In 1760, King Alaungpaya of Burma ordered an invasion of Myeik, which was a part of Ayutthaya Kingdom. At that time, Khun Rong Palat Chu, a well-known fighter, grouped up and led four hundred sword-fighters under the name 'Kong Attamat' to accompany the army. His group received a command to obstruct the Burma's army at Wa Khao Bay.
The battle began and continued through night until noon the next day. Although many Burmese soldiers were killed in the melee, the smaller number of Thai soldiers could not resist the larger opponent's army and lost their lives in the war. Some were herded and drown in the sea, some were crushed by elephants.
This tragedy discouraged the whole town of Wiset Chai Chan; villagers were too overwhelmed with the lost to do anything. As a sign of moving forward and memorial for the sacrifice of the brave soldiers , Wat Si Roi (literally meaning 'four hundreds' temple) was founded in 1770 to enshrine 'the spirits' of the Wiset Chai Chan soldiers.
Another great temple ...
Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat
Large Royal temple in Lopburi founded by the Khmer 800 years ago.
The Wat Phra Sri Mahathat is a large Royal temple in the center of Lopburi. The temple was founded when Lopburi was under control of the Khmer empire from Angkor, in present day Cambodia.
The eight acres complex which is little visited by foreign tourists houses structures from several periods, the oldest ones being the main prang dating back around 800 years.
Khmer style Prang
The main prang was built by the Khmer in the Bayon style in the late 12th or early 13th century. Standing on a platform, it was probably flanked by similar prangs of smaller size, of which virtually nothing is left. On the West side a portico protrudes out from the structure, giving access to the prang’s interior.
The prang was adorned with fine stuccoed artwork depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha, some of which are still intact. Inside is the cella, the room where the Khmer people worshipped the linga, the representation...
Chinese New Year in Bangkok 2026, the year of the horse, on Yaowarat Road.
Chinese New Year in Bangkok brings one of the most exhilarating celebrations to Yaowarat Road in the middle of Bangkok’s Chinatown. The entire street comes to life with crowds of worshippers, exploding firecrackers, and dragon dancers. This time of year, families of Chinese descent gather to join in the street celebrations.
This annual event usually takes place around January or February, with exact dates calculated from the Chinese Lunar Calendar.
On New Year’s Day, parents will hand red envelopes called ang pao (containing money) to their unmarried children. Most people start visiting their extended families and relatives to exchange a few oranges and ang pao, as well as wishing them a Happy Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year is one of the most exhilarating times of the year, with dynamic sights and sounds. Shopowners of Chinese descent decorate their places with red paper lanterns, Chinese calligraphy banners, ...
King Narai the Great Reign Festival (also known as the King Narai the Great Fair or งานพระนารายณ์มหาราช in Thai), a major annual cultural event in Lopburi Province, Thailand.
The 38th King Narai the Great Reign Festival, held from February 13 to 22, 2026, at Phra Narai Ratchaniwet Palace and surrounding historical sites in Lopburi Province, transforms the area into a vibrant celebration of Thailand’s rich Ayutthaya-era heritage.
This grand 10-day and 10-night event honors King Narai the Great, the renowned monarch who ruled from 1656 to 1688 and elevated Lopburi (ancient Lavo) as a secondary capital, fostering prosperity, diplomacy, and international trade.
The festival’s theme, “Lavo Identity: Honoring King Narai the Great and Her Majesty the Queen Mother of All Thais,” pays tribute to his legacy while highlighting the gracious contributions of Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother in preserving traditional arts, such as mudmee silk, deeply tied to the ...
