Monday, November 22, 2010

Wat Sra Si

Located west of the King Ramkhamhaeng monument and situated on two connected islands, this wat is particularly beautiful and can be noted for its simplicity. A large and beautiful walking Buddha in Sukhothai style dominates the site along with one chedi in Sir Lankan style.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Wat Phra Borommahathat Doi Suthep

Wat Phra Borommahathat Doi Suthep was built in 1383 by King Gue-Na on a plateau commanding an impressive view of the city of Chiang Mai, Thailand's northern capital. The temple contains a pogada that houses a part of the holy relics of the Lord Buddha. Bhuddists from around the world come here to pay worship to the holy temple.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya

This is the most important temple within the Royal Palace compound (similar to the importance of The Emerald Buddha Temple in Bangkok's Grand Palace). In 1500 a 16-meters high standing Buddha was cast by King Ramathipodi II. The image was covered with gold weighing some 170 kilogrammes. In 1767, the burmese set fire to the image to melt off the gold, completely destroying the image and the temple.
Nearby are three ceylonese-style chedis built during the 15th century  to enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthayan kings. These were renovated in 1956.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Wat Phra Singh

   The chapel of Wat Phra Singh houses the image of Phra Buddha Sihing, an image which is highly revered by the Chiang Mai and Thai people alike. The architectural style of the chapel exemplifies the splendours of Lanna-Thai art and culture at its finest. The mural paintings on the walls of temple depict the scenes of Suwannahong and Sang Thong classic literature.

Wat Phra Mahathat

   This temple, north of the former Grand Palace, was the ritual center of the city. Its date is uncertain. What we see today is a 1663 restoration that was done by order of King Prasat Thong. This monastery was the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of the forest dwelling sect. The major construction was the high pagoda or prang which was destroyed by Burmese invaders. When the government undertook to restore all Ayutthaya ruins, the Fine Arts Department excavated the pagoda and found a buried treasure chest containing many valuables. Among objects discovered were a relic of Lord Buddha, placed inside a golden casket, several golden Buddha images in different sized and many other objects in gold, ruby and crystal. These are now housed in Bangkok's National Museum.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Wat Phananchoeng in Ayutthaya

   This monastery located south of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya has no record as to its date of construction or the person causing its construction. It existed before ayutthaya was founded as the capital. The principle image in the Wihan called "Phrachao  Phananchoeng" was built in A.D. 1325, it is a golden Buddha of 19 metres high made of stucco in the attitude of Subduing Evil, considered beautiful, it is most revered by the inhabitants of Ayutthaya

Wat Pho or Temple of the Reclining Buddha

   This famous temple, located next to the Grand Palace, is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was conceived by King Rama I nearly 200 years ago as a source of public education, providing information on subjects such as literature, archaeology, astrology and medicine, and is therefore sometimes called :Thailand's First University". The chapel houses the gigantic gold-plated Reclining Buddha, which is 46 metres in length an 15 metres high with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl soles depicting the 108 auspicious signs of the Buddha.
    The temple is also the headquarter for the Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Bangkok. there are stone plaques and inscriptions describing treatment for various ailments and methods of massage and meditation. Thai-style massage is available in two open plan areas within the temple grounds.

Wat Chiang Man

   located on Ratchaphakkinai Road, this is Chiang Mai's oldest temple and probably dates from 1296. The temple was the residence of King Mengrai, who founded Chiang Mai, and is noteworthy for a chedi supported by rows of elephantine buttresses.
   The temple houses two sacred ancient Buddha images. The larger of the two, Phra Sila (or stone Buddha) is a stone bas-relief which was imported from either India or Sri Lanka around 2,500 years ago. The smaller, Phra Sae Tang Kamani (or crystal Buddha) heighten only around 10 cm and is thought to have originally come from Lopburi around 1,800 years ago. The stupa in this temple imitates the stupa at Si Satchanalai.

Wat Chalong

   Phuket's most beautiful and important Buddhist temple and is the biggest and most ornate of Phuket's 29 Buddhist monasteries.
   Wat Chalong is associated with the revered monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, both much revered by local people because of their role in quelling the miner rebellion in 1876. 
   During World War II when bombs were dropped in the Andaman region, Phuket was spared and the locals attribute Wat Chalong with having the power to deflect even these bombs. Luang Pho Chaem has been worshipped ever since for bringing prosperity to those who pray to him. You can see Thais and visitors from other Asian countries, apply thin sheets of gold to the image in respect to the powers of Luang Pho Chaem.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Wat Arun - Temple of Dawn

Wat Arun or Temple of dawn is an important landmark located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The main shrine, decorated with glazed ornaments and ceramics, rises some 280 feet towards the heavens. Built during the beginning of the Rattanakosin era, the magnificent temple reflects the glory of the Thai culture.

Snake Farm in Bangkok

   The Snake Farm at the Thai Red Cross Society is a popular tourist attraction in Bangkok.  It is visited by scientists, students, and anyone else who has an interest in snakes, snake ecology, or the medical importance of Thailand’s venomous snakes.
   Snake Presentation Times:
Here, our visitors are given a quick overview of some of Thailand’s most dangerous snakes and of the Institute’s production of anti-venom. The Snake Show starts directly afterwards at 10:30am and 02:30pm. Experienced snake handlers tangle with Cobras, Kraits, and Vipers. You may even get to hold a 2-meter long Python! After the demonstration, please feel free to walk through our snake museum, or observe our snakes up closely in their natural habitats.

Royal Barges National Museum

   This dry dock, where several royal barges are displayed, is located on Klong Bangkok Noi off the Chao Phraya River not far from Phra Pin Klao Bridge. These barges were used on Royal and government occasions and formerly served war vessels. One of the most beautiful and well-known barge is "Suphanahong'' used by the King only,  now replaced by the "Narayana Song Suban Rama IX" as the King's Royal Barge. Royal Barges will be used for the Royal river procession for the Kathin ceremony a Buddhist tradition of offering robes to monks, usually during October or November. The Royal barges proceeded during the Rattankosin Bicentennial celebrations. The unique design and decorative details of each barge should be of great interest to all visitors.
   The shed is open to the public every day from 8.30 am-4.30 pm. There is an admission fee of 10 baht. Most of the tourists go by boat. However, it is possible to go by car, and park the car under the Arun Amarin Bridge before crossing Klong Bangkok Noi. Then follow the sign, walking through narrow lane of the housing community of Wat Dusita Ram till the Royal Barges National Museum.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Rose Garden

   Situated about 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of Bangkok, the Rose Garden comprises 70 acres "of lush tropical gardens and manicured lawns." You will enjoy the peace, tranquility and natural beauty most tourists only dream about.
   Here they will relish over 60 acres of landscaped tropical garden, scenic lake and the gentle Nakorn Chaisri River. And, to witness a unique and unforgettable experience of the world-renowned Thai Village Cultural Show. Daily, over 150 performers including elephants vividly portray a fascinating cross section of Thailand’s culture, heritage and way of life settings as authentic as the remote rural villages.
   The 196-room luxury hotel, including seven antique Thai teak houses on a beautiful lake, offers a fitness center, ozone-treated swimming pool, six meeting rooms, and eight larger rooms for hosting conventions and seminars