On the northern part of the island on Ayutthaya sits a small memorial thst most people have no idea about. It’s the childhood house of Thailands 8th prime minister, Pridi Panomyong.
Born in Ayutthaya in 1900, Pridi Panomyong was among the most influential and controversial Thai figures of the 20th century.
Pridi was instrumental in Thailand’s 1932 shift from absolute to constitutional monarchy. He then founded Thammasat University and took on several key ministerial posts prior to World War II, when he left the country and organised a “Free Thai” movement to resist the Thai military government’s alliance with Imperial Japan.
Pridi returned to briefly serve as Thai prime minister in 1946 and went on to resist subsequent military governments, taking exile abroad after a failed coup attempt in 1949. In 2000, 17 years after his death, UNESCO named Pridi as one of the world’s great personalities of the 20th century. He is widely credited with introducing constitutional government and democracy to Thailand.
The memorial to him is worth a short visit if you are happen to be near it but it’s small with no information in English. It’s something a dedicated history buff might enjoy.
Wat Suan Phlu (วัดสวนพลู) is a serene Buddhist temple located in the Bang Rak district of Bangkok, Thailand, near Charoen Krung Road and close to Saphan Taksin BTS station and the Shangri-La Hotel.
The temple was established around 1797 AD (พ.ศ. 2340) during the early Rattanakosin period. It was originally named Wat Khlong Lom (วัดคลองล้อม), due to a large canal (Khlong Silom) that once surrounded it, wide enough for Chinese merchant boats to turn around. The name later changed to Wat Suan Phlu, meaning “betel garden temple,” reflecting the betel nut plantations grown by Chinese immigrants in the area during the early Bangkok era—betel chewing was popular for strengthening teeth and facial beauty.
It received its wisungkhamasima (consecrated boundary) in 1848 AD (พ.ศ. 2391). Note that some sources confuse it with older Ayutthaya-era temples sharing similar names, but this Wat Suan Phlu dates to the late 18th century.
This small, peaceful community...
For decades, Trok Mor morning market has been going strong right under the noses of travellers in the historic Rattanakosin district. For most travelers they never get a chance to explore some of the narrow sois (streets) in Thailand. If you adventure out you get to see scenes like this being played out everyday, at all times of the day as well, in Bangkok.
The market along Trok Mor (aka Soi Thesa) quietly takes place every morning within easy walking distance of Bangkok’s biggest tourist attractions. Many of the vendors have spent a lifetime here.
Trok Mor looks and feels like it was frozen in a time before glossy highrises and shopping malls came to define much of Bangkok.
You are near Khao San Road but free of the hustle of people trying to sell you a tour or something you are not interested in. Prices seem 15 years behind the rest of the city as well as free from the oppressive atmosphere you find in more touristy places.
Trok Mor Morning Market - Soi Thesa - Bangkok Thailand ...
Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha Sikh Temple is the 2nd largest Sikh temple outside of India. It’s located in the “old town” of Bangkok in what is known as Little India.
The gold dome of the temple stands out and is difficult to miss. The entrance is a bit more hidden but it is close to the Pahurat Market. This market sells colorful textiles on the streets as well as a 4 story mall near the temple. The temple is open to the public everyday and closes at 10:00 am.
The temple is well worth a visit if you are in the area and is a nice addition to a holiday especially if you’ve already done a few Thai temple tours. From the 6th story of the temple you can see some nice views of the area and see up into nearby Chinatown.
This construction has some historical and cultural value in that it actually dates back to 1932 and is the second largest Sikh temple outside of India.
The temple has something of a reputation for being welcoming, a fact made obvious by the daily buffet of vegetarian food ...
