2. Highlights, Special Moments and Places

Thailand - A Land of Wats & Culture!

The Grand Palace (Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. The palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand and that is where this show starts. From there I move around some of the more memorable religious sites I encountered in five trips to this beautiful country. Comprehensive travelogues are in the International Travel Section of this website. I hope you enjoy Thailand as much as I have.
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  • The Grand Palace - Bangkok, Thailand.

    The Grand Palace - Bangkok, Thailand.

  • The Grand Palace - Bangkok, Thailand.

    The Grand Palace - Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Decorative treatments on the grounds of the Grand Palace - Bangkok, Thailand.

    Decorative treatments on the grounds of the Grand Palace - Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Among many decorative wall treatments at the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand.

    Among many decorative wall treatments at the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Wat Po is a Buddhist temple complex in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the Rattanakosin district directly adjacent to the Grand Palace.[2] Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn.

    Wat Po is a Buddhist temple complex in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the Rattanakosin district directly adjacent to the Grand Palace.[2] Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn.

  • The Reclining Budda Image at Wat Po.

    The Reclining Budda Image at Wat Po.

  • Wat Arun (aka., "Temple of Dawn") is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok's Yai district , on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, which was often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks and the first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple with pearly iridescence. Although the temple had existed since at least the seventeenth century, its distinctive prang (spires) were built in the early nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama II.

    Wat Arun (aka., "Temple of Dawn") is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok's Yai district , on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, which was often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks and the first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple with pearly iridescence. Although the temple had existed since at least the seventeenth century, its distinctive prang (spires) were built in the early nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama II.

  • Taken inside the grounds of Wat Arum - Bangkok, Thailand.

    Taken inside the grounds of Wat Arum - Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Wat Arun taken from the Chaopyra River at night.

    Wat Arun taken from the Chaopyra River at night.

  • A Thailand cultural performance at the Rose Garden, Bangkok, Thailand.

    A Thailand cultural performance at the Rose Garden, Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Grounds of the Ubsot for Aranyawasi, Thailand.

    Grounds of the Ubsot for Aranyawasi, Thailand.

  • Famous monk images recreated in Wat Takarong, north of Bangkok, Thailand.

    Famous monk images recreated in Wat Takarong, north of Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Northern Thailand Karen Village woman chewing on Beetlenut, a local anesthetic.

    Northern Thailand Karen Village woman chewing on Beetlenut, a local anesthetic.

  • Golden Budda statue at Wat Traimit, Thailand. This statue contains five and a half tons of gold. At some point, the statue was completely plastered over to prevent it from being stolen. The statue was covered with a thick layer of stucco, which was painted and inlaid with bits of coloured glass. It is believed that this plastering over took place before the destruction of Ayutthaya kingdom by Burmese invaders in 1767. The statue remained among the ruins of Ayutthaya without attracting much attention.

    Golden Budda statue at Wat Traimit, Thailand. This statue contains five and a half tons of gold. At some point, the statue was completely plastered over to prevent it from being stolen. The statue was covered with a thick layer of stucco, which was painted and inlaid with bits of coloured glass. It is believed that this plastering over took place before the destruction of Ayutthaya kingdom by Burmese invaders in 1767. The statue remained among the ruins of Ayutthaya without attracting much attention.

  • Budda Image on the Mae Kong River, Thailand.

    Budda Image on the Mae Kong River, Thailand.

  • Prang Prathan Grounds in the "up country", north of Bangkok, Thailand.

    Prang Prathan Grounds in the "up country", north of Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Wihan Phraphutthasaiyat, Thailand.

    Wihan Phraphutthasaiyat, Thailand.

  • Wat Phai Lorm, on the river in northern Bangkok, Thailand.

    Wat Phai Lorm, on the river in northern Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a Buddhist temple in the city of Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya.

    Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a Buddhist temple in the city of Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya.

  • Ayutthaya - 2nd Capital of Thailand 1350 - 1767 AD.

    Ayutthaya - 2nd Capital of Thailand 1350 - 1767 AD.

  • Prangs at Ayutthaya, Thailand.

    Prangs at Ayutthaya, Thailand.

  • Wat Maha That, Thailand.

    Wat Maha That, Thailand.

  • A Karen Village woman selling souvenirs and chewing Beetlenuts.

    A Karen Village woman selling souvenirs and chewing Beetlenuts.

  • By the end of the 20th century, the original Wat Rong Khun was in a bad state of repair. Funds were not available for renovation. Chalermchai Kositpipat, a local artist from Chiang Rai, decided to completely rebuild the temple and fund the project with his own money. The artist intends for the area adjacent to the temple to be a center of learning and meditation and for people to gain benefit from the Buddhist teachings. Kositpipat considers the temple to be an offering to Lord Buddha and believes the project will give him immortal life.

    By the end of the 20th century, the original Wat Rong Khun was in a bad state of repair. Funds were not available for renovation. Chalermchai Kositpipat, a local artist from Chiang Rai, decided to completely rebuild the temple and fund the project with his own money. The artist intends for the area adjacent to the temple to be a center of learning and meditation and for people to gain benefit from the Buddhist teachings. Kositpipat considers the temple to be an offering to Lord Buddha and believes the project will give him immortal life.

  • The Sanctuary of Truth, also called Wang Boran and Prasat Mai is a temple construction in Pattaya, Thailand. The sanctuary is an all-wood building filled with sculptures based on traditional Buddhist and Hindu motifs. The top of the building is 105 meters high, and the building covers an area of more than two rai. It features contemporary Visionary art based on various traditional religious themes. The project was initiated as an idea of Thai businessman Lek Viriyaphant in 1981, and is scheduled to be complete in 2050. Since it is all wood and requires renovations after certain time has passed it will be an under construction or renovation structure for all time. The style of the sanctuary evokes Khmer architecture, displaying hand-carved wooden sculptures indicative of the imperial setting at Angkor.

    The Sanctuary of Truth, also called Wang Boran and Prasat Mai is a temple construction in Pattaya, Thailand. The sanctuary is an all-wood building filled with sculptures based on traditional Buddhist and Hindu motifs. The top of the building is 105 meters high, and the building covers an area of more than two rai. It features contemporary Visionary art based on various traditional religious themes. The project was initiated as an idea of Thai businessman Lek Viriyaphant in 1981, and is scheduled to be complete in 2050. Since it is all wood and requires renovations after certain time has passed it will be an under construction or renovation structure for all time. The style of the sanctuary evokes Khmer architecture, displaying hand-carved wooden sculptures indicative of the imperial setting at Angkor.

  • A small showing of the interior details of the Sanctuary of Truth, Thailand.

    A small showing of the interior details of the Sanctuary of Truth, Thailand.

  • Some of the incredible wood details of the Sanctuary of Truth, Thailand.

    Some of the incredible wood details of the Sanctuary of Truth, Thailand.

  • Additional wood details of the Sanctuary of Truth, Thailand.

    Additional wood details of the Sanctuary of Truth, Thailand.

  • Wat Phu Khao Thong. It is huge and located in the Wat Sacket compound. It is estimated at near 300 years old.

    Wat Phu Khao Thong. It is huge and located in the Wat Sacket compound. It is estimated at near 300 years old.

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    The Grand Palace - Bangkok, Thailand.
    Decorative treatments on the grounds of the Grand Palace - Bangkok, Thailand.
    Among many decorative wall treatments at the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand.