten a new lease on life as new generations of visitors have shown renewed interest in them. During the recent months, for example, more tourists have been seen visiting the floating market at Damnoen Saduak in Ratchaburi.
Old-fashioned inland markets, with their picturesque rows of wooden shophouses, are also coming back to life. Don Wai Market in Nakhon Pathom has been especially popular. The reason for its resurgence has less to do with tourism, however, than with its fame as a place to get good things to eat.
There is a stall there famous for its ped phalo or Chinese-style stewed duck and for the noodle dish made with it. A few years ago people started flocking there on weekends and holidays to enjoy the old fashioned atmosphere and the duck noodles, which were gaining a reputation as the best in the area.
As the market became more popular, more vendors selling other kinds of food invaded the place. Today there is a wide variety of food available, including Vietnamese food.
The two markets are getting renewed interest from tourists because they offer a glimpse of traditional Thai life.
Thailand, a century age, was famous for its network of canals. Paddle boats darted back and forth on the water, and houseboats were mooted along the banks. There were large communities of floating homes then and commerce was conducted using boats.
Most of Bangkok's inland markets are believed to have originally started as floating markets. As the communities around them grew, these floating markets expanded. Vendors who once sold their wares in houseboats moved to the shore and set up wooden shophouses. Then new businesses, like tailors, barbers, pharmacies, bookshops, gold shops and coffee shops,, sprang up, relegating the waterborne trading to the sideline.
The death knell for most of these floating markets came with the advent of efficient road systems. As traders shifted from boats to trucks to ferry their goods, the importance of waterways and floating markets began to wane. Eventually, water borne moved from the river to set up shop inland.
But thanks to tourism, there has been an upsurge in interest in traditional floating markets, especially the one at Damnoen Saduak. Today, Damnoen Saduak is a thriving market with busloads of foreign tourists visiting the place everyday.
Even inland markers like the Talaad Don Wai are making a comeback, due largely to the Thais' passion for cheap but good food and for rustic ambiance. Indeed, most people visiting these markers, some of which are in far-flung areas, aren't only looking for good food but also fresh air and atmosphere.
Riverside markets coming back to life include those of Amphoe Bang Lane, Nakhon Pathom and Talaad Khlong Suan on the bank of Khlong Prawate Burirom on the border between Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao.
Located on the bank of the Nakhon Chaisri River, Amphoe Bang Lane offers many things including fruits freshly harvested from nearby orchards.
Another century-old market at Baan Mai n Chachoengsao is getting renewed attention. The market, located nest to the pier at Amphoe Amphawa on the bank of the Ta Chine River, is regularly visited by tourists who enjoy its cool breeze.--TATnews
Old-fashioned inland markets, with their picturesque rows of wooden shophouses, are also coming back to life. Don Wai Market in Nakhon Pathom has been especially popular. The reason for its resurgence has less to do with tourism, however, than with its fame as a place to get good things to eat.
There is a stall there famous for its ped phalo or Chinese-style stewed duck and for the noodle dish made with it. A few years ago people started flocking there on weekends and holidays to enjoy the old fashioned atmosphere and the duck noodles, which were gaining a reputation as the best in the area.
As the market became more popular, more vendors selling other kinds of food invaded the place. Today there is a wide variety of food available, including Vietnamese food.
The two markets are getting renewed interest from tourists because they offer a glimpse of traditional Thai life.
Thailand, a century age, was famous for its network of canals. Paddle boats darted back and forth on the water, and houseboats were mooted along the banks. There were large communities of floating homes then and commerce was conducted using boats.
Most of Bangkok's inland markets are believed to have originally started as floating markets. As the communities around them grew, these floating markets expanded. Vendors who once sold their wares in houseboats moved to the shore and set up wooden shophouses. Then new businesses, like tailors, barbers, pharmacies, bookshops, gold shops and coffee shops,, sprang up, relegating the waterborne trading to the sideline. The death knell for most of these floating markets came with the advent of efficient road systems. As traders shifted from boats to trucks to ferry their goods, the importance of waterways and floating markets began to wane. Eventually, water borne moved from the river to set up shop inland.
But thanks to tourism, there has been an upsurge in interest in traditional floating markets, especially the one at Damnoen Saduak. Today, Damnoen Saduak is a thriving market with busloads of foreign tourists visiting the place everyday.
Even inland markers like the Talaad Don Wai are making a comeback, due largely to the Thais' passion for cheap but good food and for rustic ambiance. Indeed, most people visiting these markers, some of which are in far-flung areas, aren't only looking for good food but also fresh air and atmosphere.
Riverside markets coming back to life include those of Amphoe Bang Lane, Nakhon Pathom and Talaad Khlong Suan on the bank of Khlong Prawate Burirom on the border between Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao.
Located on the bank of the Nakhon Chaisri River, Amphoe Bang Lane offers many things including fruits freshly harvested from nearby orchards.
Another century-old market at Baan Mai n Chachoengsao is getting renewed attention. The market, located nest to the pier at Amphoe Amphawa on the bank of the Ta Chine River, is regularly visited by tourists who enjoy its cool breeze.--TATnews
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Special thanks! for information from "What's on after dark" and "What's on this week"
Special thanks! for information from "What's on after dark" and "What's on this week"
The Grand Palace and its grandeur
Every visitor to Bangkok is supposed to visit the Grand Palace, main symbol of the country's royal heritage. Built in 1782 by King Rama I as royal residence and the new seat of power after Bangkok was chosen capital of the country, it was designed to look like the Royal Palace in the former capital of Ayutthaya.
To fully appreciate the grandeur of the palace, one must have a look at the magnificent buildings within the palace compound. The current monarch does not live in the Grand Palace. He stays at the Chitralada Palace. But the Grand Palace, apart from being the country's show window, is still used for certain royal ceremonies.
The main buildings within the Grand Palace compound were built for King Rama V, who was the first Thai King to travel to Europe.
Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat, built in 1877 by King Rama V as his Royal Residence, is the most highly recognized architectural landmark of the country. The central Throne Hall, formerly used to formally receive foreign envoys, is flanked by reception areas decorated with royal portraits. The central room on the second floor is where the ashes of former monarchs are kept.
The Borom Phiman Mansion was also built during the reign of King Rama V. When his son, King Rama VI, ascended to the throne, he had it improved for use as his residence The three succeeding Kings also resided here at one time or another.
The Siwalai Gardens, where the office of The Royal Household Bureau is located, were used for receptions as well as a recreation area for the royal women and children.
Maha Monthien Prasat housed The Audience Hall of Amarin Winitchai where ceremonies of the royal court usually took place.
The Siwalai Gardens, where the office of The Royal Household Bureau is located, were used for receptions as well as a recreation area for the royal women and children.
Maha Monthien Prasat housed The Audience Hall of Amarin Winitchai where ceremonies of the royal court usually took place.
One of the most important buildings in the compound is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, also built in 1782 to serve as the Royal Chapel. It was dedicated to the Emerald Buddha, the most venerated Buddha Maha Mani Rattana Patimakon. Unlike in other temples, there are no resident monks here.
About 48 centimeters tall, the Emerald Buddha image was found in Chiang Rai. Regarded as the most important Buddha image in the country, it was carved out of solid jasper and thought to have been made during the 15th century.
How to go to the Grand Palace:The easiest way is by taxi. But the more enjoyable way is to take the BTS Skytrain to Taksin Station. From here take a Chao Phraya River Express boat to Tha Chang Wang Luang Pier. The public entrance to the Grand Palace is a short walk from the pier.
Opening Hours: Open to the public everyday, except during special Royal Ceremonies, from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Admission: Bt250. No shorts are allowed.
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Special thanks! for information from "What's on after dark" and "What's on this week"
Special thanks! for information from "What's on after dark" and "What's on this week"
2007-10-24
Metro Bangkok
Skytrain and Bangkok MetroSkytrains have two railway lines: one from the northern bus terminal at Morchit to Sukhumvit Soi 77 (Soi Onnut). The other runs from the National Stadium (Pathumwan Intersection) to Taksin Bridge at the end of Sathorn Road. At the Siam Center station, passengers can switch between lines, Fare is between Bt10 - Bt40. Linking several hotels, shopping centers and business districts, the newly opened Bangkok Metro runs from the Hua Lamphong train station in the south to the Chatuchak market and Bang Sue in the north.
Motorcycle TaxiA new form of transport provides a faster, albeit riskier answer for commuting during peak traffic hours. They can be found at almost every corner and can go anywhere in Bangkok, but fares must be negotiated.
Tuk-Tuk
A taxi-style mode of transport that's unique to Thailand. The three-wheeled, open-air tuk-tuk can take you almost anywhere in Bangkok. Rate is usually negotiated, from Bt20 for a very short distance to about Bt100 for a farther destination.
TaxiRegular taxicabs abound if you want a more flexible and comfortable way of getting around. The flagdown rate is Bt35, plus Bt2 per kilometer traveled. Always demand the use of a meter to avoid being shortchanged.
Buses
TaxiRegular taxicabs abound if you want a more flexible and comfortable way of getting around. The flagdown rate is Bt35, plus Bt2 per kilometer traveled. Always demand the use of a meter to avoid being shortchanged.
Buses
The bus network within the metropolis is very efficient and econo-mical. It is a wonderful way to tour the city cheaply. Numbered buses ply specific routes. Free city maps available at BTS stations can help you get to places on a bus. Fare for regular buses is between Bt5 and Bt6, and Bt10 to Bt20 for air-conditioned buses, while microbuses gave a flat rate up to Bt20.
Airport buses to several des-tinations in the city is Bt100.
Airport buses to several des-tinations in the city is Bt100.
River Boats
River boats travel on established routes along the Chao Phraya River to nearby provinces, or through the intricate canal system in the city. Fare depends on distance. There are piers near major commercial districts such as Sukhumvit and the World Trade Center. Long-tailed boats could be hired for special river tours.
Special thanks! for information from "What's on after dark" and "What's on this week"
Special thanks! for information from "What's on after dark" and "What's on this week"
PHAD THAI Anywhere, anytime
THAI FOOD is internationally known for its use of spices and herbs during cooking. Each dish may vary according to region, resulting in different but delicious flavors. Originally, Thai cuisine featured aquatic animals, plants and herbs as most people lived by the river or sea.
A common dish in all regions is Thai fried noodles, or phat Thai. Phat Thai kung sod, or Thai fried noodles with shrimps, is a favorite. Ingredients include rice noodles and bean sprouts.
Start by frying chopped garlic and onion until it turns yellow. Add shrimps and fry until cooked. Then, chop pickled white radish and soy bean curd. Scramble some eggs in a pan. Add sugar, fish sauce, vinegar, ground dry red chili and stir well Afterwards. Pour in the rice noodles, stir frying until all ingredients are mixed well. Add spring onions, ? cup bean sprouts and continue stir frying until cooked.
For garnishing, use ground roasted peanuts and the rest of the bean sprouts, cabbage, carrots, spring onions, raw banana flower buds and sliced lime. Use fish sauce, sugar and pepper to suit your taste.
Another dish that uses the same ingredients is khao phat (fried rice) that can be served with pork, chicken, meat, shrimp or crab. Vegetables are also added. The blend of fish sauce, soy sauce, chili and other spices gibes is a unique taste; fried rice with crab comes with cucumber and a wedge of lime.
Special thanks! for information from "What's on after dark" and "What's on this week"
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SPECIAL THANKS : Welcomethai.com
Thai Language Schools
While on holiday in Thailand, many people like to take the opportunity to have formal lessons. The following are some of the major schools around.
BANGKOK:
AAA Thai Language Center (Chid Lom):
29 Vanissa Building, 6th floor,Chit-lom Rd., Patumwan, Bangkok 10330Tel: 0-2655-5629 Fax: 0-2655-5629 website: www.aaathai.com
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AUA Natural Thai (Rajadamri):
179 Rajdamri Road, Lumpini, Bangkok, 10330tel (02) 252 8170 ext 399fax (02) 255 4632
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Berlitz Language Center
22nd Fl, Silom Complex, Silom Rd, Bangkok.
Tel: 0-2231-3652Fax: 0-2231-3656
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BIS International School
591/9 Between Sukhumvit Soi 33 and 33/1,Behind Villa Supermarket, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok, 10110
Tel: 0-2258 5099Fax: 0-2259 7534
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Boston Academy
395/5 Silom Soi 7Bangrak, Silom, Bangkok, 10500
Tel: 0-2233-7723Fax: 0-2233-7728
Sukhumvit Road. Tel: 0-2229-4519, 0-2653-1265Anusaowaree. Tel: 0-2644-7072-3Lardphrao. Tel: 0-2933-9423
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Inlingua
20th Floor, Liberty Square Building287 Silom Road, Bangrak,Bangkok 10500Tel: (02) 631 1850-3Fax: (02) 631 1854
Central Chidlom, Bangkok: 0-2254-7028Central Pinklao, Bangkok: 0-2884-9255Central Bangna, Bangkok: 0-2745-6246Central Bangkapi, Bangkok: 0-2734-2496
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Nisa Thai Language School (Sathorn):
YMCA Collins House27 Sathorn Tai (South) Road, Bangkok
tel (02) 671 3359-60, (02) 671 3343-44
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PRO Language (Sukhumvit):
10-01A, 10 Fl. Times Square Building,Sukhumwit Road, between Soi 12-14, Bangkok
tel (02) 250-0072 fax (02) 250 0129
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Siri Pattana Thai Language School
YWCA13 Sathorn Tai (South) Road, Bangkok.
Tel: (02) 286-1936
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Somchart Thai Language School
9 Sukhumvit Soi 19,Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok, 10110
Tel: (02) 651-2735-6Fax: (02) 651-2736
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Taiyo Language School
2221/16 Ramkhamhaeng, Soi 51/2Bangkok 10240
Tel: (02) 319-1390
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Thammasat University, Faculty of Liberal Arts (Tha Prachan Campus):
tel (02) 613 2608, (02) 613 2675;
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Thai Solutions
87 Nai Lert Building,Sukhumvit Rd.Nai Lert Building,Sukhumvit Rd.Klongtoey Nue , wattanaBangkok, 10110
tel (02) 655-3146
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Thonglor Language Center (Sukhumvit):
806 Sukhumvit Soi 38,Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110
Tel: (02) 391-6358, 0-2390-0244Fax: (02) 712-0886
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Union Language School (Surawong):
CCT Building109 Surawong Road, Bangkok
tel: 02 2334482fax: 02 2334482
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Unity Thai Language School (Sukhumvit):
15th Floor Times Square Building, 246 Sukhumvit Road, Khlongtoey, Bangkok 10110
tel (02) 653 1538
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YMCA Language Center (Bangrak):
64/2 Pan Road,Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok, 10500
Tel: 0-2235-0241-2Fax: 0-2235-0240
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CHIANG MAI:
Chaing Mai University, Faculty of Education:
contact person – associate professor Sriwilai Ponmanee: tel (053) 221285;
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PHUKET:
Anna's Language School and Translation Services
116 Phisitkaranee Rd, Patong BeachKathu, Phuket, 83150
Tel: 66-76 296372, 296599Mobile: 09-8737784Fax: 66-76 296423
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Patong Language School
5/19-20 Aroonsom SquareHad Patong Road, Patong BeachKathu, Phuket, 83150
Tel: 66-76 340373Fax: 66-76 340873
BANGKOK:
AAA Thai Language Center (Chid Lom):
29 Vanissa Building, 6th floor,Chit-lom Rd., Patumwan, Bangkok 10330Tel: 0-2655-5629 Fax: 0-2655-5629 website: www.aaathai.com
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AUA Natural Thai (Rajadamri):
179 Rajdamri Road, Lumpini, Bangkok, 10330tel (02) 252 8170 ext 399fax (02) 255 4632
-------------------------------------------------------
Berlitz Language Center
22nd Fl, Silom Complex, Silom Rd, Bangkok.
Tel: 0-2231-3652Fax: 0-2231-3656
-------------------------------------------------------
BIS International School
591/9 Between Sukhumvit Soi 33 and 33/1,Behind Villa Supermarket, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok, 10110
Tel: 0-2258 5099Fax: 0-2259 7534
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Boston Academy
395/5 Silom Soi 7Bangrak, Silom, Bangkok, 10500
Tel: 0-2233-7723Fax: 0-2233-7728
Sukhumvit Road. Tel: 0-2229-4519, 0-2653-1265Anusaowaree. Tel: 0-2644-7072-3Lardphrao. Tel: 0-2933-9423
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Inlingua
20th Floor, Liberty Square Building287 Silom Road, Bangrak,Bangkok 10500Tel: (02) 631 1850-3Fax: (02) 631 1854
Central Chidlom, Bangkok: 0-2254-7028Central Pinklao, Bangkok: 0-2884-9255Central Bangna, Bangkok: 0-2745-6246Central Bangkapi, Bangkok: 0-2734-2496
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Nisa Thai Language School (Sathorn):
YMCA Collins House27 Sathorn Tai (South) Road, Bangkok
tel (02) 671 3359-60, (02) 671 3343-44
-------------------------------------------------------
PRO Language (Sukhumvit):
10-01A, 10 Fl. Times Square Building,Sukhumwit Road, between Soi 12-14, Bangkok
tel (02) 250-0072 fax (02) 250 0129
--------------------------------------------------------
Siri Pattana Thai Language School
YWCA13 Sathorn Tai (South) Road, Bangkok.
Tel: (02) 286-1936
---------------------------------------------------------
Somchart Thai Language School
9 Sukhumvit Soi 19,Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok, 10110
Tel: (02) 651-2735-6Fax: (02) 651-2736
---------------------------------------------------------
Taiyo Language School
2221/16 Ramkhamhaeng, Soi 51/2Bangkok 10240
Tel: (02) 319-1390
---------------------------------------------------------
Thammasat University, Faculty of Liberal Arts (Tha Prachan Campus):
tel (02) 613 2608, (02) 613 2675;
---------------------------------------------------------
Thai Solutions
87 Nai Lert Building,Sukhumvit Rd.Nai Lert Building,Sukhumvit Rd.Klongtoey Nue , wattanaBangkok, 10110
tel (02) 655-3146
---------------------------------------------------------
Thonglor Language Center (Sukhumvit):
806 Sukhumvit Soi 38,Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110
Tel: (02) 391-6358, 0-2390-0244Fax: (02) 712-0886
----------------------------------------------------------
Union Language School (Surawong):
CCT Building109 Surawong Road, Bangkok
tel: 02 2334482fax: 02 2334482
-----------------------------------------------------------
Unity Thai Language School (Sukhumvit):
15th Floor Times Square Building, 246 Sukhumvit Road, Khlongtoey, Bangkok 10110
tel (02) 653 1538
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YMCA Language Center (Bangrak):
64/2 Pan Road,Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok, 10500
Tel: 0-2235-0241-2Fax: 0-2235-0240
-----------------------------------------------------------
CHIANG MAI:
Chaing Mai University, Faculty of Education:
contact person – associate professor Sriwilai Ponmanee: tel (053) 221285;
-----------------------------------------------------------
PHUKET:
Anna's Language School and Translation Services
116 Phisitkaranee Rd, Patong BeachKathu, Phuket, 83150
Tel: 66-76 296372, 296599Mobile: 09-8737784Fax: 66-76 296423
-----------------------------------------------------------
Patong Language School
5/19-20 Aroonsom SquareHad Patong Road, Patong BeachKathu, Phuket, 83150
Tel: 66-76 340373Fax: 66-76 340873
Thai Buddhist > Life of a Monk > Phra Farang
The following extract comes from "Phra Farang" by Phra Peter Pannapadipo. He talks about life as a new monk and the difficulties dealing with putting on the robes and going outside for the first time.
The first thing any new monk needs to know is how to dress himself. I had exchanged clothes kept up and held together by zips, belts, buttons, press-studs and Velcro for a large rectangle of cotton and unless it was actually tied in a knot somewhere, I couldn't see how it could stay on. Often mine didn't. It didn't only fall off, it actually seemed to leap off me. I was familiar with monk's robes from my years at the London temple and had often seen monks wrap themselves in their outer robes, but it always seemed to be done so quickly that I still hadn't a clue how to do it myself. Of course, I had never had the opportunity to wear one before. I think any monk would be genuinely horrified if a layman put on the robes, even for practice, before being properly ordained.
In modern times, the monk's wardrobe consists of his outer robe civara (jivorn) and an under-robe antaravassaka (sabong) that is worn around the waist, covering the navel and falling to just below the knees. The sabong is held up by a fold and a tuck and a cord belt. On the top part of his body, under the jivorn, is worn a sort of sleeveless one-shouldered waistcoat (ungsa) which is joined together on the left side by tying tags. For religious services inside the monastery, the monk also wears an additional robe (sanghati) which is folded in a very particular way into a long rectangle and hung over the left shoulder. The monk may or may not wear sandals, depending on the tradition of his particular monastery, though most do. He may carry a soft bag, called a yarm, which is like a shoulder bag but which is carried in the crook of the arm and should never be worn on the shoulder or slung over the back.
The robes come in different sizes and nowadays are usually made of cotton, silk, nylon or some other man-made fabric, but they are always cut to the same pattern and design. They are actually made from many pieces of cloth sewn together in, according to legend, the pattern of the paddy fields of Magadha in Northern India. They are made in many pieces to recall the days when monks made their own robes from bits of cloth found in charnel grounds. The size and way of wearing the outer robe has changed since the Buddha's time and may vary a little from country to country, but however it is worn, the monk should always look neat and his body should be well covered.
In Thailand the jivorn is large and is generally wrapped around the body with the two ends rolled together. This roll is taken over the left shoulder and under the left arm so that its end can be held in the left hand or pressed firmly between the arm and the body. Inside the temple the robe is worn so that the right shoulder is exposed, but outside the temple both shoulders and arms are covered. The colour of the robes varies from monastery to monastery--at Wat Mahadhatu they are a reddish-brown but at others may be anything from very dark brown to brilliant yellow, or even 'day-glo' orange.
On the morning after my ordination I got up at 5 am and tried to dress myself in my outer robe in preparation for breakfast in the section. Then I tried again. And again. The breakfast bell rang and still I seemed to have either too much robe left over or not enough. Chanting from the dining hall signalled the end of breakfast and by then I was in an absolute sweat and still looked like a sack of potatoes, with lumps and bumps and bunches of cloth exactly where they shouldn't have been. One moment the bottom of the robe was at knee height, the next flapping around my ankles. Wrapping the outer robe is actually not a difficult task--once you know how--but I didn't know and I found myself getting intensely irritated. Each time I tried to wrap the jivorn it looked worse than the last time. Even in the early morning my tiny room was stiflingly warm and both my robe and I were wet with sweat. I was quite close to tears of anger and frustration.
"Calm down, calm down" I told myself repeatedly. One of the problems was that I am six feet tall and the ceiling of my room was only inches more. To get a neat roll of cloth to pass over my shoulder, I needed to raise my left arm quite high while rolling the ends of the cloth together. As my room was on the top floor, I eventually clambered out onto the roof, where I had sufficient space to get the robe wrapped around me in something vaguely approaching the correct way, but only very vaguely. I looked a mess and the pigeons were not impressed. Phra Maha Laow's room was in Section 24 at the other end of the monastery, but I managed the distance without anything falling off and he was able to dress me neatly in seconds, as well as offering me his breakfast 'left overs'.
I think my biggest fear as a new monk was of my under-robe falling down in the street. The sabong is held up by a one and a half inch-wide woven belt with two very long cords. The belt and cords are passed around the waist twice and the cords are tied in a bow at the front. The cords are a bit like over-sized versions of round, nylon shoe laces, which I never found stayed tied together as well as the old, flat cotton type. Many monks, including me, wear a key ring at the end of one of the cords and if the ring has several keys on it, they make that end quite a bit heavier than the other--enough to gradually pull a poorly-tied bow undone.
In my first month as a monk, this happened to me as I was descending a very rickety staircase, when for safety I needed to support myself with both arms outstretched. As I came down, I felt an unusual movement under my jivorn and was horrified when my belt slipped down past my knees and around my feet. I knew the sabong wouldn't be long after and it wasn't. I couldn't make a grab for it because I would quite likely have fallen down the stairs, which would have been even less impressive to the group of Thai people who were waiting at the bottom to come up. I sort of hopped out of my sabong, calmly gathered it up, put it in my yarm and walked away with as much dignity as I could salvage.But at least I didn't expose myself to total ridicule as I did on another occasion.
At that time, I was living in a remote country monastery and had to shift some very large rocks. Being in an isolated part of the grounds and as I was working alone, I had taken off my outer robe and ungsa, just leaving my sabong wrapped around me. Staggering under the weight of a huge boulder, with my body arched backwards, I didn't notice that my belt had come adrift--until my sabong started to slide down my legs. There's not a lot one can do when both hands are full of boulder and before I could drop the rock, my sabong was around my ankles, leaving me totally naked (except, perversely, for the belt, which was still hanging loosely around my waist). I had thought I was alone but loud screams of delighted laughter from behind a bush told me that, as usual, some of the village children had come to see what the strange foreign monk was up to. After that, I started to tie my belt so tightly I often gave myself stomach ache!
I'm not sure at what point dressing myself neatly and securely became second nature, but of course it did eventually and now I can't see why I ever thought it was such a problem. I had to learn to dress myself and learn many other practical daily matters as soon as I could, because Phra Maha Laow was due to return to London a few weeks after my ordination. He devoted endless hours in trying to teach me not only how to dress but also how to walk in the robes, how to sit on the floor, change position,get up, how to make a triple bow to a senior monk and so on. I had already picked up a lot of tips simply from watching the monks at Wat Buddhapadipa, but there was a great deal more I hadn't noticed nor even thought about. Many Thai men, especially in rural areas, wear little other than a sarong for much of the time and many of their daily activities are done at floor level. They know instinctively how to make these movements neatly, politely and modestly. But I have also seen 'city bred' new monks who don't, and they are frequently as immodest as I sometimes was.
Just about every aspect of the monks' behaviour is governed by the Vinaya--the 227 training rules--many of which were laid down by the Buddha himself. They include almost every daily action and it is very necessary for a monk to know all these rules and to understand the reasons for them. At the time of my ordination, I knew the most important rules but there were many other 'minor' ones and even more Thai traditional rules and customs that I didn't know.
It is especially important for a Western monk to be aware of the training rules and he must be constantly mindful of his public behaviour and deportment. A Thai monk walking too quickly in the street, or swinging his arms as he walked, would probably go unnoticed by most Thai people simply because there are so many Thai monks. But a Western monk is such an unusual sight anywhere in Thailand that his every movement is watched with great interest and he is more likely to be remarked upon than is his Thai counterpart.
I remember Phra Maha Laow once told me that if there were two monks sitting on a bench, one Thai and one Western, and both were smoking cigarettes, a Thai observer would be quite shocked by the Westerner, but probably wouldn't even notice that the Thai monk was also smoking.* So,my education and training were to be fairly intensive for the first few weeks and Phra Maha Laow would not allow me to go outside the temple until he felt I would be able to conduct myself in public reasonably well.
Even though I am usually a very shy person, I was desperate to walk in the streets as a monk and show myself off. This was pure vanity of course and I knew it even then, but I had to start learning to be patient. Happily, after a few days, Phra Maha Laow decided that I was probably able to behave myself reasonably well and he suggested we should visit Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of The Emerald Buddha, which is only a short walk from Wat Mahadhatu. With my robe properly arranged for walking outside, my totally empty yarm placed on my left arm, and my new and somewhat less-than-stylish plastic sandals with the irritating squeak doused with water to quieten them down a bit, we walked to the gates of Wat Mahadhatu. I was tremendously and unreasonably excited about my first 'public appearance' though of course I could not let my excitement show. Phra Maha Laow had instructed me that I must walk slowly, calmly, with eyes downcast, being careful not to brush up against anybody.
"But Phra Maha Laow, how can I avoid brushing up against people if I'm looking at the pavement?", I asked. "Don't worry", he said, "They'll see you". And see me they did. We must, I suppose, have presented a curious spectacle. Phra Maha Laow is very short, even for a Thai, and I tower over him. It is actually quite impolite in Thai society and especially in Thai monk society, for a junior to have his head higher than that of his senior, but there was little I could do about that except to walk a few paces behind him. Unfortunately being tall I also have a problem about walking slowly. It's not that I walk fast, but my legs are so long that I take huge strides. I tried to walk more slowly by shortening my strides but I found this quite awkward and ungainly, so Phra Maha Laow was constantly whispering to me to slow down as I was frequently close to overtaking him.
Almost the instant we stepped over the threshold of Wat Mahadhatu, I heard someone say "Phra Farang"--foreign monk. The first of dozens of times that day and the first of many hundreds of thousands of times since. Phra Farang ... Phra Farang ... Phra Farang. Even many Thai People who know me quite well, frequently refer to me as Phra Farang rather than as Phra Peter and I have never understood why, not that I care really. I know that many Westerners who visit Thailand feel quite insulted when they are referred to as 'farang', though the Thai people rarely use the word in an insulting way. I have been told by a linguist that Westerners may find the word insulting because it has two syllables, like many of the racially insulting words or taunts that are used in the West. But I wasn't insulted, I was proud to be a Phra Farang. As we walked people smiled at me. I smiled back. In fact I positively beamed until a warning glance from my teacher made me lower my eyes and fix a more neutral expression on my face. But I couldn't keep my eyes downcast for long, not with so many lovely Thai smiles being offered to me.
We certainly didn't have to worry about brushing up against anybody for although the area around Wat Mahadhatu was at that time a market and the footpath was crowded, the crowds simply parted to let us through. "Phra Farang.....Phra Farang.....Phra Farang". Besides smiling, many people also offered me a very graceful wai as we passed--a lovely Thai gesture of both greeting and respect, in which the palms are held together as if in prayer and the finger tips brought up level with the nose.
Of course, my vanity and ego were so inflated by all this that at the time I didn't realise I might just as well have been carrying a big placard saying 'brand new monk'. My head was newly-shaved and shining brightly, whereas Phra Maha Laow's black hair had grown noticeably since the last general head-shaving day two weeks before. My robes still had their brand new sheen and creases, like an unironed new shirt, and although I tried to walk like a monk, it must have been obvious from the way I kept having to hitch my robe onto my shoulder, and my whole general demeanour, that I was new at all this. That didn't stop people smiling or wai-ing of course, for in my experience, Thai people are usually genuinely delighted that a Westerner has chosen to follow Buddhism and has become a monk in their country, even though they often don't understand why.
But a monk like Phra Maha Laow, with more than 15 years spent in the robes, has developed an air of serenity that cannot be falsified. It cannot really even be learned--it is a reflection of true inner peace and comes from a genuine understanding of what the Buddha taught and from long practise of Buddhist meditation techniques. Thai people seem to instinctively recognise this natural serenity and I didn't have it. None of that occurred to me at the time. There I was, in my lovely new robes and my lovely new hair cut, walking on the streets of Bangkok while total strangers smiled and paid their respects to me. Oh, I was the bee's knees! But not for long......
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SPECIAL THANKS : http://www.thaibuddhist.com/phra_farang.htm
2007-10-21
WAT THAI
Wat Bowon Niwet
This temple is located on Phra Sumen Road in the Bang Lamphu area.
Built in 1829, it is the shrine-hall of Phra Phutthachinnasi, a very beautiful Buddha image which was molded in about 1357. This is one of the most important temples of Bangkok, whose one-time chief abbot was King Rama IV before he ascended the throne. King Rama IV and King Rama VII, as well as His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej had resided here during their monkshood.
Open : Daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2281 2831-3
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Wat Intharawihan
It is an awesome feeling to stand before this Buddha image that reaches to the sky at 32 metres tall.
During the reign of King Rama I he suppressed a rebellion in Laos and brought members of the Lao royal family to settle in this area. One of these was Chao Inthawong, who was a devout Buddhist, helped to restore the local temple which is now Wat Intharawihan.
In 1867, Somdej Phra Buddhachan started the construction of this giant Buddha called Luang Pho To, logs and structural steel were used as alternate abutments. After his death in 1872 construction continued until completion in 1927. This spanned the reigns of King Rama IV to King Rama VII.
Luang Pho To stands 32 metres tall and is 11 metres wide. As it faces east, it is best photographed in morning light.
On two occasions, in 1964 and 1967, Their Majesties The King, The Queen and their children covered this statue of Buddha at the Topknot and forehead with gold leaves.
The Topknot contains relics of The Lord Buddha which were donated by the Government of Sri Lanka and placed there in 1978 by H.R.H The Crown Prince Vachiralongkorn.
For Bangkoks Bi-Centennial Celebrations in 1982, the then Abbot, Phra Khru Woraphattikhun carried out restoration including decoration with 24 K golden mosaics from Italy.
Devotees believe that Luang Pho To can bless everyone with success, particularly if they present the head of a mackerel fish, a boiled egg and a lei of flowers.
How to get there: Bus routes 10, 49
Open daily : 8.30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2628 5550-2
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Wat Mahathat
This old temple was built in the reign of King Rama I. Located on Na Phrathat Road near Thammasat University, the temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand and also offers meditation classes for foreigners.
Open : Daily from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2222 6011; Meditation Centre Tel : 0 2623 5613, 0 2623 6326
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Wat Pho
This is possibly the most interesting temple in Thailand as it combines history, medical science and is a center for meditaion and traditional massage training. Its official name is Wat
Phrachetuphon Vimon Mangkararam Ratchaworamahawihan, although it is commonly called Wat Po.
Founded during the 16th century, Wat Pho is most famous for the golden reclining Buddha that measues 46 metres and has feet inlaid with mother-of pearl. This is the main attraction that draws visitors to the temple. In more modern times, Wat Pho has gained international recognition as a meditation centre and for the traditional Thai massage that is both practiced and taught here.
Traditionally, temples were the schools as there was no formal education system, with monks providing basic lesson in both spiritual and secular subjects. King Rama III turned Wat Po into a major centre for learning in botany, geography and history.
Bas reliefs around one of the main buildings depict the story of the Ramakian which is the Thai adaption of the Indian Ramayana.
For those interested in traditional Thai medicine, there is a pavilion that serves to both impart knowledge and provide treatment. The walls have marble tablets describing basic anatomy and treatments. In the late afternoon, traditional medicine practitioners are there to dispense herbal mixtures. Nearby, there is a cloister where you can have a traditional Thai massage for a very small payment.
How to get there: Bus routes 1, 3, 12, 25,44, 47, 53, 60, 82, 91, 501, 508
Open daily : 8.30 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
Admission : 50 baht
Tel : 0 2222 1969 ; Thai Massage School : 0 2221 3686 http://www.watpho.com/
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Wat Ratchabophit
The temple is located on Fuang Nakhon Road near Wat Pho. Built by King Rama V in 1869, it was in keeping with tradition that each monarch constructed a temple to mark his reign. The temple is a mixture of local and western styles, showing an awakening interest in new ideas and a desire to experiment with them. The exterior of the chapel is in the Thai style, but the interior is decorated in the European style.
Open : Daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2221 0904, 0 2222 3930
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Wat Ratchanatdaram
Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III in 1846. Loha Prasat, the temples main attraction, standing 36 metres high with 37 surrounding spires, is the only one of its kind left in the world. Next to the temple is the area for welcoming an important foreign guest and a memorial statue of King Rama III.
Open : Daily from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2224 8807, 0 2225 5749
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Wat Ratchapradit Sathitmahasimaram
Situated to the north of Saran Rom Park, the temple is relatively small and covers a total area of approximately 2 rai. It was built in the reign of King Rama IV who intended it to be a temple in the Dhammayutika Sect as well as to be one of the 3 major temples as required by an old tradition to be situated within the capital. The place was originally a royal coffee plantation in the reign of King Rama III. With his personal donation, King Rama IV bought the plantation and had a small temple constructed there, naming it Wat Ratchapradit Sathitthammayutikaram. Later, he had the name changed to Wat Ratchapradit Sathitmahasimaram. A place of interest in this temple is Phra Wihan Luang - the royal image hall - which houses mural paintings depicting The Royal Ceremonies over 12 Months and legend of the solar eclipse phenomenon.
Open : Daily from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2222 0855
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Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing
A visit to Wat Suthat Thep Wararam, situated almost in the center
of old Bangkok, gives you an opportunity to see both the Giant Swing and one of the first-class Royal temples. The surrounding area is also worth exploring as there are many shops selling religious items.
The building of the temple was commissioned by King Rama I, the founder of Bangkok, in 1807. Its location in the center of Rattanakosin Island. This was in keeping with the Buddhist belief that it is like Mount Phra Sumeru being the center of the universe. Phra Sri Sakayamunee, the principal Buddha image, was moved from Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai to be placed in Phra Wihan Luang in Wat Suthat in 1808.
Wat Suthat is surrounded by an impressive wall 1.94 metres high and 0.85 metres thick. There are a total of 15 doorways leading into the temple compound. Within the temple grounds the most important building is the Phra Wihan Luang which is the Royal Temple. The mural paintings, covering all the interior walls are some of the finest to be seen anywhere. Each has stone inscriptions describing the pictures.
Surrounding the Royal Temple is Phra Wihan Khot terrace which is really impressive with 156 Buddha statues, mostly in the seated meditative attitude called Smathi.
The chapel, Phra Ubosot at Wat Suthat is possibly the most beautiful in Thailand and is also the largest measuring 72.25 metres in length and 22.60 metres in width.
There are four pavilions (sala) within the compound that are elevated to the height of the temples walls. These are used for various royal functions and for viewing the previous functions at the Giant Swing in front of the temple.
The annual ceremony was held up until the 1930s but was discontinued to the high fatality rate as young men tried to swing high enough to grab a sack of gold on a pole about 25 metres in the air.
How to get there: Bus routes 12, 15, 42, 73, 96, 508
Open daily: 8.30 am. to 9.00 pm.
Admission fee: Baht 20
Contact: Tel: 02 224 9845Website: http://www.watsuthat.org/
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Wat Thepthidaram
Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III with a mixture of Chinese architectural styles. Sunthon Phu, one of Thailand's greatest poets, had resided in this temple during his monkshood from 1840 - 1842.
Open : Daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2222 5067
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Wat Ratchaburana
This temple is located at the foot of the Rama I Memorial Bridge on the Bangkok side. Built in the late Ayutthaya period by a Chinese merchant, it is otherwise known as Wat Liap and is one of the 3 principal temples of the capital which include Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Ratchapradit and Wat Mahathat. It had been regularly restored since the reign of King Rama I through to the reign of King Rama VII, except in the sixth reign. Some of the temples principal buildings, especially Phra Ubosot the ordination hall which houses mural paintings by Khrua In Khong, were badly damaged by bombing during World War II. The buildings were later restored to their good condition as they appear today.
Open : Daily from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.Admission : FreeTel : 0 2225 1595
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Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
This famous Chao Phraya riverbank landmark diagonally opposite the Grand Palace, is best known for a porcelain encrusted 79 metre central pagoda which sparkles in the sun. The temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tian Pier near Wat Pho.
Open : Daily from 7.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.Admission : 20 bahtTel : 0 2465 5640
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Wat Arun
Make sure you set aside one late afternoon to see and photograph this imposing sight at sunset with the Chao Phraya River in the foreground. These photographs will bring back beautiful memories of Bangkok.
The temple was built during the Ayutthaya period and was originally called Wat Makok after the name of the local village Tambol Bangmakok. It means "Village of Olives".
Wat Arun gets its name from Aruna, the Indian god of the dawn, hence its common name The Temple of Dawn.
The location of the temple is in the area that used to be occupied by the palace of King Taksin who re-established the Siamese Kingdom after the fall of Ayuttaya more than two hundred years ago. The main Buddha image is believed to have been designed by King Rama II.
Wat Arun, often called The Temple of Dawn, is one of the most remarkable visual identities of Bangkok. The imposing Khmer-style prang or tower is 104 metres tall and decorated with bits of porcelain that was used as ballast by boats coming from China. It is surrounded by four smaller prangs. Construction of the prangs were started by King Rama II and completed by King Rama II.
The central balcony is an ideal spot for looking across the river to The Grand Palace and The Temple of The Emerald Buddha.
Each year at the end of the three-month lent period for Buddhist monks, H. M. The King or his appointed representative travels down river in a Royal Barge Procession to present new robes to the monks. This ceremony is called Royal Tod Kathin.
How to get there: Bus routes 19, 57, 83
Open daily: 7.30 am. to 5.30 pm.
Admission fee: Baht 20Contact: Tel: 0 2465 5640
Website: http://www.wararun.org/
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Wat Benchamabophit
To stand at the main gateway and look upon the Monastery of Five Kings is a sight to behold. The perfect symmetry and proportions must inspire admiration of this architectural masterpiece. Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram is known to foreigners as The Marble Temple as its exterior is clad in Carrara marble. Very talented The Prince Naris, a son of King Rama IV , designed the main building which was completed during the reign of King Rama V.
The interior crossbeams are decorated with lacquer and gold. The walls of the spacious inner courtyard are lined with a large collection of bronze Buddha images. The canal in front and to the left hand side has ornate bridges. It is advisable to come in the early morning to see local people offering alms to the monks as they do not go outside as monks at other temple do. Stand at the main entrance to the compound and watch the pigeons take flight. If you cant be there at this time, go at sunset when the main doors are illuminated. This is another sight well worth witnessing.
How to get there: Bus routes 72, 503
Open : Daily from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Admission : 20 Baht
Tel : 0 2281 2501, 0 2628 7947
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Wat Sa Ket and The Golden Mount
This landmark, on the only hill in Bangkok, is of great significance for all followers of The Lord Buddha. 320 stairs take you up to the top for panoramic views of the Rattanakosin Island.
The Golden Mount is on a man-made hill with a diameter of 500 metres and soars 100 metres to the sky. There was a small chedi on this site and after it collapsed, King Rama III commissioned the constructed of a much larger one which was completed during the reign of King Rama V.
In 1877, King Rama V brought the Buddha relic in the custody of the Royal Chakri family from the Grand Palace to the Royal Pavilion at Wat Saket. It was then enshrined in the in the pagoda on top of the Golden Mount.
Two decades later, Marquis Curzon, the British Viceroy of India, presented more Buddha relics near the Nepalese border to King Rama V. These were enshrined in a bronze pagoda in 1899 and installed on the top of the Golden Mount.
The temple, Wat Saket, was built during the reign of King Rama I and is the location for a festival each November that includes a climb to the top of the Golden Mount.
How to get there: Bus route 15, 37, 47, 49
Open daily : 7.30 am. - 5.30 pm.
Admission : 10 baht
Tel : 0 2621 0576
The Golden Buddha is believed to be 700 to 800 years old as it is in the Mara attitude, typical of the Sukhothai era. It was installed at Wat Phrayakrai in the Yannawa area of Bangkok during the reign of King Rama III where it stayed until 1931.
The temple had fallen out of use and was abandoned so the Ecclesiastical Commission had it relocated at Wat Trai Mit.
At this time, no one seemed to know that it was made of pure gold.
Then in 1955, Reverend Phra Visutha-thibordee, the presiding abbot at the temple had supervised the construction of the temple building to house the Buddha. When it was being moved into its new position, the covering plaster was damaged revealing what was inside - Buddha image cast in 18 carat gold.
It is believed that the original Golden Buddha was disguised under the plaster covering to hide it from enemies during the Ayutthaya period. Photographs of different stages of the plaster removal are displayed in the Wihan.
How to get there: Metro to Hua Lamphong Station.Bus routes 4, 7, 21, 25, 501, 511, 513
Open: Daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: 20 baht
Tel: 0 2225 9775
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SPECIAL THANKS : by Tourism Authority of Thailand.
This temple is located on Phra Sumen Road in the Bang Lamphu area.
Built in 1829, it is the shrine-hall of Phra Phutthachinnasi, a very beautiful Buddha image which was molded in about 1357. This is one of the most important temples of Bangkok, whose one-time chief abbot was King Rama IV before he ascended the throne. King Rama IV and King Rama VII, as well as His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej had resided here during their monkshood.Open : Daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2281 2831-3
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Wat Intharawihan
It is an awesome feeling to stand before this Buddha image that reaches to the sky at 32 metres tall.
During the reign of King Rama I he suppressed a rebellion in Laos and brought members of the Lao royal family to settle in this area. One of these was Chao Inthawong, who was a devout Buddhist, helped to restore the local temple which is now Wat Intharawihan.
In 1867, Somdej Phra Buddhachan started the construction of this giant Buddha called Luang Pho To, logs and structural steel were used as alternate abutments. After his death in 1872 construction continued until completion in 1927. This spanned the reigns of King Rama IV to King Rama VII.
Luang Pho To stands 32 metres tall and is 11 metres wide. As it faces east, it is best photographed in morning light.
On two occasions, in 1964 and 1967, Their Majesties The King, The Queen and their children covered this statue of Buddha at the Topknot and forehead with gold leaves.
The Topknot contains relics of The Lord Buddha which were donated by the Government of Sri Lanka and placed there in 1978 by H.R.H The Crown Prince Vachiralongkorn.
For Bangkoks Bi-Centennial Celebrations in 1982, the then Abbot, Phra Khru Woraphattikhun carried out restoration including decoration with 24 K golden mosaics from Italy.
Devotees believe that Luang Pho To can bless everyone with success, particularly if they present the head of a mackerel fish, a boiled egg and a lei of flowers.
How to get there: Bus routes 10, 49
Open daily : 8.30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2628 5550-2
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Wat MahathatThis old temple was built in the reign of King Rama I. Located on Na Phrathat Road near Thammasat University, the temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand and also offers meditation classes for foreigners.
Open : Daily from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2222 6011; Meditation Centre Tel : 0 2623 5613, 0 2623 6326
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Wat Pho
This is possibly the most interesting temple in Thailand as it combines history, medical science and is a center for meditaion and traditional massage training. Its official name is Wat
Phrachetuphon Vimon Mangkararam Ratchaworamahawihan, although it is commonly called Wat Po.Founded during the 16th century, Wat Pho is most famous for the golden reclining Buddha that measues 46 metres and has feet inlaid with mother-of pearl. This is the main attraction that draws visitors to the temple. In more modern times, Wat Pho has gained international recognition as a meditation centre and for the traditional Thai massage that is both practiced and taught here.
Traditionally, temples were the schools as there was no formal education system, with monks providing basic lesson in both spiritual and secular subjects. King Rama III turned Wat Po into a major centre for learning in botany, geography and history.
Bas reliefs around one of the main buildings depict the story of the Ramakian which is the Thai adaption of the Indian Ramayana.
For those interested in traditional Thai medicine, there is a pavilion that serves to both impart knowledge and provide treatment. The walls have marble tablets describing basic anatomy and treatments. In the late afternoon, traditional medicine practitioners are there to dispense herbal mixtures. Nearby, there is a cloister where you can have a traditional Thai massage for a very small payment.
How to get there: Bus routes 1, 3, 12, 25,44, 47, 53, 60, 82, 91, 501, 508
Open daily : 8.30 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
Admission : 50 baht
Tel : 0 2222 1969 ; Thai Massage School : 0 2221 3686 http://www.watpho.com/
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Wat Ratchabophit
The temple is located on Fuang Nakhon Road near Wat Pho. Built by King Rama V in 1869, it was in keeping with tradition that each monarch constructed a temple to mark his reign. The temple is a mixture of local and western styles, showing an awakening interest in new ideas and a desire to experiment with them. The exterior of the chapel is in the Thai style, but the interior is decorated in the European style.
Open : Daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2221 0904, 0 2222 3930
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Wat Ratchanatdaram
Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III in 1846. Loha Prasat, the temples main attraction, standing 36 metres high with 37 surrounding spires, is the only one of its kind left in the world. Next to the temple is the area for welcoming an important foreign guest and a memorial statue of King Rama III.
Open : Daily from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2224 8807, 0 2225 5749
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Wat Ratchapradit Sathitmahasimaram
Situated to the north of Saran Rom Park, the temple is relatively small and covers a total area of approximately 2 rai. It was built in the reign of King Rama IV who intended it to be a temple in the Dhammayutika Sect as well as to be one of the 3 major temples as required by an old tradition to be situated within the capital. The place was originally a royal coffee plantation in the reign of King Rama III. With his personal donation, King Rama IV bought the plantation and had a small temple constructed there, naming it Wat Ratchapradit Sathitthammayutikaram. Later, he had the name changed to Wat Ratchapradit Sathitmahasimaram. A place of interest in this temple is Phra Wihan Luang - the royal image hall - which houses mural paintings depicting The Royal Ceremonies over 12 Months and legend of the solar eclipse phenomenon.
Open : Daily from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2222 0855
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Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing
A visit to Wat Suthat Thep Wararam, situated almost in the center
of old Bangkok, gives you an opportunity to see both the Giant Swing and one of the first-class Royal temples. The surrounding area is also worth exploring as there are many shops selling religious items.The building of the temple was commissioned by King Rama I, the founder of Bangkok, in 1807. Its location in the center of Rattanakosin Island. This was in keeping with the Buddhist belief that it is like Mount Phra Sumeru being the center of the universe. Phra Sri Sakayamunee, the principal Buddha image, was moved from Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai to be placed in Phra Wihan Luang in Wat Suthat in 1808.
Wat Suthat is surrounded by an impressive wall 1.94 metres high and 0.85 metres thick. There are a total of 15 doorways leading into the temple compound. Within the temple grounds the most important building is the Phra Wihan Luang which is the Royal Temple. The mural paintings, covering all the interior walls are some of the finest to be seen anywhere. Each has stone inscriptions describing the pictures.
Surrounding the Royal Temple is Phra Wihan Khot terrace which is really impressive with 156 Buddha statues, mostly in the seated meditative attitude called Smathi.
The chapel, Phra Ubosot at Wat Suthat is possibly the most beautiful in Thailand and is also the largest measuring 72.25 metres in length and 22.60 metres in width.
There are four pavilions (sala) within the compound that are elevated to the height of the temples walls. These are used for various royal functions and for viewing the previous functions at the Giant Swing in front of the temple.
The annual ceremony was held up until the 1930s but was discontinued to the high fatality rate as young men tried to swing high enough to grab a sack of gold on a pole about 25 metres in the air.
How to get there: Bus routes 12, 15, 42, 73, 96, 508
Open daily: 8.30 am. to 9.00 pm.
Admission fee: Baht 20
Contact: Tel: 02 224 9845Website: http://www.watsuthat.org/
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Wat Thepthidaram
Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III with a mixture of Chinese architectural styles. Sunthon Phu, one of Thailand's greatest poets, had resided in this temple during his monkshood from 1840 - 1842.
Open : Daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2222 5067
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Wat Ratchaburana
This temple is located at the foot of the Rama I Memorial Bridge on the Bangkok side. Built in the late Ayutthaya period by a Chinese merchant, it is otherwise known as Wat Liap and is one of the 3 principal temples of the capital which include Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Ratchapradit and Wat Mahathat. It had been regularly restored since the reign of King Rama I through to the reign of King Rama VII, except in the sixth reign. Some of the temples principal buildings, especially Phra Ubosot the ordination hall which houses mural paintings by Khrua In Khong, were badly damaged by bombing during World War II. The buildings were later restored to their good condition as they appear today.
Open : Daily from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.Admission : FreeTel : 0 2225 1595
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Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
This famous Chao Phraya riverbank landmark diagonally opposite the Grand Palace, is best known for a porcelain encrusted 79 metre central pagoda which sparkles in the sun. The temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tian Pier near Wat Pho.
Open : Daily from 7.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.Admission : 20 bahtTel : 0 2465 5640
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Wat Arun
Make sure you set aside one late afternoon to see and photograph this imposing sight at sunset with the Chao Phraya River in the foreground. These photographs will bring back beautiful memories of Bangkok.
The temple was built during the Ayutthaya period and was originally called Wat Makok after the name of the local village Tambol Bangmakok. It means "Village of Olives".
Wat Arun gets its name from Aruna, the Indian god of the dawn, hence its common name The Temple of Dawn.
The location of the temple is in the area that used to be occupied by the palace of King Taksin who re-established the Siamese Kingdom after the fall of Ayuttaya more than two hundred years ago. The main Buddha image is believed to have been designed by King Rama II.
Wat Arun, often called The Temple of Dawn, is one of the most remarkable visual identities of Bangkok. The imposing Khmer-style prang or tower is 104 metres tall and decorated with bits of porcelain that was used as ballast by boats coming from China. It is surrounded by four smaller prangs. Construction of the prangs were started by King Rama II and completed by King Rama II.
The central balcony is an ideal spot for looking across the river to The Grand Palace and The Temple of The Emerald Buddha.
Each year at the end of the three-month lent period for Buddhist monks, H. M. The King or his appointed representative travels down river in a Royal Barge Procession to present new robes to the monks. This ceremony is called Royal Tod Kathin.
How to get there: Bus routes 19, 57, 83
Open daily: 7.30 am. to 5.30 pm.
Admission fee: Baht 20Contact: Tel: 0 2465 5640
Website: http://www.wararun.org/
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Wat Benchamabophit
To stand at the main gateway and look upon the Monastery of Five Kings is a sight to behold. The perfect symmetry and proportions must inspire admiration of this architectural masterpiece. Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram is known to foreigners as The Marble Temple as its exterior is clad in Carrara marble. Very talented The Prince Naris, a son of King Rama IV , designed the main building which was completed during the reign of King Rama V.
The interior crossbeams are decorated with lacquer and gold. The walls of the spacious inner courtyard are lined with a large collection of bronze Buddha images. The canal in front and to the left hand side has ornate bridges. It is advisable to come in the early morning to see local people offering alms to the monks as they do not go outside as monks at other temple do. Stand at the main entrance to the compound and watch the pigeons take flight. If you cant be there at this time, go at sunset when the main doors are illuminated. This is another sight well worth witnessing.
How to get there: Bus routes 72, 503
Open : Daily from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Admission : 20 Baht
Tel : 0 2281 2501, 0 2628 7947
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Wat Sa Ket and The Golden Mount
This landmark, on the only hill in Bangkok, is of great significance for all followers of The Lord Buddha. 320 stairs take you up to the top for panoramic views of the Rattanakosin Island.
The Golden Mount is on a man-made hill with a diameter of 500 metres and soars 100 metres to the sky. There was a small chedi on this site and after it collapsed, King Rama III commissioned the constructed of a much larger one which was completed during the reign of King Rama V.
In 1877, King Rama V brought the Buddha relic in the custody of the Royal Chakri family from the Grand Palace to the Royal Pavilion at Wat Saket. It was then enshrined in the in the pagoda on top of the Golden Mount.
Two decades later, Marquis Curzon, the British Viceroy of India, presented more Buddha relics near the Nepalese border to King Rama V. These were enshrined in a bronze pagoda in 1899 and installed on the top of the Golden Mount.
The temple, Wat Saket, was built during the reign of King Rama I and is the location for a festival each November that includes a climb to the top of the Golden Mount.
How to get there: Bus route 15, 37, 47, 49
Open daily : 7.30 am. - 5.30 pm.
Admission : 10 baht
Tel : 0 2621 0576
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Wat Trai Mit
Have you ever seen five and a half tons of gold? Wat Trai Mit, near the Bangkok Railway Station at Hua Lamphong, is home to the famous Golden Buddha which is 3 metres high.
The Golden Buddha is believed to be 700 to 800 years old as it is in the Mara attitude, typical of the Sukhothai era. It was installed at Wat Phrayakrai in the Yannawa area of Bangkok during the reign of King Rama III where it stayed until 1931.
The temple had fallen out of use and was abandoned so the Ecclesiastical Commission had it relocated at Wat Trai Mit.
At this time, no one seemed to know that it was made of pure gold.
Then in 1955, Reverend Phra Visutha-thibordee, the presiding abbot at the temple had supervised the construction of the temple building to house the Buddha. When it was being moved into its new position, the covering plaster was damaged revealing what was inside - Buddha image cast in 18 carat gold.
It is believed that the original Golden Buddha was disguised under the plaster covering to hide it from enemies during the Ayutthaya period. Photographs of different stages of the plaster removal are displayed in the Wihan.
How to get there: Metro to Hua Lamphong Station.Bus routes 4, 7, 21, 25, 501, 511, 513
Open: Daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: 20 baht
Tel: 0 2225 9775
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SPECIAL THANKS : by Tourism Authority of Thailand.
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